Doctors want to know where NWT’s clean air shelters will be

The NWT’s doctors’ association is asking governments in the territory to identify and equip clean air shelters ready for the next severe wildfire season.

Smoke gave the NWT some of the world’s worst air this summer – often for extended periods. Experts have said the long-term effects of that smoke on human health aren’t well understood.

In a letter to NWT Premier RJ Simpson and health minister Lesa Semmler this week, the NWT Medical Association, which represents the territory’s physicians, said the research that is available suggests smoke is “increasingly understood to pose major risks to health.”

“Studies show that it is consistently associated with increased emergency room visits for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” the association wrote, listing a range of other concerns related to the likes of heart conditions and mental health.

“Given the significant and still incompletely understood impacts of wildfire smoke on human health, it is imperative that measures are taken to protect public health,” the letter continued, making 12 requests for action.

Those include identifying clean air shelters throughout the territory, equipping them with air quality sensors outside and inside, and making “necessary structural and ventilation-related interventions” to ensure the shelters are as good as they can be.

The NWT’s chief public health officer said last year her office was “looking at” working with each community to identify a clean air shelter.

At the time, Dr Kami Kandola said communities would be provided with indoor air sensors to use in designated buildings. She said work was also under way to find cheap air purifiers for residents’ homes.

Approached for an update on Wednesday, the territory’s Department of Health and Social Services said “the development and maintenance of local infrastructure such as cleaner air spaces are not the mandate” of the department.

A spokesperson said helping people to “reduce poor health outcomes during adverse smoke events” was, however, a goal, and the department was working with communities “to provide guidance and help” with upgrades to buildings identified as clean air shelters.

“Ultimately, the building owners are responsible for the changes,” the department added, pointing to a website that uses relatively newly installed PurpleAir sensors to show air quality throughout the territory.

“Advocating for communities to have cleaner and cooler air spaces continues to be priority,” the department concluded. “Staff will continue to work in partnership where possible.”