9:19 a.m. on June 21
The Ministry of the Environment has lifted its smog advisory for Greater Sudbury and vicinity, effective immediately.
Original story
A smog advisory for Sudbury and vicinity has been issued by the Ministry of the Environment.
Hot, sunny conditions, combined with a southwesterly flow of polluted air from the U.S. and local build-up of pollutants are resulting in elevated smog levels across southern, central, and parts of northern and eastern Ontario.
This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
A smog advisory is related to the Air Quality Index (AQI), which rates how clean the air is. The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 100+. Higher numbers mean higher health risks.
A smog advisory is issued when the AQI is expected to reach 50 in the next 24 hours. It can be lifted once the AQI is expected to reach or drops below 50.
Smog is made up of a complex mixture of air pollutants that are sometimes visible, such as a brownish-yellow haze over cities; sometimes not. The two main ingredients of smog are ground-level ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Smog is harmful to the lungs and heart. Even in healthy people, smog can reduce lung function.
Posted by Arron Pickard
