Air Quality Advisory

For more information on particulate matter levels please call the 24 hour Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection Air Quality Index Line at 565-6457 or check the Ministry of the Environment's website

Last updated: Aug 31 2009 at 9:00 AM

BC Ministry of Environment logo City of Prince George logo Northern Health logo

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY CANCELLED

The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Northern Health, have cancelled the Air Quality Advisory for Prince George. All residents are advised that these high levels of particulate matter could have adverse health effects in children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing heart and lung disease. Residents especially those at high risk should consider reducing strenuous outdoor activities during the advisory and/or adjusting any medication in consultation with their physician. Residents are advised that the best way to reduce susceptibility to air pollution related illness is to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.

TThe Air Quality objective for fine particulates (PM2.5) is 25 µg/m3 for a 24 hour average. Residents should be aware that advisories are only issued when the air quality objective is exceeded but that the majority of adverse health effects are due to long term exposure to particulate matter starting at levels well below 25 µg/m3.

Residents are reminded that the City’s Clean Air Bylaw prohibits the use of wood-burning appliances, except for Sole Wood Burning Heat Users, and that open burning; including backyard burning and land clearing burning is banned during Air Quality Advisories. Please note that this advisory also prohibits recreational fires and street sweeping activities. Industry is asked to reduce emissions wherever possible during the air quality advisory

Based on the air quality data, the high levels were mainly due to smoke from forest fires in the province with some contribution from industrial sources. Even though the 24 hour levels continue to exceed the provincial objective, hourly values are now low and meteorology conditions indicate levels should remain low today. However, there is a possibility of high particulate levels reoccurring again later today or tonight because there is a lot of smoke over the province and a slight shift in wind direction may cause smoke to move back into the community again. This would mean that the air quality advisory may be reissued again later this afternoon or tomorrow morning. The 24 hour PM2.5 rolling average was 27 µg/m3 at the Plaza 400 downtown site and 30 µg/m3 at College Heights at 10:00 am. The 24 hour PM10 rolling average was 49 µg/m3 at the Plaza 400 downtown, 61 µg/m3 at BCR and 44 µg/m3 at College Heights.

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Want more information?

For information on particulate matter levels please call the 24 hour Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection Air Quality Index Line at 565-6457 or check the Ministry's website .

For information on the city's Clean Air Bylaw please contact City Hall at 561-7600 or check out the City's website.

For information on the effects of air quality on persons with respiratory or cardiac illnesses please contact the Northern Health Authority at 565-2150 or check the Northern Health Authority website at www.northernhealth.ca .

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