More Air Testing Planned Following Formaldehyde Story

Thursday, March 04, 2010 03:59 PM

Power point slide used in presentation in Calgary last November shows formaldehyde levels in P.G.

Prince George, B.C.- The Provincial Ministry of the Environment has announced further testing of the air in Prince George for the presence of formaldehyde. The Ministry issued the following official statement just moments ago:

· As part of finalizing our budget for this year, we considered the need for more sampling in the Millar Addition area. As a result, we will proceed with an additional round of testing shortly. The testing will be conducted in partnership with PGAIR and the results will be available to the community. We expect this will cost approximately $12,000. The Ministry of Environment is now gathering the equipment needed for the tests, and sampling will begin in the next few weeks. The samples will then be analyzed and the results will be made available to the community. We will also do follow-up testing throughout the year to confirm the results in various weather conditions.

The decision comes in the wake of information uncovered by the CBC that elevated levels of Formaldehyde, a carcinogen, were discovered in the air in the Millar Addition in the summer of 2008.

The levels were more than 18 times the acceptable level. The Ministry's official comment on the release of that information is as follows:

The samples were taken in the summer of 2008, followed by lengthy analysis and a review of raw data. Final results were put together in fall/winter 2009 and presented to PGAIR in mid-December 2009 at the group’s next meeting. PGAIR includes representatives from the City of Prince George, local industry and the local health authority. The results are also available online to anyone who is interested at www.pgairquality.com.

These particular test results were inconsistent with what we know about formaldehyde levels in Prince George based on extensive previous testing and this raised questions about their accuracy. Results can sometimes be affected by something as simple as the amount of sunlight that the samples were exposed to.‪ Because the results were in doubt, Ministry of Environment employees in Prince George did not believe there was a clear public health risk in the community.‪

The Formaldehyde information was also made available to those taking part in a special workshop in Calgary at the end of November last year.

Dave Fuller, the President of PACHA, (People’s Action Committee for Healthy Air) says his group was given some of the figures last fall “We were concerned because in high concentrations formaldehyde can be a carcinogen, however, the numbers we got were per sample, and not per cubic meter. When we saw the per cubic metre numbers we took a double take.”

The Provincial New Democrats were hot on the issue in the Legislature today, with the party’s environment critic Rob Fleming pressing the Minister of Environment and the Minister for Healthy Living and sport for answers as to why there was no air quality advisory issued at the time, and why there has been no follow up.

Last fall, PACHA sponsored “Bucket Brigade” air sampling which produced results indicating the presence of a variety of chemicals in the Millar Addition neighbourhood’s air, including methyl-ethyl- ketone, dimethyl sulphide and toluene.

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Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2010 03:59 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: MrPG on March 4 2010 4:06 PM

Let the finger pointing begin. Maybe another study?

Posted by: He spoke on March 4 2010 4:18 PM

Oh, just do us a favor, We are bad people. Just leave town.

Posted by: The Real Moses on March 4 2010 4:21 PM

No need to point fingers...just find the source and fix it.

Posted by: MrPG on March 4 2010 4:26 PM

"just find the source and fix it."

The problem is we've been saying that for the last 40 years or so.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 4 2010 4:26 PM

And now there has been 16 people charged in the B.C. Health Ministry.
It just keeps getting worse doesn't it?
So what's next?
From hiding air quality results to a crooked Health Ministry.
Are we suprised?
Not one damn bit.
So who is going to resign in government?
Campbell,Abbott,and Falcon would be a good place to start, but I am sure some peons will take the fall.
If you sweep dirt under a rug long enough,eventually it starts to spill over.
Stay tuned...the excuses for this beauty will be something else!

Posted by: NMG on March 4 2010 4:43 PM

I'll predict exactly what will be said after the next tests are conducted:

"After conducting our second air sample, we were unable to duplicate the abnormally high levels of formaldehyde noted in the first sample. The readings of formaldehyde from our second sample are consistent with the levels noted from other historical testing and as a result, we have determined that the peaks noted in the first sample resulted from compromised/unreliable data and as such, it is not possible to draw any meaningful conclusion from it"

My guess is that they'll do whatever it takes to discredit the high readings. Now, it is possible that there were errors in the readings, however, when you have governments who have done nothing but drag their feet on the issue of AQ in PG, you are almost forced to question the motive and result of their response.

