Air Quality Explained

PRAMP uses a range of methods to collect air quality data, including continuous ambient air monitoring stations, passive monitors, small sensors, and volatile organic compound sampling. All data is carefully reviewed by PRAMP technical experts to ensure accurate, timely information that supports public reporting and protects community health.

Air Quality Health Index

Learn what the air quality around you means to your health

PRAMP’s AQHI Station in Grimshaw provides data that is used to calculate the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI).

The AQHI provides a number from 1 to 10 indicating the level of relative health risk associated with local air quality. The higher the AQHI number, the greater the health risk and the need to take precautions. Occasionally, during extreme pollution events, such as a wildfire smoke event, AQHI levels may reach 10 or 10+, indicating a very high health risk.

The formula for calculating the national AQHI is based on research conducted by Health Canada, using health and air quality data collected in major cities across Canada.

The AQHI represents the relative risk posed by a mixture of common air pollutants known to harm human health. Three pollutants were chosen as indicators of the overall outdoor air mixture and can threaten human health even at low levels of exposure, especially among those with pre-existing health problems.

  1. Ground-level ozone (O3) is formed by photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. It mainly comes from vehicle and industrial emissions in urban centres. It can be a major component of smog during the summer, especially on hot, sunny days, and is generally low in the winter. Ozone can be transported long distances and can be responsible for large regional air pollution episodes.
  2. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) is a mixture of tiny airborne particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. These particles can be emitted directly by vehicles and industrial facilities, by natural sources such as wildfires, or formed indirectly through chemical reactions among other pollutants. Particulate matter can reflect both local and widespread sources of air pollution.
  3. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is released by motor vehicle emissions and industrial processes that rely on fossil fuels. Nitrogen dioxide contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. It is often elevated near high-traffic roadways and local industrial sources.
Alberta Government AQHI Map
Alberta Government AQHI

How Air Quality Monitoring Works

Air Pollution Sources

Pollution is emitted into the air from a variety of anthropogenic (human-made) and natural sources.

Monitoring

PRAMP air monitoring stations and other monitoring sites measure air pollutant concentrations.

Data Management

This data is collated for regulatory and stakeholder reporting and analyzed for insights and trends in air quality.

Quality Assurance and Validation

All data and reports are scrutinized to ensure accuracy.

Data Reports and Public Information

This data is used to calculate the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and is available at prampairshed.ca or Air Quality Alberta Map.