Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an Orange Warning for Air Quality for the City of Toronto today. Limit time outdoors and protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. If you must go outdoors, limit your time, physical activity and consider wearing a N95 mask to reduce exposure to fine particles in wildfire smoke.
Air quality alerts now use a colour-coded system (Yellow and Orange) to help people understand air quality warnings to take action. Learn more about the updated alert system.
Air pollution affects health and contributes to premature death and hospitalizations in Toronto. Government actions and programs have helped reduce air pollution in Toronto over the last two decades.
Because of climate change, Toronto, like many parts of North America, is experiencing more poor air quality events due to wildfire smoke. These events may undermine progress made in reducing pollutant levels and protecting public health. Air pollution can affect respiratory (lung) and cardiovascular (heart) health and contribute to other serious health conditions.
Learn more below about air quality, how it affects your health and actions you can take to reduce your exposure.