Posted by: PGDriver on March 4 2010 4:46 PM

This is beyond ridiculous, find out where its from and shut them down. You can't put that amount of formaldehyde into the air by mistake,

Posted by: herbster on March 4 2010 4:50 PM

Interesting that the graph index shows a white line for "BC Action Level". Unfortunately that threshold has not yet been reached, since it is not on the graph. Maybe its on another graph that plots action vs media publicity.
If the next tests come back anywhere near as bad, class action lawsuits will follow. If anyone in the MOE wants to stay out of jail, now is the time to spill the beans.

Posted by: MrPG on March 4 2010 5:07 PM

Sad to say you've probably got it right NMG.

Posted by: Grant G on March 4 2010 5:21 PM

The crime was in covering it up and not reporting it to the people..

oh but Gordon Campbell didn`t want to get anyone upset before an election.

They will test now ,now that the cover-up has been exposed!

Now what Mr.PG...Defend this bunch of criminals(BC Liberals) The minister responsible for covering up this information must resign!

The government reported to industry but left the people in the dark.

That is the crime, someone has to pay the price,not an apology like the latest drunk driving BC Liberal Jane Thornthwaite!

Go ahead gang,Mr. PG....Say the NDP would have done the same, let people potentially die for political purposes!

Sheesh

Posted by: REALIST on March 4 2010 5:29 PM

I have a friend who does the environmental testing for one of the mills here in town. They have been instructed to only take samples when it is known that the levels will be low. That means that when we have a case of the smelly yellow/orange fog that we see, that is when they release the chemicals into the environment and no one is testing at that time. We live in a chemical atmosphere here in P.G. and those responsible know exactly when they can test and "find" low levels. We need 24/7 air shed checks all around the bowl area to really see the truth. Someone must have screwed up and tested during a formeldahyde release. We will never really know the truth but in a textbook case of tombstone engineering, we will get a big new Cancer centre to help cure those the industry creates.

Posted by: Loki on March 4 2010 5:45 PM

Did anyone ever wonder why all of a sudden there is a cancer center for PG?
Why in the north instead of the lower mainland or Kamloops? Historically that is where the good stuff goes.

Somebody knew.

Posted by: MrPG on March 4 2010 6:25 PM

Grant, I'm not sure why you seem to be fixated on me, but it's starting to get creepy.

Posted by: Harbinger on March 4 2010 6:45 PM

Maybe all that formaldehyde is from every ones wood stoves. Could happen.

Posted by: Grant G on March 4 2010 6:49 PM

I`m not fixated on you ,just admit it,Gordon Campbell is a Habitual liar,remember these lies...

"I won`t sell bc rail"

"I won`t tear up contracts"

"I won`t bring in an HST"

"495 million dollar deficit maximum"

Anyone,and I mean anyone who defends this bunch must be on the payrole or a mental defect.

Vote Green,Vote independent,spoil your vote,no,you will march into the polling booth and mark an X beside a criminal`s name,now that is creepy.

I actually feel sorry for you,reminds me of 1930 Germany.

Posted by: MrPG on March 4 2010 6:58 PM

Seriously dude, take a deep breath. Let it go. You're not even making sense anymore.

If my comments bug you so much, stop reading them.

Posted by: Resident on March 4 2010 7:01 PM

Given the MOE's track record of enforcement, ie, pellet plant, it will really hard to believe anything they will report in the future. An independent air testing agency should be involved with oversight by Dave Fuller's group. The liberals just continue to self-destruct, health care scandal, BC Rail, the lies about the HST at election time, and now the poisonous air in PG. Enough is enough. Time to send the Premier and his cronies packing.
As for what REALIST has stated it is exactly true. Anyone that has a test coming up cleans up the process for the test period. Most places test for particulate emissions once or twice a year. The test time is usually under 8 hours. Do the math, compliance for 8 hours and non-compliance for the balance of the year.

