Clean Air Spaces
Clean-air spaces (CAS) are indoor community sites in Eeyou Istchee where people can go during episodes of heavy smoke caused by forest fires. The air that circulates in a CAS is cleaner because each site is insulated against wildfire smoke and is set up with purifiers.
Clean-air spaces offer people a breathing break during episodes of heavy smoke.
These spaces help reduce possible health effects of extended exposure to forest fire smoke.
Clean-air spaces help our communities be more resilient during the wildfire season.
4 reasons why we need clean-air spaces
- Breathing difficulties may be more common during wildfire smoke episodes in our region.
- Wildfire smoke is irritating to the windpipe and lungs. It can cause inflammation because your body is trying to get rid of smoke particles. People with asthma or other health conditions are especially sensitive to forest fire smoke.
- Clean-air spaces offer people a safe and healthy indoor place to spend time together during episodes of heavy smoke. These spaces help reduce their exposure to smoke, which can in turn reduce its harmful health effects.
- Clean-air spaces can reduce the risk of evacuation for some community members, which helps reduce stress during ongoing smoke episodes.
Exposure to forest fire smoke can have short-term, medium-term and long-term effects.
Short-term effects
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Irritation in the throat, lungs and eyes
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Coughing
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Asthma symptoms are worse
Medium-term effects
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Fatigue
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Headaches
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Aggravates symptoms of bronchitis, pneumonia or other breathing and heart diseases
Longer-term effects
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Chest pain
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Higher blood pressure
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Higher risk of developing respiratory infections
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Affects cardiovascular function (heart and breathing)
What does a clean-air space look like?
Clean-air spaces are set up in different locations depending on the community. It will look like any other gathering space, with tables and sofas, snacks and refreshments to make it enjoyable for people to spend time there.
The space is prepared so that smoky air from the outside doesn’t filter inside.
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Ventilation systems are turned off.
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Vents, doors and windows are sealed from the inside or outside
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Fire exits are sealed from the outside so people can push through if needed.
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Ideally, only one entrance is used with double doors to help keep the smoke out.
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The space is equipped with portable air purifiers that remove harmful particles from the air.
Cree Nation Councils and their Emergency Response Committees set up clean-air spaces.
The Environmental Health Team at the Cree Board of Health is available to provide recommendations for:
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Calculating the air filtration needs and capacity in the location identified as a community clean-air space.
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Finding vendors for air purifiers.
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Setting up a clean-air space.
When should a clean-air space be opened?
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Use the Purple Air Map to get community-based air quality readings.
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When the Canadian Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is above 10 on a one-hour average, it is recommended to open a clean-air space.
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Consult the Purple Air map for a 1-hour AQHI average
Purple Air
Map of Air Quality
Where are there clean-air spaces in Eeyou Istchee?
Check with your community band and council to find out when its clean air space is open.
Filters
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Filters must trap particles smaller than 2.5 microns.
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HEPA filters (High-Effiency Particulate Air) are the best to trap harmful particles from forest fires. They trap 99.97% of particles under 0.3 microns.
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MERV 13 filters (or higher) can also help trap harmful particles, even though they aren’t as effective.
Portable air purifiers
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Units have to be sized according to a room’s size. Public Health can provide recommendations.
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Do not trust the manufacturer’s specs that use square footage. You also need to consider how high the room’s ceilings are.
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Units are usually plug-and-play, and are low-maintenance.
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Don’t use purifiers that use electrostatic precipitators. These are harmful for the environment.
