An air quality advisory was issued in Vanderhoof earlier this week and here is why.
Benjamin Weinstein, air quality meteorologist said,”The cause for high particulate matter in Northern B.C. is the combination of weather and emission. The weather can at times act to limit the movement of air pollutants and so they can accumulate into a concentration level, in which case we issue an advisory.”
As for emissions, there is residential wood heating from stove or boiler, industrial sources in and around the community, and the transportation sector are some of the reasons for the frequent advisories, Weinstein explained.
READ MORE: Wildfire smoke blankets B.C. and Alberta, prompting air quality advisories
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in collaboration with Northern Health issued the air quality advisory for Vanderhoof on Feb. 11 and it was lifted on Feb. 14. Most of the Highway 16 corridor was under the same notice, Weinstein said.
There is poor air quality in Vanderhoof for parts of the year. Weinstein said the district has exceeded the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard for particulate matter.
“Vanderhoof has from a provincial perspective high levels of particulate matter…There are numerous advisories [issued to the community] through the year between five to 15 depending on the weather. And this does not include forest fire days,” Weinstein explained.
There is a significant amount of wood combustion from various sources in the District, such as lumber mills, pellet farms, residential wood heating, he said, noting that is just the emissions part, which when combined with still wind is what causes the poor air quality
To reduce pollution Vanderhoof has a wood stove exchange program. Essentially in this program the applicant would purchase a new stove, obtain an installation permit from the District for which the fees is waived. Then the stove needs to be inspected and Bonfire Pellet & Wood Heating a local company, has partnered with the District to provide a free inspection.
There is a list of stoves available on the district’s website from which the applicant can choose. After the new stove has been bought, the old one needs to be destroyed entirely and then delivered to the District of Vanderhoof Public Works Yard. Staff has to sign off the drop. The last step to claim rebate is to provide the District with proof that a new stove has been purchased, installed and inspected.
At the health level, poor air quality can have an impact on our respiratory and cardiovascular organs, Weinstein said.
“We recommend people monitor their health. People with pre-existing conditions can take actions to reduce their exposure. Staying indoors can help. Running a filter in your house would lower your exposure. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have diabetes, and lung or heart disease,” he explained.
And for people with further questions, Weinstein said the ministry recommends seeking further advice from their health care provider.
Real-time air quality observations and information regarding the health effects of air pollution can be found at http://www.bcairquality.ca.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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