TIL that Canada is using a different air quality index than I'm used to except that higher numbers are still worse. The Canadian air quality health index (AQHI) uses a scale from 1-10+, where "10+" as worst, and is based on the effects of air pollution on mortality risk. I noticed this vaguely on my most recent trip, and was just prompted to look it up, so I'll have an idea of what the numbers mean--the weather app on my phone was presenting numbers like "3, worse than yesterday," assuming I'd know what that meant.

The AQHI is calculated based on nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 (small particles), and ground-level ozone. The FAQ about the AQHI says that unlike previous air quality indices, including what the US is now using, the AQHI isn entirely about health effects, not relative to environmental goals, or whether a goal is technically or economically achievable.
pameladean: (Default)

From: [personal profile] pameladean


Wow, yes, that is different. We had a patch of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air that topped out at 134 last night; Cam and I had not before thought ourselves part of a Sensitive Group, but we both had weird symptoms until I thought to check the AQI and we shut the windows and turned up the air cleaners. Ten would read as amazingly good to me.

P.
ethelmay: (Default)

From: [personal profile] ethelmay


I just ran into the Canadian scale myself. We had 195 on the US scale in Seattle yesterday (much better today, but still not good). According to our indoor air monitor I have been able to keep the particle count down, but the volatile organic compounds are still at a worrisome level. Overall the indoor air quality is supposedly fine, but my eyes still hurt a little.
pameladean: (Default)

From: [personal profile] pameladean


Oh, argh, I'm so sorry. I think it's the same smoke we got, but we are not in the very midst of it.

Most houses aren't airtight, I suppose, and indeed much of the time one doesn't want them to be.

Except at moments like this.

P.
switterbeet: A white star spray painted on asphault (Default)

From: [personal profile] switterbeet


Oh cool! I didn't know about this but I'm generally not plugged into air quality metrics (I live in rural southern Ontario).
.

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