State of Environment Reporting

Air Quality in British Columbia

Percentage of Monitored Communities Exposed to Human Health Risks from Fine Particulates for more than 18 days, or 5% of the time.

SOURCE: BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 2001, Air Resources Branch.

Selected British Columbia communities where air quality is a concern are monitored for concentrations of fine particulates (referred to as PM₁₀), such as airborne particles of dust, dirt, soot and smoke. In 2000, the PM₁₀ level at which health risks are known to occur (25µg/m³) was exceeded on more than 18 days, or 5% of the time, in 24 of the 38 monitored communities.

This level was exceeded more than 10% of the time in 21 communities. Consistent improvements in PM₁₀ levels over the past three years were recorded in some of the monitored communities. Those most at risk from fine particulates are individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, asthmatics, the elderly and children.