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Environmental Quality Branch VEHICLE EMISSIONS
Smog: an indicator of potential air quality health risk
in the Lower Fraser Valley (Environment Canada)
These fact sheets cover a range of clean air topics, related to smog and vehicle emissions:
No Room to Breathe: Photochemical Smog and Ground-Level Ozone Photochemical smog occurs in the lower portion of our atmosphere, and is mainly produced by vehicle emissions. Its main unhealthy ingredient is "ground-level ozone." This brochure describes what smog is, how it affects our health, and how you can become part of the solution.
Environmental indicators are measuring sticks that can track the results that have been achieved by governments, industries and individuals to protect and improve the environment. The federal AIR indicator focuses on ground-level ozone in Canadian cities.The national seasonal average concentration of ozone increased 16% from 1990 to 2003. NEW Diesel School Bus Retrofit Program The B.C. Air Action Plan calls for making heavy-duty vehicles cleaner. "Clean up school buses" falls under Action #7 in the plan.
The Province is investing $15 million to enhance and expand the successful Scrap-It program across British Columbia, providing strong incentives to take old vehicles with higher greenhouse gas emissions off the road.
The Clean Air Toolkit is designed to help local government develop programs to reduce emissions, such as vehicle exhaust and smoke. It's a joint initiative of the Ministry of Environment, BC Transit and Environment Canada.
Hybrid Vehicles
to Be Added to Province's Fleet, and Tax Relief for Hybrids The Province is adding up to 356 gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles to the government fleet, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other air pollutants. The government aims to have 30% of the government fleet made up of green vehicles by 2008. Also, the government announced in the 2005 budget speech a three-year tax relief for people buying hybrid vehicles: a savings of up to $2,000 in PST. News Release: 356 Vehicles
Added to B.C.'s Green Fleet Backgrounder: Advantages
of Increasing B.C.'s Hybrid Fleet
The Hybrid Experience Report (Fraser
Basin Council, Fleet Challenge BC) Hybrid electric vehicles (hybrids) are a new technology that combines the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with a rechargeable battery and electric motor. The Hybrid Experience Report documents the real-world performance of 100 hybrids. Results include substantially lower fuel costs and reductions in air pollution. The report includes information and easy-to-use calculators to help buyers make choices based on fuel savings, emission reduction, and overall cost.
This report evaluates the kinds of incentives that can be used to encourage participation in the Scrap-It Program. The incentives ranking highest are the electric bicycle, electric vehicle and existing vehicle fix-it program.
This vehicle-emission testing program began operation in the Lower Fraser Valley in September 1992, and is a crucial weapon in the fight against smog. The program was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and the Metro Vancouver. It is now run by Translink.
EcoTravelling.co.uk was formed in late 2005 to offer a unique reference point on environmentally friendly travel. Everywhere we travel we leave a carbon footprint. The information on this site will help you ensure it's as small and ethical as possible.
Canada-wide
Standards for PM and Ozone: This provides an overview of B.C.'s progress towards meeting the Canada-wide Standards (CWS)
for particulate matter (PM) and ozone by 2010. It includes a summary of PM and ozone data up to and including 2005, and describes activities underway in support of CWS achievement.
It was released in conjunction with the national document, below. (See also Background Concentrations of PM2.5 and Ozone in British
Columbia, Canada.)
This is an interim report on progress across the country towards meeting the Canada-wide Standards for particulate matter and ozone, passed in June 2000. British Columbia's report, above, is linked with the CCME report.
This report describes preliminary estimates of background particulate matter (PM) and ozone levels, based on a review of current literature and available
monitoring data. It also provides recommendations on how refined estimates of background levels may be better determined.
Data Collection and Analysis of Non-Certified AirCare Repairs This report presents data collected on AirCare-required vehicle repairs that were done at non-certified repair shops (the type, effectiveness and
cost of repairs). This data is valuable in assessing how important non-certified repairs are to the AirCare program and how they compare to certified repairs. The project findings could
result in modified policies pertaining to the repair industry, certification, monitoring and conditional passes.
Motor Vehicle Emissions Reduction Regulation: Review of Issues
and Options This report was prepared to meet the legislative requirement for a review of the effectiveness of B.C.'s
1995 Motor Vehicle Emissions Reduction Regulation. It looks at both the issues and options,and was prepared by an independent consultant, with the Cleaner Technology Vehicles Committee.
Ground-level ozone concentrations measured at various sites in British Columbia have been summarized for the period of 1986-1997. The full report is available in PDF. A hard copy of the report may also be obtained by contacting the Environmental Quality Branch. A summary of the findings is available in the Executive Summary.
Ground-Level Ozone in British Columbia: Status and Trends (B.C. State of Environment Indicators) Environmental indicators are measuring sticks that track the results achieved by governments, industries and individuals to protect and improve the environment. This indicator focuses on the state of ground-level ozone in 2001.
This is a progress report on how well the July 1996 recommendations and goals set by the Cleaner Technology Vehicles (CTV) Committee have been met. Government and industry have taken important steps to increase CTV purchase and use in B.C., and enhance the alternative fuel infrastructure.
This report reviews the potential markets and estimated economic impacts associated with developing and producing fuel cells for transportation applications.
This study evaluates the impact of specifying gasoline composition for the refineries that produce gasoline for sale in British Columbia. Motor Vehicle Emissions
Control Warranty Regulation This regulation prohibits the sale or the making available for sale, of a motor vehicle in British Columbia unless the manufacturer promises to fix the vehicle free of charge if there are defects in materials or workmanship that cause the vehicle to fail emission standards, or the vehicle fails AirCare.
The Cleaner Gasoline Regulation establishes standards for gasoline that will significantly reduce emissions of harmful pollutants, such as volatile organics, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and toxics.
This regulation requires the installation and use of gasoline vapour-control systems at service stations, bulk gasoline-storage plants, gasoline terminals — and on truck cargo tankers. These systems are designed to prevent the escape of gasoline vapours into the atmosphere during the transfer of gasoline between fuel storage tanks and cargo tankers.
Gasoline Vapour Control Regulation Guide to Compliance This guide has been published to help individuals and companies install and use gasoline vapour-control systems, in compliance with the Gasoline Vapour Control Regulation.
The Sulphur Content of Fuel Regulation specifies the level of sulphur allowed in fuel used for heating, power generation or combustion. |
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Smog
is a potential risk to health in the Lower Fraser Valley. This report is one of the Environmental Indicators of Environment Canada's Pacific and Yukon Region. It provides a detailed
explanation of what smog is, the health and other risks.The report also discusses what is being done to combat this major air quality problem.
The
ministry has adopted a formal, work bike policy that encourages staff, on a voluntary basis, to use bicycles for travel on government business whenever it is cost effective. The policy
supports the ministry's mandate to improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also supports the 
This
report examines options for B.C. vehicle tailpipe emission standards for the post-2004 period. Among the factors considered are the vehicle emissions targeted, air quality improvements,
potential health benefits and costs to consumers in the Lower Fraser Valley. It supported a B.C. government decision that US Tier 2 federal standards brought the best air quality benefits
at that time. Canada subsequently adopted those standards and B.C. repealed its outdated Motor Vehicle Emissions Reduction Regulation.
The
purpose of this study was to give the Province of British Columbia and BC Transit enough information to decide on a fuel choice for BC Transit's 1997 bus purchase; and to provide a
framework for future transit fuel choices.
