AHS tweets on smoky air conditions, advises residents to take precautions

Alberta Health Services Edmonton Zone twitted:

“AHS_YEGZone @AHS_YEGZone Individuals with respiratory or existing cardiovascular conditions may notice a worsening of symptoms, due to the smoky air conditions.”

 

EDMONTON – Smoke from forest fires burning in the Northwest Territories continues to impact air quality across northern Alberta, and this impact is now expected to extend across additional
communities in northern and central Alberta, over the coming days. As such, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is expanding the precautionary air quality advisory first issued on July 7th.
Effectively immediately, the precautionary air quality advisory is now in effect for all communities in the North, Edmonton and Central Zones of AHS.

Residents of, and visitors to, the North, Edmonton and Central Zones of AHS are advised to be aware of and take precautions against potential health concerns that can be associated with
smoky air conditions.

Although minor smoke conditions do not typically cause health concerns in healthy individuals, if smoke conditions become more severe, even healthy individuals may experience temporary
irritation of eyes and throat, and possibly shortness of breath.

If you can taste and/or smell smoke in the air:
 monitor your symptoms;
 minimize physical activity outdoors;
 consider remaining indoors with windows, doors and outdoor air circulation fans/vents
closed.

Individuals with respiratory conditions (such as COPD and asthma), and individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions (such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure),
may notice a worsening of symptoms, due to the smoky air conditions. These individuals should monitor for worsening of symptoms and take the precautions routinely recommended by their physicians if a worsening of symptoms does occur.

Individuals experiencing symptoms can also call Health Link Alberta 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free at 1.866.408.LINK (5465), to speak to a registered nurse.

Air quality varies with weather conditions and prevailing winds. Because air quality is expected to be variable across the North, Edmonton and Central Zones, this advisory will remain in effect
until further notice.