Environmental Trends 2007

Air Quality

Overview - What is happening?

Airborne particulate matter and ground-level ozone are the two main air pollutants found in smog. They are of concern because even low levels of exposure may pose a health risk. Once in the lungs, fine particulate matter contributes to bronchitis, aggravates asthma and cardiovascular disease, and causes other lung-related problems. Exposure to ground-level zone causes similar problems.

Over the past few years, there have been several monitoring and regulatory efforts to address the problem of smog and other forms of air pollution. In 2000, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment endorsed Canada-wide Standards (CWS) for ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. These standards set targets for concentrations of both air pollutants to be achieved by the year 2010.

B.C. now uses CWS to measure achievement of objectives to improve air quality.

Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation

In 2006:

• All communities with continuous air monitoring in B.C. had levels below the CWS target for particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (called PM 2.5). Only the levels in Prince George -- the highest in the province -- approached the target.

• Most communities in B.C. had levels below the CWS for ground level ozone. The CWS for ozone was exceeded at Hope for the past 3 years, while readings at Chilliwack, Langley Central and Maple Ridge were at, or near, the CWS threshold.

• For other air pollutants, monitoring showed that levels of nitrogen dioxide in all communities were below the Canadian objective. Levels of sulphur dioxide in all communities, except Trail, met the B.C. annual objective.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].