Posted by: hammmy on March 4 2010 7:04 PM

I for one would like to see a class action lawsuit,
Lies, lies, lies,cover ups, cover ups, cover ups.
"Testing will be done in the next few weeks"

Notice Canfor is going to be down for maintenance earlier than expected!... like they knew this was coming.

Posted by: pizzacook on March 4 2010 7:36 PM

Just remember its YOU who keeps voting Liberal. Then there are our two federal Conservatives, who have two of the safest seats in the country. There will be a big stink, but the Liberals will win again. How long do we have to suffer with Ms. James?

Posted by: apoliticalgeek on March 4 2010 8:39 PM

Remember - big money or unions control the two party system. They both pretend to embrace the middle to get elected - but then generally show their true colors. What bothers me is that most conservatives actually believe that no government is good government - or that all unions are bad. They don't see that most 'civilized' 'socialist' countries like Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, have figured out the scam that is foisted upon us here and actually have a better quality of life and a higher GDP in spite or perhaps because of unionization. Pure capitalism will always end up with one or two big companies on top dictating terms to us peons or slaves. So, selling out to labour might make us broke, but selling out to big money makes us dead.

Posted by: quesnel on March 4 2010 8:59 PM

Everyone is uptight about this one--and so they should be. Let's just unite and go after those spitting out bad chemicals. The bad chemicals can be reigned in---it just takes those that care more about their families and friends than profits to do the right thing. Now, I'd like to "heer" on this site, Corporations who are cleaning up the environment. Where are you?? Hmm--

Posted by: quesnel on March 4 2010 9:02 PM

Anyone interested in forming a new political party for Cariboo/PG??

Posted by: Grant G on March 4 2010 10:38 PM

Big corporations will always cheat for profit,that`s their Creed...

However,the deliberate withholding of this information in my opinion is a criminal offence..

That fact that the ministry has ordered more air quality tests is an admission of guilt!
For if Gordon Campbell did the right thing,he wouldn`t be testing the air, GUILTY...There are schools,daycare in that area, 1,200 micrograms,the highest acceptable level is 65 micrograms..

What do you tell a parent whose child has cancer and will die because of air toxins,air toxins that the Campbell Government hid?

No,someone must resign, it should be Gordon Campbell because he micro manages and makes every decision,is a minister wants to fall on their sword then so be it.

What kind of person withholds that information, do you think the rich people in West Vancouver or Point grey would put up with toxic air? Would Campbell hide that report if his children were living there? I think not, without repercussions nothing will change.

It`s your battle, go ahead,forgive Shirley Bond or Pat Bell, your great representitives who won`t answer emails,or phone calls,who hide from the public,who won`t say anything wiyhout Gordon Campbell`s permission.

What do you say to a Premier who would let your children breathe in formaldehyde 20 times the highest acceptable Provincial Standard?

I say,resign, Gordon Campbell, Pat Bell,Shirley Bond says...Que Sera Sera,whatever will be will be,the future not ours to see,Que Sera Sera!

Posted by: lmorge on March 4 2010 11:13 PM

I worked in the downtown of PG for many yrs. The yellow cloud coming down 15th ave towards the downtown was/is a regular sight, espeically in the summer. The PG air has given me ashtma. Wonder if I can parlay that into an occupational hazard through health benefits.

Posted by: Eagleone on March 5 2010 7:42 AM

IMO its the oil refinery and I have no doubt about that. It never should have been built so close to town in the first place.

Posted by: Pylot Project on March 5 2010 7:45 AM

This story enrages me. We have two elected officials in this region, both with high profile positions, and neither one of them gives a damn enough about us to call for an investigation.

There is no way on God's green earth they didn't know about this report. The Liberals are a fairly tight knit group and I'm quite sure a few details have slipped out over the past 18 months.

