Expand Outdoor Air Quality Monitors and AQHI Across the North (Motion #50-23)

Moved by Signoretti and Gignac:

Approved by Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, September 21, 2023

50-23 EXPAND OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY MONITORS AND AQHI ACROSS THE NORTH

WHEREAS according to recent research, climate change in Ontario is expected to increase the number of wildfires caused by human activity and by lightening by 20% and 62%, respectively, between the periods of 1975-1990 and 2020-2040, and it is expected that the increases will be even greater in parts of Northern Ontario; and

WHEREAS wildfire smoke can impact air quality and cause health effects hundreds of kilometers from the fire zone; and

WHEREAS many northern Ontario communities do not have local outdoor air monitoring stations and therefore do not benefit from the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), a tool for Ontarians to be informed of the health risks from local air pollution and take recommended actions to protect their health; and

WHEREAS there is only one air quality monitoring station within Sudbury and districts that provides data for the AQHI, being one of only five stations across Northern Ontario; and

WHEREAS expanding air quality monitoring stations and the reach of the AQHI to more communities in the North would be benefit communities’ health, and would provide a more robust surveillance system on wildfire smoke impacts;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts endorse the letters dated July 5, 2023 from the Porcupine Health Unit and August 1, 2023, from the Timiskaming Health Unit to the Honourable Minister, David Piccini, calling for the installation of Air Quality Monitoring Stations in their respective service areas; and

FURTHER THAT air quality monitoring stations and the AQHI be expanded across Northern Ontario to improve opportunities for health for all.

CARRIED

This item was last modified on October 3, 2023