Generally the air quality in New Brunswick is good.
The level of several pollutants have gradually decreased over the past 25 years, and this means that people have fewer air quality-related health effects. However improvements have flat-lined somewhat in the past 10 years. Although annual averages of pollutants in New Brunswick are below the national standards, even low levels of pollution can be harmful to those with existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions and particularly young children and the elderly.
Three particular air quality issues in the province need improvement:
- Occasionally on warm days in the summer air pollution levels rise as a result of transboundary air flow from the US midwest and southern Ontario. The solution to this is greater collaboration with the US and other Canadian provinces to create emission reduction legislation. On Clean Air Day we can celebrate new Canadian legislation that will be enacted over the next few years to reduce emissions from large industries.
- About 61 per cent of New Brunswick’s fine particulate matter (soot) pollution comes from wood stoves. On Clean air Day we can celebrate that the New Brunswick Lung Association in partnership with the Department of Environment and certain local wood stove retailers, are offering a woodstove change-out program to get rid of older, more polluting, wood stoves.
- Local hot-spots of pollution remain a concern. In some areas there are several sources of pollution occurring near where people live, work and go to school.
The New Brunswick Lung Association and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick invite all New Brunswickers to celebrate our achievements to date and take action to continue to improve air quality in our beautiful province. Remember also to check out the Air Quality Health Index, a great tool to help reduce your own exposure to air pollution (it is found at www.airhealth.ca ).
On Clean Air Day (celebrated on June 4th this year) we celebrate something most of us take for granted – the air we breathe. Working to protect it and keep it clean may seem like a tough job, but when you’re walking or biking to work or the store, suddenly, it just seems like fun. Both organizations wish everyone a Clean Air Day and encourage you to renew your personal commitment to reducing air pollution.
BARB MACKINNON is CEO of the New Brunswick Lung Association
LOIS CORBETT is Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick
Originally published on June 4, 2014 in the Telegraph-Journal