If the test was flawed (as the Liberals are now stating), why did it take 18 months to set up a new test? I work as an ISO Quality Assurance Auditor and this kind of poor management and testinng is bad enough that I could shut production down. Too bad one can't shut down the prov gov't.

I also feel enraged that nobody thought it prudent to call a air advisory the day this result was found. I guess the MoE feels we are expendable

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 5 2010 7:59 AM

Wow...Prince George just got some great PR didn't it?
Bell and Bond have some apologizing to do.
Any Liberal has some explaining to do as to why they continue to support a government that they have to know is in serious trouble.
Or will they have to ask Campbell if it's ok to speak?
Do they not understand that their only hope for survival as government is to dump Gordo and his learned circle of gangsters?
Or are they part of the Campbell rat pack and don't care?

Posted by: gus on March 5 2010 8:04 AM

"Because the results were in doubt, Ministry of Environment employees in Prince George did not believe there was a clear public health risk in the community."

To me, that is the key phrase. THAT is NOT the response an agency that is repsonsible for keeping a safe environment for a large population swhould have!!!!!!

On that, and that response alone, the entire matter should be dealt with at the highest level!!!!!‪

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 5 2010 8:05 AM

I sent Gordon Campbell a very nasty, but polite email,as well as some others for all the good it does.
As usual,he is not replying.
I think he is down at ICBC with Colon Hansen picking up that bag of $778 million that they are stealing from the tax payers.

Posted by: MrPG on March 5 2010 8:17 AM

It's very easy to fix this problem. Just shut down the refinery and the pulp mills.

Ok, wait a second...

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 5 2010 8:27 AM

Is it me?..or is the PG city council being very quiet about this?

Posted by: CaringSoul on March 5 2010 8:38 AM

•The samples were taken in the summer of 2008, followed by lengthy analysis and a review of raw data. Final results were put together in fall/winter 2009 and presented to PGAIR in mid-December 2009 at the group’s next meeting. PGAIR includes representatives from the City of Prince George, local industry and the local health authority. The results are also available online to anyone who is interested at www.pgairquality.com.
•These particular test results were inconsistent with what we know about formaldehyde levels in Prince George based on extensive previous testing and this raised questions about their accuracy. Results can sometimes be affected by something as simple as the amount of sunlight that the samples were exposed to.‪ Because the results were in doubt, Ministry of Environment employees in Prince George did not believe there was a clear public health risk in the community.‪

OUR OWN CITY COUNCIL KNEW AS WELL AND THEY DID NOTHING! They frigging live here and they did nothing. Why are you people not on them as well? Someone needs to hang in our own community for not letting us know! They have known for over two months! CITY HALL IS THE PLACE TO START WITH SOMEONE HAS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE!
Mayor Dan Rogers, BE VERY AFRAID!

Posted by: Grant G on March 5 2010 8:47 AM

Water and Air, we need clean water and air to survive.

No Mr.PG...I am not going after you...

But your comment is offensive.

Like I say,you must be part of Gordon Campbell`s PAB Public affairs bureau...

What sane person would make the comment you just made.

Go visit a cancer center, go to the Millar addition and tell them to "suck it up" the air that is.

What about water quality, what you say then PG...Que Sera Sera..

Go paint your home with lead paint,buy toxic milk and pet food from China, hand out cigarrettes to school children every morning...Yes Mr. PG..You are offensive(IMO)

And yes,it wouldn`t matter how much Gordon Campbell stole,lied,poisoned,you would vote for them....Sad really.

Posted by: trackster on March 5 2010 8:47 AM

I do believe there is a Funeral Homein the
Miller Addition.
Funeral homes use a great deal of embalming fluid. Embalming fluid is up to 29% formaldehyde, and up to 56 % ethanol. Perhaps several cases got broken when transporting, or in fact dumped into a sewer, thus causing the problem. Just a thought!

