an introduction to air quality in new brunswick · 4 new brunswick department of the environment...

An Introduction toAir Quality inNew Brunswick

Environment andLocal Government

AN INTRODUCTION TO AIR QUALITY IN NEW BRUNSWICK

1

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 2

The Air We Breathe ............................................................................................ 3

What Affects Air Quality? ........................................................................................ 3

Monitoring Air Quality .............................................................................................5

What’s In the Air ............................................................................................... 8

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) ............................................................................................... 8

Acid Deposition ........................................................................................................ 9

Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) ........................................................................................... 9

Total Reduced Sulphur .................................................................................. 11

Particulate Matter .................................................................................................. 11

Total Suspended Particulate .......................................................................... 12

Fine Particulate .............................................................................................. 12

Acid Aerosols ................................................................................................. 13

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) ...........................................................................................13

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ...................................................................... 13

Ground-Level Ozone (03) ......................................................................................... 15

Smog Advisories ............................................................................................. 15

Carbon Monoxide (CO) ..........................................................................................16

Mercury .......................................................................................................... 17

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) ............................................................................................ 18

Global Warming ............................................................................................ 19

Working Together ............................................................................................ 20

What Improves Air Quality? ................................................................................... 20

What Can Individuals Do?.....................................................................................22

An Introduction toAir Quality in New Brunswick

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2 NEW BRUNSWICK DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT


New Brunswickers enjoy relativelyclean and healthy air, compared tomany other parts of the world. Butrapid changes in human activitiesover the past century have takentheir toll, in New Brunswick andaround the world. Clean air is notsomething we can ever take forgranted.

We know from research that airpollution can have an effect both onthe health of our environment andon human health. In New Brunswick,the Department of the Environmentand Local Government works toprotect and enhance the quality of airin the outdoor environment. Indoorair quality is the responsibility of theDepartment of Health and Wellness,except for places of business, where itis the responsibility of the WorkplaceHealth, Safety and CompensationCommission (employees of thefederal government working inNew␣ Brunswick are covered by federallegislation). Because air travelsindoors and out, from province toprovince, and across internationalborders, air pollution managementcan be a very complicated, multi-jurisdictional challenge.

The better we understand the issues,the more we can do to ensure goodair quality for the future. As a startingpoint, this booklet provides anintroduction to the things affectingair quality, with special emphasis onNew Brunswick’s experience, andsuggests sources for more informationon topics that may be of particularinterest to you.

Here, we look at the air pollution thataffects our province, and discuss thefactors that can influence the qualityof our air. We discuss some of themore common pollutants: what theyare, where they come from, and howthey can affect our environment andour health. We also explain theexisting programs and legislation thathelp us protect air quality, keep trackof how we’re doing, and takeappropriate action when pollutionbecomes a problem. Finally, wesuggest some positive ways in whichindividual New Brunswickers can takeaction for cleaner air.

Introduction

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NEW BRUNSWICK DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT


3

The Air We Breathe

The composition of air changesalmost constantly from season toseason, and is strongly affected by theweather. It changes, too, because oflocal, regional and internationalfactors, as well as natural events andhuman activities.

“Pure” air contains about 79%nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.04%carbon dioxide, with argon and traceamounts of other gases andcomponents, some of them havingan impact on the environment andhuman health. “Air pollution” is thegeneral term to describe excessiveamounts of unwanted, potentiallyharmful elements in our atmosphere.

Air pollution can cause a wide rangeof health effects, particularly forchildren, the elderly, and people withrespiratory or heart problems. It canalso reduce visibility, cause damage tomaterials, decrease crop production,harm forests, fish and wildlife, andalter the quality of our lakes, streams,and drinking water. Some aircontaminants can affect buildingsand other man-made structures. Airpollutants may also cause nuisanceissues that affect our comfort andwell-being, such as excessive dust andodours.

What Affects AirQuality?

Air pollution comes in manydifferent forms, and from manydifferent sources. Nature has a handin it: carbon dioxide, ash and smokefrom forest fires, windblown dust andpollen, electrical storms, salt sprayfrom the ocean, and even theeruption of a far-off volcano canaffect the quality of air inNew␣ Brunswick.

Many pollutants are present naturallyin the environment. Human activitiescan also increase the concentration ofpollutants in the atmosphere. Forexample, by spreading sand onwinter roads or crushing rock in agravel pit, we increase the amount ofdust in the air.

Not surprisingly, the “man-made”sources of air pollution tend toconcern us more on a day-to-daybasis than natural sources. Forexample, when humans burn tires orgarbage, or use a woodstoveimproperly, a whole range of harmfulgases are released into theatmosphere. The largest sources ofman-made air pollution are theburning of fossil fuels: fortransportation, to heat our buildings,to make electricity, and to operateindustries.

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Long-Range Transport

Borders mean nothing when it comesto air pollution. In fact, much ofNew␣ Brunswick’s air pollution istransboundary in origin, comingfrom sources beyond our provincialborders. That’s why the federalgovernment has a significant role toplay in monitoring long-rangepollutants, and in establishingagreements with other jurisdictions.

Air masses can cross the heavilypopulated and industrialized areas ofcentral Canada and the United Statesbefore they reach us, picking uppollutants on the way. (Think of thehazy yellow skies we sometimesexperience when large forest firesburn in Ontario and Québec.)

As a rule, southern New Brunswickgets more pollution from long-rangetransport than the northern parts ofthe province, which tend to beinfluenced by cleaner air masses.

What distanceair pollutantswill traveldepends onwhat they are,on where andhow they areemitted, and onatmosphericconditions.Pollutants thatstay in the lowerlevels of theatmosphere are

often deposited near their source,while others are transported many

hundreds of kilometres before theireffects are noticed. In New Bruns-wick, the long-range transport effectis significant for ground-level ozone(see p.15), acid deposition (see p. 9),and fine particulates (see pg. 12).

