Exercising outdoors during a heat or smog alert?
High smog and heat levels can be dangerous to health. Toronto Public Health estimates that because of air pollution, every year about 1,700 people die earlier than expected and 6,000 visits are made to hospital because of heart and lung diseases. A smog alert is called when smog conditions reach dangerous levels. Most of Torontos smog comes from the burning of fossil fuels to run motor vehicles and generate electricity. A heat alert is called when the combination of heat, humidity and other weather conditions can be very dangerous. During high smog or heat levels, health risks may increase for: • Those who play sports or exercise outdoors • Cyclists • Others who are active outside (e.g. gardeners) Parents, coaches and others supervising children should be aware of the health risks during a smog or heat alert. How air pollution and heat affect your body When you exercise or do hard physical work in polluted air, you breathe harder than normal and bring dirty air deeper into your lungs.