Posted by: Municca on March 5 2010 8:52 AM

Really, take a look at who sits on the PGAIR, City council members and local industry. Do you really think these people have the best interest of us peons? Money talks and we are expendable. Face it! This will become swept under the table with false manipulated testing. This has been going on for decades now. The people of Prince George need to do their own independent testing. We can not trust big industry or our elected officials. We really need to watch over this. I am willing to donate some money to the cause and I fully believe that others will to. We need to know the truth once and for all. Please people now is not the time to be sheeple. Let us stand up in unity.

Posted by: Grant G on March 5 2010 8:56 AM

@Trackster

Now that`s rich, blame the bogey man for the readings.

Maybe it was the NDP who broke the bottles of Formaldehyde because they knew testing was occurring,then the NDP stole the report and hid it from the ministry of environment and only after 18 months went by they leaked the story all for political gain.

Then again, maybe you inhaled a little too much.

Sheesh

Posted by: MrPG on March 5 2010 9:10 AM

lol @ Grant. All the comments in this thread and you just can't leave me alone can you? Not even if you tried.

I suggested that we shut down the industrial polluters and you somehow find that comment 'offensive' in your backwards/twisted view of things.

Yes, I'm sure Gordon Campbell is the master of this conspiracy and behind everything that is wrong in the world. Does that make you feel better?

Posted by: Outwest on March 5 2010 9:13 AM

Testing will be done on Windy Days only and continue until we get good Results, like very low Levels off all Chemicals, your Government works hard for you.

Posted by: Grant G on March 5 2010 9:14 AM

Don`t try and backdoor your way out now MR.PG..You know what you said,you said..."OK,wait a second"....

Let me finish your thought..

Ok,wait a second,we need jobs,money,we have to make a choice,money and prosperity or clean air!

That is what you said.

Posted by: Boudicca on March 5 2010 9:14 AM

everyone gets so very angry to know formaldehyde some how got into OUR air........
It is sooo Bad for Canadians but we can produce it here and our goverment sells it to third world countries to make money.

Posted by: Resident on March 5 2010 9:27 AM

Wonder how IPG will turn this into a good news story? The mayor has been decidedly quiet on this one. Hell, with the contaminants in the air what is the big deal about building a community energy system and adding a bit more pollution.
PG.....BC Northern capital with an emphasis on POTHOLES and AIR POLLUTION.

Posted by: MrPG on March 5 2010 9:29 AM

Grant: "Let me finish your thought..

Ok,wait a second,we need jobs,money,we have to make a choice,money and prosperity or clean air!"

Really? You're a mind reader as well as making non-sensical rant-like posts? You have talent my friend!

You also haven't read other posts I've made on this subject in other threads. I suggest you do so before making assumptions.

Posted by: metalman on March 5 2010 9:39 AM

Mass hysteria, knee jerk reactions to an intentionally sensational media expose'
The heavy industry in this city that all of you are whining about has been there for about 45 years, you mean to say that people have only recently begun to notice the pollution? This formaldehyde thing is most likely an anomaly, and who knows if our local industry is to blame? We as citizens knew forty plus years ago that air and water pollution were not good for our healthy longevity, and we as citizens have, through public pressure, effected massive change over the years that has resulted in most of the previous bad practices as regards release of contaminants being eliminated.
The conspiracy theorists among you need to step back and take a deep breath of clean air. It is hard for me to imagine that in todays' world in corporate Canada there exists a conspiracy to intentionally skew pollution test results, that would be a secret that is impossible to keep; that is, instructing employees of say, Canfor, to take readings only when the results will be favourable to the company.
Only a matter of time before the 'secret' is out, and heads would roll.
metalman.

Posted by: MrPG on March 5 2010 9:48 AM

You could work for the MOE, metalman!

People have 'noticed' pollution in the bowl for a very long time. We are only starting to make the correlation between the pollution and the adverse health effects to many. We have a lower than average life expectancy in PG as well as higher cancer rates. Is it coincedence?

Posted by: maddog on March 5 2010 10:23 AM

Sick and tired of our elected officials like Bond last night responding to this cover up as inconsistancies in the testing.
Nice try Shirley, first you dont release the testing but when it is exposed by the media the tests are untrue.

