Clear Full Forecast

Air Quality Adivsory Issued

By 250 News

Monday, February 16, 2009 09:09 AM

 
The Ministry of Environment  is issuing an Air Quality Advisory for Prince George due to high levels of fine particulate matter. 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.
 
The Air Quality objective for 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 fine 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.
 
For information on particulate matter levels, please call the 24 hour Ministry of Environment Air Quality Index Line at (250) 565-6457 or check the Ministry’s website at http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/aqiis/air.summary .
 
For information on the City’s Clean Air Bylaw, please contact City Hall at (250) 561-7600 or visit the City’s website at www.city.pg.bc.ca
 
For information on the effects of air quality on persons with respiratory or cardiac illnesses please contact Northern Health at (250) 565- 2150 or visit the Northern Health website at www.Northernhealth.ca
 
Based on the air quality data, the high levels are mainly due combustion emissions (smoke). Calm winds and clear conditions over the region resulted in pollutants accumulating in the air shed. The 24 hour PM2.5 rolling average was 40 µg/m3 at the Plaza 400 downtown site at 8:00 am and 21 µg/m3 at College Heights. The 24 hour PM10 rolling average was 65 µg/m3 at the Plaza 400 downtown, 48 µg/m3 at BCR and 51 µg/m3 at College Heights. This Air Quality Advisory is expected to be in effect at least until tomorrow morning, with an update to be provided this afternoon at 4:30am.
 

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Posted on Monday, February 16, 2009 09:09 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Comment Posted by: He speaks on February 16 2009 11:50 AM
Hold your breath
Comment Posted by: Norm on February 16 2009 12:27 PM
move to the hart.
Comment Posted by: Lamb on February 16 2009 12:41 PM
I would like to get out of this poisonous air in the bowl. I sure wish the pulp mills would just pack up and leave.
Comment Posted by: gold_rush on February 16 2009 12:54 PM
why dont we relocate the pulp mills to outside of town, it would be a great make work project...
Comment Posted by: EGBG on February 16 2009 1:08 PM
Why does everyone always blame the Pulpmills? Try taking a drive down PG Pulpmill road and tell me what smells worse...the pulpmill or the Huskey oil refinery? And take a look at the air quality when the pulpmills are shutdown.....you would probably notice NO change in air quality. Now take a drive past any of the shopping centers with 100-200 idling vehicles staying warm while people shop.....I am sure they do wonders for air quality!
Comment Posted by: Oldun on February 16 2009 3:45 PM
As I decended the hill down into the "toilet bowl" this morning the flavored fog was not the smell of woodsmoke, road dust or auto exhaust. I guess the city is going to have to stop sweeping the streets until springtime. The street sweeping schdule should be posted on this site and in the media alongside the snow removal times and places. We sure wouldm't want the two to clash with each other and create another air advisory. People should just stay home by the woodstove so as to not idle their cars. When are we ever going to get the facts on our air problems. Too many industry types on all the studies being done???
Comment Posted by: Lamb on February 16 2009 7:24 PM
EGBG IT IS THE PULP MILLS.
NORTHWOOD DRIFTS ACROSS THE VALLEY TO COAT BEAVERLY AND THE AIRPORT HILL AND THEN GRADUALLY COMES DOWN INTO THE BOWL. I HAVE EYES TO SEE IT AND IS CERTAINLY NOT HUSKY.