Written by GORDON HOEKSTRA
Citizen staff
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Wednesday, 01 October 2008 |
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BCCOLLEGE HEIGHTS
The Tuesday advisory was the fourth of the year.
While the rolling 24-hour average level of fine particulates 10 micrograms or smaller, commonly known as PM10 and about one-fifth the width of a human hair, remained above the advisory trigger-level of 50 micrograms per cubic metre on Wednesday, the hourly levels were dropping, noted B.C. Environment official Mellissa Winfield-Lesk.
As the hourly levels were expected to continue dropping with wind speeds rising, the advisory was cancelled, said Winfield-Lesk.
At noon on Wednesday, the 24-rolling average PM10 level at the Plaza monitoring station downtown was 54 micrograms per cubic metre, 55 at the BCR industrial site and 28 at College Heights.
Also at noon, the level of fine particulates 2.5 microns and smaller was 36 downtown and 22 in College Heights.
During Wednesday morning, when the fine particulate levels were still above the air-advisory trigger level, a plume of dark, grey smoke could be seen coming from Lakeland Mills. The plume decreased in size quickly, but continued to be visible until just before noon.
Lakeland Mills president Keith Anderson said the plant's energy system was being cleaned, which happens every month. He noted that the fans must be kept on so that workers inside "don't get too clogged up." As a result dust is emitted up the stacks.
Anderson said once the energy system was fired back up Wednesday afternoon the emissions would be clear.
The B.C. Environment Ministry issued the fourth advisory of the year at 2 p.m. on Tuesday when the PM10 level downtown was 52, 35 at the BCR industrial site and 21 at College Heights. At the same time the PM2.5 level downtown was 18 and at College Heights it was 10.
The provincial environment ministry said that based on the air quality data downtown at College Heights, the high levels were due to a mix of dust (course particles) and combustion emissions (smoke).
A high pressure ridge had brought warm, dry conditions with calm winds, which resulted in pollutants accumulating in the air shed, said the ministry.
Prince George has perennially been among the communities in B.C. with the worst fine particulate levels.
Fine particulates are considered a health risk because the microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs. Fine particulates have been linked to heart and lung diseases, as well as asthma.
For up-to-date hourly air pollution levels visit:
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/aqiis/air.summary
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 October 2008 )
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