How you polititions sleep at night is beyond me.

Same with Bell saying how good the HST will be for everyone.

Posted by: IMO on March 5 2010 10:55 AM

Please stop fighting and think about our children. Metalman....past is past. 45 years is long enough! It is like Munica and Caring soul said, now is the time for us all to band together and look after this for the future of our young. Just because it has been done for 45 years does not mean it should continue. Everyday the corruption in the government comes out bit by bit and you still have your head in the sand. The leader of the sheeple. Now I would like to say that I am appalled by the sudden reaction by our MLA's and government just one short day after they said they were not going to do anything. The reaction by US is what has them scrambling to LOOK AS IF they are going to do something. Saving face? Something is not right and we had better make sure it is fixed legally and without fear of making the source accountable. People in high places knew for close to 18 months not to mention our city officials as well. Big business and money are the root of all this. All this aside the question I have to all of you is, WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT IT?

Posted by: metalman on March 5 2010 11:03 AM

"You could work for the MOE, metalman"

Is that a job offer MrPG ?

I don't think they would want someone like me, but I sure would like the pension and the easy hours of work.

Obviously most of us are aware of the pollution in the bowl, but I guess not everyone suspected that it was bad for us.

This is part of the process of putting pressure on government to put pressure on industry to ( CONTINUE ) to reduce environmental pollution.
I personally believe that random exposure to substances such as formaldehyde is not going to do harm to anyone. Long term exposure to high levels of anything (beer, potato chips) will definitely do you harm.
I also believe that we are not doing our health any good by ingesting processed foods, but that is another topic.
metalman.

Posted by: MrPG on March 5 2010 11:21 AM

"I personally believe that random exposure to substances such as formaldehyde is not going to do harm to anyone. Long term exposure to high levels of anything (beer, potato chips) will definitely do you harm.
I also believe that we are not doing our health any good by ingesting processed foods, but that is another topic."

Forgive me, but I'm not really reassured that you feel that random exposure to pollution (formaldehyde) won't hurt anyone. As for your rationalization, I have a choice as to what I consume, but I don't have a choice when it comes to breathing.

Posted by: IMO on March 5 2010 11:33 AM

There are several formaldehyde-related symptoms, such as watery eyes, runny nose, burning sensation in eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, and fatigue.
Formaldehyde has induced a rare form of nasal cancer in both Fischer 344 rats and in B6C3F1 mice as reported in an ongoing study by the C I I T. In a second study by NYU, formaldehyde appears to have induced the same type of cancer in Sprague-Dawley rats.
One study, conducted by NCI, looked at 25,619 workers in industries with the potential for occupational formaldehyde exposure and estimated each worker's exposure to the chemical while at work (4). The results showed an increased risk of death due to leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia, among workers exposed to formaldehyde.
EPA considers formaldehyde to be a probable human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) and has ranked it in EPA's Group B1. (6)

and this is what our BC Government is saying on the subject;

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/03/03/bc-prince-george-formaldehyde-millar-addition.html#socialcomments#ixzz0hFrTONHS

YA, GO AHEAD KEEP BELIEVING THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO HARM US. THIS WAS POSTED BY SOMEONE ELSE YESTERDAY BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THE INFORMATION IS ACCURATE. OUR OWN GOVERNMENT SAID IT THEMSELVES BY MAKING THE LEVELS AT 65.

Posted by: Thunder on March 5 2010 12:52 PM

Maybe I am blind, but I went through the pgair website and looked at the meeting's minutes, etc and there is no mention of this in there. I don't see anything on the website either.

Posted by: IMO on March 5 2010 1:21 PM

You are not blind Thunder. Massive cover up in place as we speak. It is so obvious! Bond and Bell trying to say they did not know...Dan Rogers climbing on the "did not know" banner on the radio. It is an absolute joke and HOW DARE they think we are so stupid.

