The new study from Northern Health that concludes  fine particulates have a bigger impact on  health than previously thought is of huge concern to the People's Action Committee for Healthy AIr (PACHA).

The report attributes 61 deaths per year to the effects of air pollution in the North “We knew that air pollution was affecting the health of our community” says Betty Bekkering Past President of Pacha, “but finally to have some numbers to back up our concerns is of incredible importance and must spur action from the Provincial Government to address the problem. We have to do something to reduce this death toll. If we had a highway section that was affecting this many lives you better believe that the government would do something about it. Why not some action on this issue?”

 Pacha would like to see the Provincial Government with the support of our MLA’s work at reducing the level of particulate in our community. “ We saw that when there was a focus on results as there was on the Asphalt plants that there could be an improvement in air quality… We applaud all those involved but we want that same focus addressed to other industries including the Pulp and Paper industry, Refineries, and any industry where burning is used in the process of materials for energy or supply.”

Pacha suggests that in light of the recent findings that the City of Prince George lobby in conjunction with other Northern communities affected by air pollution for designations of a sensitive air sheds to be applied in such communities to protect the citizens from further degradation of their health.