Monitoring Air Quality: The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a rating scale for outdoor air in Ontario. The lower the AQI, the better the air quality

Based on data from its network of air monitoring stations, the Ministry of the Environment reports an AQI for many communities across Ontario to all major media outlets and the Ministry web site hourly.

These pollutants were chosen because they have an adverse effect on humans and the environment at high levels.

The air monitoring data are sent to a computer centre at the ministry. Data are compared to ambient air quality standards for each of the six air pollutants. These scientifically-based standards, which are updated from time to time, indicate the maximum safe level for a pollutant. Above this level, the pollutant begins to have an undesirable impact on people and the environment.

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The monitoring data are converted into the AQI scale. The scale ranges from 0-15 (very good) to 100+ (very poor).