The AQHI is a joint effort of the provincial government, Environment Canada, Health Canada and the PEI Lung Association. Using Environment, Energy and Forestry monitoring stations in Charlottetown, Summerside and St. Peter’s Bay, air-quality data is collected by Environment Canada and used to calculate the index.

“The Index will communicate the health risks of pollutants in the air we breathe and provide health advice for populations at risk as well as the general public,” Minister Currie said.

Links to the AQHI will be available from the Environment, Energy and Forestry website and from the website of the Chief Health Officer.

“This real-time online index will allow anyone in the province to not only know the quality of air they are breathing, but to make informed decisions about whether to curb some outdoor activities in order to avoid air-related health issues,” said Minister Brown.

AQHI information is available for three locations:

Charlottetown -

www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/airquality/pages/peaq-003_e.html

Summerside -

www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/airquality/pages/peaq-002_e.html

St. Peter’s Bay -

www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/airquality/pages/peaq-001_e.html

Information on the national AQHI program is available at:

http://www.airhealth.ca

For Islanders who do not have access to the internet or have questions regarding the AQHI, they can call the PEI Lung Association at 1-877-334-2744. This number will be operational May 4, 2009. Over the coming months staff of PEI Lung Association will be conducting a public outreach campaign to educate residents of the province on the health benefits of the Index.