Public health units should stay up-to-date on the latest safe exposure levels for carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Below are examples of recommended action and evacuation levels that may prompt a public health response, operator education, control measures, re-inspections, or evacuation orders. Public Health units must ensure their indoor air quality equipment can accurately measure these levels, considering detection limits, resolution, and range.

DEFINITIONS

Recommended Level - Air Pollutants at concentration levels that protect the health of the most vulnerable populations.

Action Level (AL) - Air pollutants at concentrations below evacuation levels but above recommended levels. Air pollutant concentrations have reached a level that is no longer protective to health, and increased ventilation is necessary to introduce fresh air into the facility. Direct the operator to implement corrective actions (see below). Consider conducting a re-inspection.

• Advise operator to increase ventilation rates (e.g., open exterior doors and increase mechanical exhaust).

• Consider reducing/suspending ice arena resurfacing activities or stopping all public activity on the ice surface.

• Implement corrective actions to ensure acceptable indoor air quality can be maintained while the potential cause of poor indoor air quality is investigated. Document corrective actions.

• Re-inspect the facility to ensure corrective actions were successful in maintaining acceptable indoor air quality. If the re-inspection reveals continued non-compliance, consider enforcement after consultation with management.

Evacuation Level - Air pollutants at concentrations elevated enough to meet the definition of a health hazard and warrant an evacuation of patrons and the issuance of a closure order under section 13 of the HPPA. 

• Issue a section 13 closure order to the facility operator to close the affected area(s) as determined by the inspection.

• Direct the operator to evacuate all patrons from the area immediately and contact emergency services. The public health inspector must ensure the arena is evacuated and contact their supervisor/management.

• Advise operators to suspend ice resurfacing activities and increase ventilation rates immediately (e.g., open exterior doors, increase mechanical exhaust).

Before continuing, please watch this video featuring public health inspector Vittoria Vecchiarelli as she discusses how to respond to a health hazard in an ice Arena. Vittoria outlines the steps involved in identifying, assessing, and addressing potential health risks to ensure the safety of all individuals in the facility.