Smog alert: Elliot Lake, Ranger Lake, Sudbury, Manitoulin

NEWS RELEASE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

********************** A smog advisory has been issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for the following forecast regions:

For: Friday June 24, 2005

- Algonquin - Bancroft - Bon Echo - Brockville - Leeds and Grenville - Burk's Falls - Bayfield Inlet - City of Ottawa - Cornwall - Morrisburg - Elliot Lake - Ranger Lake - Greater Sudbury and Vicinity - Manitoulin - Northshore - Killarney - North Bay - West Nipissing - Prescott and Russell - Renfrew - Pembroke - Barry's Bay - Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake - Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac

The smog advisory for the following forecast region(s) is still in effect: - Barrie - Orillia - Midland: From June 24, 2005 - Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland: From June 24, 2005 - City of Hamilton: From June 24, 2005 - City of Toronto: From June 24, 2005 - Dufferin - Innisfil : From June 24, 2005 - Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand: From June 24, 2005 - Elgin: From June 24, 2005 - Grey - Bruce: From June 24, 2005 - Haliburton: From June 24, 2005 - Halton - Peel: From June 24, 2005 - Huron - Perth: From June 24, 2005 - Kingston - Prince Edward: From June 24, 2005 - London - Middlesex: From June 24, 2005 - Niagara: From June 24, 2005 - Oxford - Brant: From June 24, 2005 - Parry Sound - Muskoka - Huntsville : From June 24, 2005 - Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes : From June 24, 2005 - Sarnia - Lambton: From June 24, 2005 - Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk: From June 24, 2005 - Waterloo - Wellington: From June 24, 2005 - Windsor - Essex - Chatham - Kent: From June 24, 2005 - York - Durham: From June 24, 2005

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 fine 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

www.airqualityontario.com

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