Outdoor air pollution and health: Minimizing the effects

On this page

• How to lower your risk of health effects of outdoor air pollution
• What we're doing to reduce air pollution

How to lower your risk of health effects of outdoor air pollution

Follow these tips to reduce your risk of health effects from air pollution.

• Reduce outdoor air pollution coming into your home.
• Avoid or reduce exercising near areas of heavy traffic, especially during rush hour.
  • Exercise in parks and green spaces away from major roads, when possible.
• Choose low-traffic routes for walking, running or cycling, especially during rush hour.
• Know the best times to be active outdoors.
  • Check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) index in your community, especially during "smog season" from April to September. If it isn't available in your area, check your provincial environment ministry website for local air quality information.
• When air pollution levels are high:
  • avoid or reduce strenuous outdoor activities
  • limit time spent outdoors, especially if you are at risk
• Talk to your health care provider about other ways to protect your health when air pollution levels are high. This is especially important for people with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.

What we're doing to reduce outdoor air pollution

Our research on the health effects of smog played a role in developing national air quality standards for particulate matter and ground-level ozone. These standards are an important step in reducing the effects of smog on our health.

We will continue to study the effects of short and long-term exposure to smog-producing pollutants. These studies will lead to more standards and guidelines to help protect you from the health effects of smog.

Learn more about what we're doing to reduce traffic-related air pollution (TRAP).