Health Effects
Air pollutants in British Columbia include particulate matter, ground level ozone, total reduced sulphur, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and carbon monoxide.
The City is taking part inthe world's first air quality and health index initiative which reports on air quality similar to UV Index Reports. Current and forecast air quality conditions can be found on the Air Quality Heath Index website.
Particulate Matter (PM)
Defined as either PM10 (1/8 the width of a human hair) or PM 2.5 (1/20 the width of a human hair). These minute particles are released into the air in liquid or solid form and can include dust, dirt, soot and smoke. The sources of PM are vehicles, factories, construction activity, fires, naturally occurring windblown dust and vegetation.
Other hazardous air pollutants may adhere to PM and increase their toxicity. PM can also be formed in the air by chemical reaction of gases such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
PM, especially PM 2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs, damaging lung tissue and reducing lung function.
Ground Level Ozone (O3)
O3 is the main component of smog. It is not a primary air pollutant within the Prince George region.
Ground level ozone is a compound formed in the lower atmosphere through the reaction of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other airborne substances, in the presence of ultraviolet light. Ground level ozone is the same as the ozone in the upper atmosphere. The only difference is elevation.
Ground level ozone in low concentrations can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and can decrease lung function and physical performance.
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Total Reduced Sulphur (TRS)
Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless gas with a rotten egg odour. Total reduced sulphur includes hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide, and other sulphur compounds. Industrial sources of H2S and TRS include fugitive emissions from petroleum refineries, tank farms for unrefined petroleum products, natural gas plants, petrochemical plants, oil sands plants, sewage treatment facilities, pulp and paper plants that use the Kraft pulping process, and animal feedlots. Natural sources of H2S include sulphur hot springs, sloughs, swamps and lakes.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Nitrogen Oxides (which include nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) are produced by burning fuel at high temperatures. The largest emission sources are vehicles, industry, electrical power plants and home heating.
Sulphur Oxides (SOx)
Produced when sulphur-containing fuel is burned, or when reduced sulphur removed from refined fuels or chemical processes is burned to reduce odorous emissions. The main sources of those pollutants include petroleum refineries and pulp and paper mills. The health effects include irritation of the upper respiratory tract, and SOx can lead to eye irritation and shortness of breath.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
An odourless, tasteless and colourless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of engine fuels, (mainly vehicles). CO interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen to the brain, heart and other tissues. Inhaling smaller quantities can slow reflexes, cause fatigue, confusion nausea and dizziness; inhaling larger quantities can be fatal.
You can learn more about descriptions, sources and health impacts from pollutants from the BC Lung Association. http://www.bc.lung.ca/airquality/airquality_primer.html
