

Chris Herhalt, CP24.com





Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Toronto and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, saying high heat could increase ground-level air pollution by this afternoon.

The area and much of southern Ontario is in day two of a heat warning, with temperatures expected to hit 34 C this afternoon in the Toronto area.

Environment Canada says the heat could increase ground-level ozone concentrations in the air, with the possibility of high pollution levels this afternoon.

Ground ozone is caused when emissions from factories, cars and chemicals containing nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react with each other in sunlight.

It can cause chest pain, throat problems and airway inflammation in asthma sufferers, children, the elderly and people who work outdoors.

Anyone vulnerable to poor air quality is asked to stay indoors.

Cooling centres can be found in Toronto at:

• Metro Hall – 55 John St. (Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Weekends: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• East York Civic Centre – 850 Coxwell Ave. (Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Weekends: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• North York Civic Centre – 5100 Yonge St. (Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Weekends: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• Etobicoke Civic Centre – 399 The West Mall (Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Weekends: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• Driftwood Community Centre – 4401 Jane St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days/week)

• McGregor Community Centre – 2231 Lawrence Ave. E. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days/week)

• Centennial Community Centre – 1967 Ellesmere Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days/week)