Health, Safety and Wellness Bulletin - Air Quality Advisory

H&S Bulletin - Special Air Quality Statement for Hamilton

Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for Hamilton and the surrounding regions.

You can find the latest Environment Canada statement at the link below:

Students and employees are encouraged to monitor air quality and follow the direction of Environment Canada or local public health agencies.

Air quality can change quickly and vary considerably hour to hour. Environment Canada is advising the public to take action to protect their health or reduce exposure to smoke.

Recommendations from Environment Canada:

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. Stay inside if you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms.
Keep your indoor air clean. Keep your doors and windows closed if the temperature in your home is comfortable. Avoid air purifiers that produce ozone. Check the filter and change it if required. For more information, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/using-portable-air-cleaner-wildfire-smoke.html .
Take a break from the smoke by temporarily relocating or finding a location in your community with clean, cool air such as a library, shopping mall or community centre. Contact your local health or municipal authorities for more information.
If you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator-type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke. These fine particles generally pose the greatest risk to health. However, respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke. It is important to listen to your body and reduce or stop activities if you are experiencing symptoms.
Be sure to check on people in your care and those around you who may be more susceptible to smoke.
Be aware of your mental health. It is normal to feel anxious or isolated during a smoke event. 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 .
Visit www.airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.

Facilities has been working to ensure that HVAC systems are operating efficiently and, where possible, using MERV 13 or the highest-rated air filter possible. Fresh air dampers are also being limited to mitigate the smoke as much as possible inside buildings.

Mohawk College will continue to monitor the situation via Environment Canada and other local health partners and provide updates if the situation changes.

If you have questions or concerns please contact Health & Safety by email at OHSMohawk@mohawkcollege.ca.