Frequently Asked Questions

It is Alberta’s central online resource for air quality information. It brings together data, tools, and guidance from Alberta’s 10 regional Airsheds. The platform helps Albertans understand local air quality and how to protect their health, and it supports municipal staff and air quality practitioners who work to protect the air quality in their communities.

The Airhub provides reliable information to help all Albertans understand air quality and make informed choices during events like wildfires. It also offers municipal staff and air quality practitioners a secure portal with specialized tools and guidance, as well as a secure forum for collaboration and information sharing.

Alberta Airsheds Council (AAC) administers the Airhub as the provincial alliance of Alberta’s 10 regional Airsheds. AAC is responsible for managing the platform and ensuring that all data and resources reflect credible air quality monitoring.

Most of the air quality data comes from Alberta’s 10 Airsheds, which operate nearly 100 monitoring stations across the province, following consistent, science-based standards. These monitoring activities are conducted in collaboration with air quality stakeholders and partners, including the provincial and federal governments and industry. All of this data flows to the Government of Alberta, which uses it to calculate and publish the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) every hour. Portable monitors and an array of other sensor technologies add coverage in places without a permanent station.

The Airhub is operated by the Alberta Airsheds Council, an independent, non-profit organization with the support of Alberta’s 10 Airshed organizations. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) provides funding support for the Airhub.

The Airhub portal is available to municipal staff and air quality practitioners, offering specialized tools and guidance, as well as a secure forum for collaboration and information sharing.

The portal contains specialized tools, guidance, and resources intended for municipal staff and air quality practitioners. Signing up provides access to verified practitioners and ensures that information exchange within the forum comes from reliable sources.

You can request portal access through the Airhub request access form. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed, and you’ll receive a response from the Alberta Airsheds Council within two business days.

Check your spam or junk folder. If you still haven’t seen an email, contact administrator@albertaairshedscouncil.ca.

Use the “Forgot Password” link on the sign‑in page. You’ll receive an email with instructions to reset your password.

The Airhub portal, including the resource toolkit and practitioner forum, is currently accessible only to municipal staff and air quality practitioners. If you believe you should have access, contact administrator@albertaairshedscouncil.ca to review your permissions.

Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air is. Poor air quality can irritate your lungs, affect your heart, and make it harder to breathe. Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions may feel these effects more strongly.

The AQHI is a number that shows the level of health risk associated with the air in your community. Higher numbers mean higher risk. It helps you understand when to take steps to protect your health, especially during wildfire smoke or other pollution events.

Air quality can shift hour by hour due to wildfire smoke, weather patterns, industrial activity, traffic, and natural events. The AQHI updates frequently to reflect these changing conditions.

Check the AQHI for your community. Low values indicate a low health risk. Higher values mean you may need to reduce or reschedule outdoor activities, especially if you’re sensitive to air pollution.

Limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, use clean indoor air spaces, and follow local health advice. The AQHI can help you understand when conditions are improving or worsening.

Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors during periods of poor air quality, using a HEPA air purifier, setting your HVAC system to recirculate, and avoiding indoor sources of pollution such as smoking, candles, and vacuuming.

An Airshed is an independent, regional non-profit organization that monitors local air quality, shares data with the public, and brings together community members, industry, municipalities, and government to understand and manage air quality in their area.

Alberta has 10 regional Airsheds, each responsible for monitoring and reporting on air quality in its own region.

Airsheds operate air monitoring stations, report real-time data, support community education, and work with their local communities to understand and respond to air quality issues.

Airsheds are funded through a multi-stakeholder model. Funding typically comes from industry members, municipalities, and government partners that participate in the Airshed.

No. Airsheds are independent, non-profit organizations. They collaborate with the government but are not government agencies.

You can find your Airshed by selecting your region on the Airhub Airsheds map. Each Airshed has its own website with local data, monitoring locations, and resources.

Air quality varies across Alberta due to geography, weather, population, and industry. Regional Airsheds ensure monitoring reflects local conditions and community needs.

Alberta Airsheds Council (AAC) is a formal alliance of all 10 Alberta Airshed organizations, formed to represent the collective interests of this collaborative group. AAC is dedicated to serving its members by leveraging resources, building capacity, and facilitating strategic collaboration with external stakeholders.