Wednesday, June 7, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. | Windsor and Essex County
The following statement can be attributed to Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU):
“With Environment Canada issuing a Special Air Quality Statement for our region due to smoke from wildfires, I want to remind residents of Windsor and Essex County that wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health, even at low concentrations.
Currently, the WECHU recommends that individuals continue to take action to reduce the risk of exposure to wildfire smoke:
- People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
- Stop outdoor activities and contact your health care provider if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness, or chest pains.
- Keep indoor air clean by keeping doors and windows closed.
- Consider using a well-fitted respirator type mask if you are required to work or spend long periods of time outdoors.
- If you have an HVAC system in your home, use the highest rated MERV filter for your system.
- Use an air purifier if available, in rooms in which you spend a lot of time (avoid air purifiers that produce ozone).
- If necessary, take a break from exposure to smoke by temporarily relocating or finding a community location with clean, cool air such as a library, shopping mall, or community centre.
- Be aware of your mental health. If you experience any feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression, contact your mental health care provider for advice or visit https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA.
Be sure to check on friends and family members, especially those who may be more susceptible to smoke. The WECHU will continue to work with our provincial partners to monitor our local air quality and will communicate any changes to these recommendations as the situation dictates.
For more information about the current alert, please visit the Environment Canada website.”