[ARCHIVED] Introduction to air quality advisories
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Air quality advisories are a mechanism by which provincial and regional governments actively provide the public with information on hourly or daily periods of poor outdoor air quality. Advisories are issued for specific geographical locations when one or more pollutants approach or exceed (or are forecasted to approach/exceed) a relevant air quality trigger. Advisories inform the public about mandatory and voluntary actions to reduce or prevent further emissions during the advisory period. Advisories also inform the public about the potential health impacts of poor air quality, as well as recommend protective measures that can be taken to minimize health risks while the advisory is in effect. Both long-term and short-term exposures to air pollution have impacts on health; the focus of air quality advisories is on short-term exposure to the public.