Air Quality & Smoke Free Environments

The quality of the air directly impacts the health of all people. In the short term, air pollutants can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, infection and irritation of the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. Poor air quality can also have long-term and chronic effects, including asthma, allergies, lung disease, and cancer.

While poor air quality is a concern for people of all ages, children are actually more likely to be harmed by air pollutants, because they breathe in more air relative to their body weight than adults. Also, since children are growing and developing, the potential for damage to their respiratory systems is greater.

Children and adults spend a great deal of time indoors, and it is important to be mindful of the quality of indoor air. Problems with poor air quality can come from a range of sources, such as: tobacco smoke, pets, carpets, building materials, furniture, cleaning products, pesticides, printing and copying machines, gas appliances, allergens, moulds, bacteria, viruses, radon and lead.

The following are ways you can reduce the risks of poor indoor air quality:

Control moisture in the environment. Moisture, vapor, standing water, and water-damaged materials are a breeding ground for mold, mildew, insects, and bacteria. Prompt attention to moisture problems is essential to reduce the risk of adding contaminants, particularly mould, into the air.
Schedule painting, renovations, and repair activities for times when children are not present. Test all older painted surfaces for lead before sanding.
No smoking. Please see the next section titled A Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment for more information on the legal requirements surrounding smoking and vaping in the child care setting.
Use Integrated Pest Management techniques to monitor and prevent pests.
Arrange your space to provide sufficient ventilation to high-need areas such as arts and crafts areas and diaper changing areas.
Install window guards for safety.
Regularly inspect and maintain Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems
Purchase least toxic supplies. Install new products such as carpeting and furniture when children are not present and provide ventilation for 48 to 72 hours after installation. Choose low emission products.
Sanitizing and cleaning products. Decide what products you will use for cleaning and sanitizing. Keep products in their original containers. Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children.
Determine if you will allow pets in your program. Confine pets to a limited area that is easily cleaned and disinfected. Please see the section titled Pets and Animals in Infection Prevention and Control for more information.

Keep in Mind: The most effective way to reduce indoor air pollution is to remove or reduce the source of contamination.

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The quality of outdoor air should also be considered, as children and adults can be exposed to many different types of air pollutants when outdoors. You can take the following steps to reduce the risks associated with poor outdoor air quality:

Check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) each morning at airhealth.ca
- AQHI is a tool that can help child care professionals protect the health of children by limiting their exposure to air pollution.
Sign up to receive Air Quality Alert Notifications (Special Air Quality Statement or Smog and Air Health Advisory) by visiting the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Air Quality website.
Schedule outdoor activities during periods of the day when air pollution levels are low
Develop a procedure for communicating environmental issues such as smog alerts to staff, parents, and children.
Avoid strenuous activity and consider rescheduling outdoor activities during smog alert days. Hot weather combined with poor air quality can increase the risk of adverse health effects
Pay close attention to asthmatic children during smog and heat alerts, ensure they get adequate rest breaks and keep medication close by in case a child develops breathing difficulties.

For more information visit Air Quality