By Lynda Myer
Due to the high concentrations of ground-level ozone that are expected to persist through the week, currently Metro Vancouver is issuing an Air Quality Advisory for eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. While hot and sunny weather is estimated to continue through to the weekend, a plume of wildfire smoke from the Nohomin Creek fire (near Lytton, BC) is currently contributing to hazy conditions over the region but there has been no significant impact on measured fine particulate matter concentrations at ground-level.
Although ground-level ozone is not emitted directly into the air, by a combination of nitrogen oxides (pollutants emitted when fuels are burned) and volatile organic (emitted from solvents and other sources) and their reaction in the air in the presence of sunlight, this can be formed. Between mid-afternoon and early evening on summer days are the times that the highest levels of ground-level ozone are generally observed.
Metro Vancouver works in cooperation with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fraser Valley Regional District, and the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to look after air quality.
Information about real-time air quality readings for Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley communities and potential health impacts can be found here and here.
