Outdoor air quality and health
Good outdoor air quality supports a healthy way of life.
In the NWT, outdoor air quality is generally very good, but like the weather, it can change very quickly. From traffic pollution to forest fire or wildfire smoke, air pollution has an impact on human health.
Check current air quality conditions
Use the Air Quality Health Index to understand current air quality conditions and learn whether you should change your outdoor activities.
Understand outdoor air pollution
Outdoor air pollution comes from a variety of sources. Even at low levels, air pollution can affect your health.
For information about air quality monitoring in the Northwest Territories, visit Monitoring Air Quality in the Northwest Territories.
For wildfire smoke forecasts and fire information, visit FireSmoke Canada.
Learn how wildfire smoke affects your health
Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles.
It is a unique form of air pollution because it can contain very high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) which penetrates deeper into the lungs than other pollutants.
Wildfire smoke also contains other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
In the NWT, wildfire smoke is especially important because fires are frequent during the summer months and smoke can travel long distances, affecting communities far from the fire itself. Wildfire smoke events can last for days or weeks and are often the main cause of poor air quality in the NWT.
Recognize the effects of poor air quality
Poor air quality can affect anyone.
Mild symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- irritated or watery eyes
- headaches
- coughing
- sore throat
- runny nose
In most cases, these symptoms do not require medical attention. Moving to a cleaner air space can help resolve them. For more information on cleaner and cooler air spaces visit Cleaner and cooler air spaces.
More serious symptoms
Moderate to severe symptoms can include:
- dizziness
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- asthma attacks
- severe cough
- wheezing
- heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
If you experience severe symptoms, call 8-1-1 or visit your local health centre. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room or health centre.
Long-term health effects
Consistent, long-term exposure to poor air quality can lead to:
- stroke
- heart attack
- premature death
- reproductive and developmental effects, including low birth weight
Learn who may be more affected by poor air quality
Poor outdoor air quality can affect anyone, but some groups are at a higher risk of health effects.
These groups include:
- seniors and Elders
- pregnant people
- infants and young children
- people who work outdoors
- people involved in strenuous outdoor exercise
- people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity
- people with an existing illness or chronic health condition
Health conditions that may increase risk include:
- cancer
- diabetes
- mental illness
- lung disease
- heart disease
Prepare for poor air quality events
- download the WeatherCAN app and sign up for air quality alerts
- ensure you have enough of your prescribed medications
- talk to your health-care provider about your personal health risks
- make sure windows and doors in your home are properly sealed
- identify cleaner air spaces that you can access if air quality worsens
Protect yourself during poor air quality events
If outdoor air quality is poor:
- check the Air Quality Health Index regularly
- reduce or reschedule outdoor activities when needed
- keep windows and doors closed
- spend as much time as possible in a cleaner air space, especially if you are at higher risk
- avoid strenuous outdoor activities
- consider wearing a face mask if you must spend time outdoors
- drink plenty of water
- monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention if needed
Find additional resources
Northwest Territories resources
- Smoke Exposure from Wildfire: Guidelines for Protecting Community Health and Wellbeing
- Wildfire Smoke and Your Health: Air Quality Self-Assessment Method