The provincial environment ministry is investigating a sulphur spike that struck downtown last night.
According to the ministry's air quality index, Prince George's total reduced sulphur count hit 258 Monday. The ministry said the surge occurred between 8-9:15 p.m. Aug. 6 and it is working to track down the source.
A ministry spokesperson was unavailable at press time.
The AQI number is based on the maximum reading the ministry has taken over the last 24 hours.
Total reduced sulphur (TRS) compounds, according to Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, are not usually considered a health hazard; however, such compounds do produce offensive odours similar to rotten eggs or cabbage. A reading of 100 or over is considered Very Poor on the ministry's AQI, meaning there are 1,000 parts per billion or more of the compounds in the air. It says, at that level, there will be a severe odour present and some people may experience nausea and headaches.
Prince George's TRS AQI readings for Aug. 1-3 (there were no readings available for the long weekend) were 5 (Good), 28 (Fair), and 32 (Fair).
According to the Ontario ministry, common industry sources of TRS include the steel industry; pulp and paper mills; refineries; and sewage treatment facilities. Natural sources include swamps, bogs and marshes.
