Air Quality in Ottawa – Live AQI Today, Yesterday & Tomorrow

🇨🇦 Air Quality in Ottawa

Yesterday AQI: Good 😊 (1 of 5)

Today AQI: Good 😊 (1 of 5)

Tomorrow AQI: Good 😊 (1 of 5)

UV Index: Not available

Pollutant Levels in Ottawa (μg/m³)

CO: 194.4 (0–12400 µg/m³) – Carbon Monoxide – a colorless gas that limits oxygen delivery in the body. – Produced by incomplete combustion from vehicles, stoves and wildfires. High exposure reduces oxygen transport and can be life-threatening. (Low)
NO: 0.02 (0–200 µg/m³) – Nitric Oxide – reactive gas that contributes to ozone and smog formation. – Short-lived gas from fuel burning. Although unstable, it contributes to ground-level ozone and secondary pollutants. (Low)
NO2: 3.89 (0–200 µg/m³) – Nitrogen Dioxide – toxic reddish gas, linked to asthma and lung irritation. – Strongly traffic-related pollutant. Long-term exposure is associated with asthma, reduced lung function, and cardiovascular risk. (Low)
O3: 9.86 (0–180 µg/m³) – Ozone – harmful near the ground, formed when sunlight reacts with traffic and industrial emissions. – Unlike protective ozone in the upper atmosphere, ground-level ozone is harmful. It causes chest pain, coughing and worsens bronchitis. (Low)
SO2: 0.21 (0–250 µg/m³) – Sulfur Dioxide – pungent gas from coal and oil combustion, triggers respiratory issues. – Major contributor to acid rain. Short-term exposure irritates eyes, nose, throat and can trigger asthma attacks. (Low)
PM2_5: 2.81 (0–55 µg/m³) – Fine Particles (PM2.5) – microscopic dust and smoke that enter deep into the lungs. – Particles smaller than 2.5µm – from smoke, coal burning and vehicle exhaust. They bypass body filters and reach the bloodstream. (Low)
PM10: 3.02 (0–250 µg/m³) – Coarse Particles (PM10) – larger dust, pollen and ash particles affecting breathing. – Particles up to 10µm – from construction dust, pollen and ash. Aggravates respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma. (Low)
NH3: 0.52 (0–1000 µg/m³) – Ammonia – gas mainly from agriculture and fertilizer use. – Emitted by livestock farming, fertilizers and some industry. Can form fine secondary particles when combined with NOx and SO2. (Low)

About Air Quality in Ottawa

Ottawa generally enjoys good air quality compared to many major cities worldwide. However, seasonal wildfires in Canada and the northern U.S. can significantly impact air conditions, temporarily raising PM2.5 and PM10 levels.

On normal days, Ottawa’s AQI ranges from “Good” to “Moderate,” making it a relatively healthy city for outdoor activities. Monitoring is still important for sensitive groups, especially during wildfire season and winter when wood burning can affect pollution.