Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the southern Kawarthas region for Tuesday (June 18).
The special air quality statement is in effect for southern Peterborough County, southern Kawarthas Lakes, and Northumberland County.
With hot and sunny conditions expected to cause increasing ground-level ozone concentrations north of Lake Ontario, high levels of air pollution are possible Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Moderate-risk Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values are expected throughout the day, with the potential of short-term high risk AQHI values in the afternoon and evening.
People may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches, or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.
People with lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, can be particularly sensitive to air pollution. They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Pollution can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital visits.
