Climate Change and Health

Air Quality Health Index

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) explained

The Canadian Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is designed to help you understand how outdoor air quality can affect your health, and how you can protect yourself when air quality is poor.

The AQHI is a scale that shows you how the outdoor air around you may affect your health. It uses numbers from 1 to 10+ to communicate the level of relative health risk associated with local air quality.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

The Government of Canada uses AQHI to communicate four main things;

  1. It measures the air quality in relation to your health on a scale from 1 to 10.  The higher the number, the greater the health risk associated with the air quality.  When the amount of air pollution is very high, the number will be reported as 10+.
  2. A category that describes the level of health risk associated with the index reading (e.g. Low, Moderate, High, or Very High Health Risk).
  3. Health messages customized to each category for both the general population and the ‘at risk’ population.
  4. Current hourly AQHI readings and maximum forecast values for today, tonight, tomorrow and the next day.

How to check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

The GNWT’s Department of Environment and Climate Change monitors air quality across the NWT as part of the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) Network. Currently, this network covers the communities of:

  • Fort Simpson
  • Fort Smith
  • Inuvik
  • Norman Wells
  • Yellowknife

For more information on monitoring air quality in the Northwest Territories visit: Monitoring air quality in the Northwest Territories

If your community is not covered by the NAPS Network, use the map below to find your community’s most up-to-date Air Quality Health Index through the NWT Small Air Quality Sensors Network:

Not seeing any air quality information for your community? If you think your community is experiencing a poor air quality event, let us know by sending a photo to: airquality@gov.nt.ca.

How to use the AQHI

Each number within the AQHI scale is associated with health messages; health messages are different for at risk populations and general population. The following table shows the health risk, AQHI number, and associated recommended steps that you can take to reduce your risk.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

Health Risk

Air Quality Health Index

Health Messages

At Risk Population*

General Population

Low Risk

1-3

Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.

Ideal air quality for outdoor activities.

Moderate Risk

4-6

Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms.

No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.

High Risk

7-10

Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy.

Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.

Very High Risk

Above 10

Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion.

Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.

* People considered at risk include: elders and seniors, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with existing medical conditions, people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, and people who spend more time outside due to work or recreation.

Examples of modifying your activities:

  • moving an outdoor event to a safe indoor venue
  • taking regular breaks indoors during outdoor activities (gardening, playing sports, etc.)
  • rescheduling strenuous activities to times when air quality has improved
  • reducing your personal contribution to air pollution

Examples of strenuous activities can include:

  • jogging or running
  • cycling
  • playing sports
  • hiking
  • heavy yard work
  • construction

Additional resources: