Smog advisory issued for Sault and surrounding areas

SooToday.com has received a smog advisory issued by the Ontario Ministry of the
 Environment for the following forecast regions in our area:

Sault Ste. Marie - Superior East - Elliot Lake - Ranger Lake - Greater Sudbury and Vicinity - Manitoulin - Northshore - Killarney

Advisories will remain in effect until further notice.

For more details, visit the Air Quality Ontario website at www.airqualityontario.com

During the smog episode, individuals may experience eye irritation.

Heavy outdoor exercise may cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

People with heart or lung disease including asthma may experience a worsening of their condition.

A Smog Advisory means that there is a strong likelihood that there may be poor air quality within the next 24 hours due to ground-level ozone and/or particulate matter.

Spare the Air Actions

During a smog advisory, there are a number of actions that you can take to help spare the air.

Travel tips - all year round:

• Leave your car at home - walk, cycle, carpool or take public transit
• Tele-conference instead of driving to meetings
• Limit car trips by doing all your errands at once, and do not let your engine idle
• Keep your car well tuned, check your tire pressure and drive at moderate speeds

Health tips:

• Avoid exposure to vehicle exhaust fumes
• Consult your doctor for specific health advice
• Wear light clothing at work while air conditioning is reduced
• Avoid strenuous exercise in the heat of the day

Electricity saving tips:

• Save electricity at home by setting your air conditioner temperature a few degrees higher (health permitting) and turning off lights you are not using

Other pollution reduction tips:

• Leave lawn mowing for another day
• Restrict the use of gasoline-powered equipment
• Delay using oil-based paints, solvents and cleaners