Air quality statements issued by Environment Canada for parts of Alberta

CALGARY -

As if the heat wasn't enough, Environment Canada issued air quality statements for several areas of Alberta on Monday, which remained in place Tuesday morning.

The statements are in place for:

• Calgary
• Edmonton-St. Albert-Sherwood Park
• Airdrie-Cochrane-Olds-Sundre
• Okotoks-High River-Claresholm
• Brooks-Strathmore-Vulcan
• Red Deer-Ponoka-Innisfail-Stettler
• Drayton Valley-Devon-Rimbey-Foremost
• Drumheller-Three Hills
• Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville-Redwater-Smoky Lake
• Leduc-Camrose-Wetaskiwin-Tofield
• Spruce Grove-Morinville-Mayerthorpe-Evansburg

"Stagnant weather conditions under a ridge of high pressure are causing pollutants at the surface to build up with time. The air quality is expected to be at its worst this evening," it read.

"The poor air quality is expected to improve overnight.

"Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk."

Those with lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, can be particularly sensitive to air pollution.

"They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Pollution can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital visits," read the statement.

On the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) which uses a scale of 1 to 10+, Calgary is ranked at a 7 or High Risk through to Tuesday evening, decreasing over the following days.

While the hot dry sun can increase heat stroke, heat exhaustion and sunburns, decreased air quality can be aggravating for people with underlying health conditions and potentially send more people to the doctor and to the hospital.

Paramedics say they are experiencing a spike in heat-related calls over the past few days, and say the most important thing to do on hot days is to plan ahead.

"If you are susceptible to any respiratory problems, or underlying breathing conditions, like asthma, bronchitis or things like that, to factor that in for what your plans are going to be for the day," said EMS spokesperson Stuart Brideaux."

Brideaux also recommends taking breaks out of direct sun.

More information can be found on the Alberta Health Services website.

With files from CTV Calgary's Stephanie Thomas