Calgary air quality worsens despite brief improvement

Despite a brief improvement in Calgary's air quality Wednesday morning, conditions deteriorated overnightamid worsening conditions and expanded advisories acrossthe province.

The air quality health index stood at 4 which ismoderate riskaround lunchtime on Wednesday, but hit 10 or high riskby Thursday morning, according to Alberta Environment and Parks.

[Tinyparticles in the smoke] have the ability to go right into our lungs and go directly into the blood stream and they pose real health issues- MandeepDhaliwal, Calgary RegionAirshedZone

Alberta Health Services (AHS) says it is seeing an increase in the number of people going to the emergency room and callingHealth Linkbecause of the air quality.

Since Monday, about 50 people have calledwith concerns, and ERs are seeing a 20 per cent increase in visits over normal rates for respiratory complaints.

Health officials saypeople should be prepared forvariableconditions over the next couple of days.

"The blue sky smoke monitoring system suggests that very quicklyCalgary is going to go from a low-risk range back up to a high, and cycle between the different levels for the next several days," says Dr.JasonCabaj, medical officer with the Calgary health zone.

There is currently a fire ban in Calgary to help reduce smoke in the air.

'Tinyparticles'

Tiny particulates in the haze pose a real health risk, says Mandeep Dhaliwal, the air quality program manager with the Calgary Region Airshed Zone.

"The particles are very small, very tiny and they have the ability to go right into our lungs and go directly into the blood stream and they pose real health issues," hesaid.

Dhaliwal says the air quality is worse in Calgary than inBeijing and New Delhi.

Why is this smoke so bad?

9 years ago

Duration 0:54

Mandeep Dhaliwal explains to CBC reporter Carolyn Dunn why breathing this smoke is so bad for us.

Meanwhile, residents continueto take precautions.

Daycare operator Pamela Deurbroucksays the centre's doors and windows have been shut since Tuesdaymorning, and the 90 kids who attend the centre were kept inside.

"We have opened the windows for a few minutes, just to let some air in because it has been quite warm outside," said Deurbrouck,director of the Panda Child Development Centre in the city'snorthwest.

"Everyone seems happy, the children are content, but we just won't let them out absolutely no way," she added.

Many Calgarians are trying to cope with the haze, even on Twitter.

Air shelters possible

Forest fire smoke blowing in from the northwestern U.S. is reducing visibilityand creating poor air quality over much of southern Alberta.

If the hazy skies persist over Calgary, AHSmay set up special centres for people with respiratory problems.

"If it continues, we'll want to make sure that there are places for people to go to escape the conditions, particularly vulnerable individuals," saidCabaj.

"If the conditions also result in very hot weather, that combination can also increase the risk for people and so we'll be monitoring that very closely," he added.

AHSextended the advisory on Wednesdayto Edmonton, encouraging people to be aware of potential health concernsespecially those with respiratory conditions.

"In the current conditions, even healthy individuals may experience temporary irritation of eyes and throat, and possibly shortness of breath," AHS said in a statement.