Air Quality Health Index
Monitoring
As air quality fluctuates, the Risk and Safety Services (RSS) team regularly monitors air quality levels inside campus buildings.
RSS works with Facilities to adjust building ventilation and deploy air scrubbers as required.
Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) levels can change throughout the day and are often dependent on changes in wind, temperature, rain and other environmental factors. As such, health risks may also vary throughout the day and this can be monitored using the air quality health index webpage for Kamloops and Williams Lake.
TRU has a smoke management plan which includes monitoring of both AQHI and indoor air quality baselines during non-smoky times as well as during times of increased smoke when there are air quality advisories or smoky skies bulletins.
In order to protect yourself from possible poor air quality, it is best to use the above resources to determine the current risk level, and to then follow the advice provided by the government of Canada.
PurpleAir monitors are devices used to measure air particulates in real-time. Both Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses have these monitors installed. Please click the link for the real-time map of the sensors: PurpleAir Map
Protect yourself from wildfire smoke
Stay indoors
Staying indoors reduces exposure to smoky air when people move to a location with good indoor air quality. During a wildfire, clean indoor air is achieved by:
- Limiting infiltration from outdoors — closing doors and windows and putting air conditioning on re-circulate.
- Limiting sources of indoor air pollution — combustion activities (e.g. cooking with gas, smoking) painting, certain cleaning products, etc.
- Cleaning indoor air — central air conditioning or portable air cleaners.
For more information on ways to improve indoor air quality, visit:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/indoor-air-quality
Cancel or reduce outdoor physical activity / cancel or reschedule outdoor events
People participating in sports or strenuous work outdoors breathe more deeply and rapidly, allowing more air pollution to enter their lungs.
- Activities that occur outside will be not take place or will be rescheduled. Possible examples may include sports events (tournaments, practices), and mass gatherings (arts and cultural events etc.)
Wear an N95 respirator
- Proper use of an N95 half mask face respirator to reduce exposure to the smoke.
- When used properly, respirators can provide a reduction in inhaled fine particulate matter.
- Respirators are widely available and relatively cost effective.
For more information on how to put on a disposable N95 respirator, visit: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/wearing.html#section-4-hdr