Posted by: metalman on March 5 2010 2:40 PM

Good on you guys for your diligent research on the harmful aspects of breathing formaldehyde gas. I have done a little research too. There is no doubt that continuous exposure may cause serious health effects. Also not in doubt is that some people, especially little ones, are more susceptible to the deleterious effects of formaldehyde gas.
Research also shows that the nasal cancers proven in rats occurred after long periods of exposure to high levels of formaldehyde in the air that the rats breathed. That formaldehyde gas breaks down rather quickly in the outdoor environment.
That if you breathe it in, you expell it as Co2. If it is absorbed through the skin, or drank, it is excreted in the urine.
Not saying there was no exposure, not saying that it is harmless, just think that we should not all be Pavlov's dogs to the excitited exhortations of the media.
If you don't want to be exposed to formaldehyde gas, don't buy new carpet, or cabinets, furniture, don't smoke tobacco, or use the open fireplace in your home. Don't buy a new mobile home, or any of the many foods that are preserved with formaldehyde.
Don't buy any new permanent press clothing, it will emit formaldehyde gas until it is washed. All I am saying here is that if the formaldehyde levels were continuously high and concentrated in any part of the city, people would notice. They would at least wonder why their nose was running and their eyes were burning.
No doubt in my mind that the air is polluted in PG, but it is also polluted in every other urban area on Earth. Chill.
metalman.

Posted by: MrPG on March 5 2010 3:52 PM

Yes everyone. Chill out. If we're lucky, we can repeat as having the worst air quality in all of Canada.

Go PG!

Posted by: meinbcbud on March 5 2010 5:25 PM

This could all be rectified if we let Hemp and Marijuana grow wild and cultivate it as required. It could sustain Prince George and encourage the Volunteer help it requires to get the projects done!!!

*sigh* It would also clean the air with it's powerful habit of filtering the air we breath more then any other plant... See- this does relate. What a thought. Grow a plant just to say you have and do your part for the planet, perhaps for yourself. Toss a seed into the forest- It may grow wild and do the environment good and it will be legal very soon. Just wait.

Posted by: MrPG on March 5 2010 6:12 PM

You better smoke another one, meinbcbud.

Posted by: lhl on March 5 2010 7:01 PM

metalman says:
"They would at least wonder why their nose was running and their eyes were burning."

Are you for real? This is exactly the problem! I live in the Millar Addition. My husband gets burning nasal passages when outdoors and I have daily headaches. That and the undeniable stench are what started all the pressure from the neighbourhood in the first place!

Any fyi - some of us do try and avoid these substances in our personal consumption as well. You assume those who complain are ignorant. We aren't.

Posted by: gus on March 6 2010 12:40 AM

Metalman .....

There is a standard for the "acceptable" formaldehyde level in outdoor air in BC.

Formaldehyde and VOCs in general are not monitored on a steady basis in PG or any other community in BC as far as I know.

On two occasions the "acceptable" level was exceeded. Not only that, but it was substantially exceeded above the "action" level.

No "action" was taken. An assumption was made.

"Action" should have been taken. That is the entire purpose of the action level.

Just to remind you of the levels reached here. The BC i hour average action level is 60ug/m3, the episode level is 370ug/m3 and the odour threshold is 1021ug/m3.

Three measured levels were above the episode level and one was above the odour threshold.

If the "action" level is set too low, then let us deal with that and get it changed.

Until that is done, I expect the MoE to carry out its work in an ethical and professional manner which includes acceoting the levels set as the levels to address, not some other level.

This type of incident should not be taken lightly. Where else are they not doing their job? The time to chill has passed.

Posted by: metalman on March 6 2010 1:54 PM

Thanks for the flames, they keep me warm.
Happy to have stimulated further discussion on this topic, but dismayed that some are unable to actually read, and understand what another has written. I am all for clean air you see, and so very much NOT on the side of any government.
Best wishes all.
metalman.

Posted by: swimmer on March 6 2010 4:14 PM

Any connection with three teens having Aml. recently,supposed to be so rare only 600 in Canada, now three in Prince George in the last few years?