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PRINCE GEORGE – New air quality objectives that are among the most stringent in Canada will promote cleaner air quality in Prince George and communities throughout the province, announced Healthy Living and Sport Minister Mary Polak.
“We’re committed to supporting healthier communities,” said Polak. “By setting cleaner air standards we’re supporting all British Columbians to breathe healthier air and enjoy more activities outdoors.”
“Air quality continues to be a significant issue for Prince George residents. It is important that we continue to set aggressive targets for fine particulate matter (P.M. 2.5), and B.C. will now have some of the most stringent in Canada,” said Deputy Premier and MLA for Prince George-Mount Robson Shirley Bond. “We have made progress but there is more work to be done. We are committed to ongoing initiatives like these new P.M. 2.5 guidelines.”
Provincial air quality objectives provides guidelines for fine particulate matter (P.M. 2.5), which refers to microscopic particles 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter, including particles from sources of wood and diesel combustion. It includes a daily target of 25 and an annual target of eight micrograms per cubic metre for all communities throughout the province and an annual airshed planning goal of six.
“Air quality is vital to respiratory health for everyone leading a healthier lifestyle, no matter where you live in the province,” said Pat Bell, MLA for Prince George North. “B.C.’s new air quality objectives will help guide and support local governments as they reduce emissions and build cleaner, healthier communities.”
The daily objective of 25 micrograms per cubic metre will be used to guide day to day air quality management. This includes issuing air quality advisories during periods of poor air quality, initiating open burning restrictions in accordance with the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation and mandatory emission reduction strategies as required under local municipal bylaws. The annual average is a measure used to limit longer term exposure to fine particulate matter.
This new standard will be supported by B.C.’s newly launched air quality website at www.bcairquality.ca, which provides hourly air quality updates and other information so that British Columbians can see their community’s air quality levels in comparison to the new air quality objectives.
“We applaud government in setting new air quality objectives that will help everyone in communities throughout B.C. breathe cleaner air,” said Scott McDonald, executive director of the BC Lung Association. “The new provincial air quality website will become an important resource for anyone interested in their community’s air quality levels.”
In addition to the air quality
objectives, the Province is supporting communities through the development and
implementation of airshed plans that target emission reductions. Such plans are
already in place in
B.C. has developed its guidelines
over the past three years through a review of the science and regulatory
approaches of other jurisdictions, and through consultations with stakeholders
and the general public. The new objectives are competitive with criteria used
in other jurisdictions in
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Contact: |
Anne McKinnon Communications Director Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport 250 952-2387 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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