Prince George, B.C. – The higher temperatures in Prince George have produced early morning air quality conditions that prompted  testing for formaldehyde yesterday and again today.

The air quality readings were at their worst in the early morning hours and the odour of sulphur was prevalent but as the day progressed, Minister of Environment staff say the air shed “flushed out” and there has been no need to issue air quality advisories.

The high pressure system which is bringing Prince George the beautiful summer temperatures appears to be weakening somewhat.  MoE Environmental Meteorologist Dennis Fudge says the higher readings from this morning were easing off, but particulate levels   were showing unexpected increases “The fire on Redwood Street wasn’t helping things”.   The fire broke out around 8:00 this morning sending a plume of smoke into the air above the downtown area.

Despite the recent air quality advisory, which was the result of the wildfire near Greer Creek southwest of Vanderhoof, Prince George’s air quality readings for March April and June were at some of the lowest ever recorded for that period says Fudge. 

The latest samplings for formaldehyde should produce results in about three weeks. The Federal Air quality monitor on the roof of the Plaza 400 in downtown Prince George  also collected samples during yesterday and today as part of a regular schedule of  air quality testing, but those samples are not likely to be available as quickly.

The testing for formaldehyde in Prince George’s air became a priority following testing in the summer of 2008 which produced levels that were well above acceptable limits. The accuracy of those tests has been questioned as there were flaws in the way the samples were handled.