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AHS issues air quality advisory

Hazy air lingering over the Foothills could pose a potential health risk, according to Alberta Health Services. On Sunday, AHS issued a precautionary air quality advisory for the Calgary area due to smoke from the wildfires burning in B.C.

Hazy air lingering over the Foothills could pose a potential health risk, according to Alberta Health Services.

On Sunday, AHS issued a precautionary air quality advisory for the Calgary area due to smoke from the wildfires burning in B.C.

The area’s air quality health index is currently at seven, and is expected to drop to four this evening and down to three tomorrow. Low-risk air quality ranges from 1-3, moderate is 4-6 and high is 7-9. Air quality measuring 10 and over is considered very high.

“Right now we have air quality advisories for every area of the province,” said Shelly Willsey, ASH communications personnel.

The area’s air quality is expected to be variable in the coming days and possibly weeks, said Willsey.

“Depending on wind and everything, basically the air quality index can change and it can change quite quickly,” she said. “If it’s a three right now, it doesn’t mean it won’t be a five later.”

Air quality varies in different weather conditions and even in nearby areas, said Willsey.

“Someone in a valley could experience very different air quality from someone on top of a hill,” she said. “We ask people to watch for themselves.”

Those most at risk of health issues as a result of the smoky air are individuals with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Anyone experiencing worsening symptoms are encouraged to take precautions recommended by their physicians, Willsey wrote in a press release.

To avoid breathing the smoky air, Willsey encourages the public to minimize outdoor activity, keep home and vehicle windows closed and keep air circulation fans and vents closed.

High-risk air quality conditions can irritate the eyes and throat and cause shortness of breath.

“It’s pretty individual for people and it depends on the level, too,” said Willsey. “If it’s incredibly smoky out all of us will get a little bit choked up. Healthy people bounce back a lot faster.”

Individuals experiencing symptoms can call Health Link at 811 to speak to a registered nurse. Information about air quality is updated hourly on the Alberta Environment Air Quality website at http://airquality.alberta.ca and is also available at 1-877-247-7333.

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