Air pollution is evaluated and stated as either good, fair, poor or very poor, by comparison with the objectives for each pollutant. The Air Quality Index (AQI) collects and converts individual pollutant concentrations to a number on the AQI scale (below).
AQI Values and Corresponding Human and Environmental Effects
|
AQI Value |
Human Health and Environmental Effects |
|
Below 32 |
Air quality is good – there are no known health effects for the majority of the population |
|
Between 32 and 49 |
Air quality is fair – there may be some adverse effects on very sensitive people |
|
Between 50 and 99 |
Air quality is poor – there may be some adverse effects on sensitive people and animals, or may cause damage to vegetation and property |
|
Over 100 |
Air quality is very poor – there may be adverse health effects on a large number of people and animals as well as plant life and property |
Source: Air Quality Ontario.
Click on the map below to see the number of good, fair and poor days in numerous Canadian cities from the year 1991 to 1995. Note that there is no clear trend between the various years. Instead, the data shows that cities with many poor air quality days tended to have many poor air quality days during most years.
Click on the map or on the text links below:
VANCOUVER |
EDMONTON |
CALGARY |
REGINA |
WINNIPEG |
HAMILTON |
TORONTO
OTTAWA |
MONTREAL |
QUEBEC CITY |
HALIFAX |
ST. JOHN'S
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