Local Effects

Local geographicand weatherconditions havea stronginfluence on airquality. Thefunnel shape ofthe Bay of Fundy,for example, canchannel pollutedair from thesouthwest intothe southeasternpart of theprovince, andthose coldAtlantic watershelp to cool air close to the surface,which can prevent pollution fromrising and mixing.

Pollutants tend to gather in low-lyingareas or valleys, and New Brunswick’srolling terrain has lots of “pockets”where temperature inversions aremore frequent and winds are light.Inversions occur when temperatureincreases with height instead ofdecreases, creating an invisible barrierthat prevents pollutants fromscattering as they would normally.

Other local New Brunswick effectsinclude fog and wind patterns aroundthe Bay of Fundy. When fog blankets

The Jet Stream

The Jet Stream is a zone of strongupper-level winds that carries majorweather systems around the worldin the general direction of west toeast. The jet stream can have aneffect on surface air flow and, as aresult, on the distribution andremoval of pollutants from theatmosphere.

Where Does Our AirPollution Originate?

Studies suggest that a large portionof New Brunswick’s air pollutioncomes from sources outside theprovince. Some pollutants, such asground-level ozone, are significantlytransboundary in origin. Also, someareas of the province may be moreaffected by transboundary airpollution than others. This doesn’tlet us off the hook from addressingthe remaining “home-grown”sources, but it’s important to knowwhen looking at the big picture.

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5

our communities, it reduces visibilityand its moisture may react withpollutants, aggravating their effectson humans and the environment.

A fresh breeze may appear to “clearthe air,” but it isn’t always as good asit may seem. Coastal breezes canre-circulate the same air mass,sometimes more than once. Pollutedair may travel offshore and returninland over populated areas, possiblymore than once, leading to episodesof reduced air quality. Wind can alsostir up dust, and spread the sporesand pollen released by plants, addingto the discomfort of allergy sufferers.

Monitoring Air Quality

When people refer to “fresh” air, weusually mean that the atmospherearound us has no smoke or pollutantsthat we can see, and no unpleasanttaste or smell. But subjectivemeasurements based on look, taste orsmell can be misleading. The onlyway to know for certain what’s in theair — and what it implies for ourenvironment and our health — is tomonitor and analyze it.

That’s why the Department of theEnvironment and Local Governmentmonitors a variety of pollutants atstrategic locations and industrial sitesthroughout New Brunswick.

An Example of the Long Range Transport Effect

5. Sensitive Ecosystems

1. Emissions

2. Transport

3. Transformation

4. Deposition

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Monitoring is carried outcontinuously, and industries arerequired to take steps to cut theiremissions when levels begin toapproach provincial limits, known asstandards and/or national guidelines.

For more information on air qualitymonitoring programs, call ourSciences and Reporting Branch at(506) 457-4844, or pick up a copy ofour publication, “Air QualityMonitoring in New Brunswick,”which is also available on the web athttp://www.gnb.ca/elg-egl/0009/0003-e.html.

The IQUA Program

New Brunswick’s IQUA (Index of theQuality of the Air) Program reports tothe public on current air qualityconditions. It uses an easy-to-understand scale that ranks airquality as Good, Fair, Poor or (veryrarely) Very Poor, based on monitoringdata from sites around the province.

To make IQUA information availableto as many people as possible, theNew Brunswick Department of theEnvironment and Local Governmentprovides recorded messages as part ofEnvironment Canada’s telephoneweather forecast system. Messages areupdated frequently. IQUA reports areavailable by telephoning thefollowing numbers:

Fredericton: 506-451-6001Moncton: 506-851-6610Saint John: 506-636-4991Bathurst: 506-548-3220Miramichi: 506-773-7045Acadian Peninsula: 506-726-5288Edmundston: 506-739-1814

You can also access IQUA reports onthe Internet via our website atwww.gnb.ca/elg-egl/0009/0003-e.html.

For more detailed information aboutIQUA, ask for a copy of ourpublication, “Air Quality Monitoringin New Brunswick”.

Pollutant Concentrations

Concentrations of air pollutantsare␣ measured in tiny amounts.For␣ example, ppm means “partsper␣ million,” and ppb means “partsper␣ billion.” One ppb is just anotherway of saying there is one partcontaminant to every billion partsof␣ air. Think of one drop of waterin␣ an inground swimming pool or,in␣ terms of time, one second in32␣ years.

Pollen is the Culprit

That yellow “dust” you may seeoutside on some spring or summermornings is probably pollen. It cansometimes be seen on the ground,on vehicles parked outsideovernight, and even on the surfaceof lakes. The pollen is released inlarge amounts by coniferous treessuch as spruce, fir, pine and cedar.

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7

Ambient* Air Quality Monitoring Stationsin New Brunswick

Symbols

Acid Rain

Ozone

Other Contaminants*

* Carbon Monoxide (CO)Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)Particulate Matter (PM)

*Ambient - Refers to the surroundingair, generally outside andsurrounding a source location.

Ambient Networks(Multiple Stations)Location # of Stations

Belledune 9Dalhousie 9Edmundston 2Fredericton 2Grand Lake 4Miramichi 5Saint John 13

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What’s in the Air

Air is made up of many differentsubstances. Most of them areharmless or, like oxygen, evenessential to sustain human life. Anumber of substances, however, canalter air quality when they occur inhigh enough concentrations. Some ofthese combine with water vapour tomake acid rain, for example, whileothers may lead to changes in theglobal climate. Many are known topose a threat to the environment andto human health.

Let’s take a look at some of the morecommon air pollutants — what theyare, where they come from, and theimplications for the naturalenvironment and our health.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

What is it?Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colourlessgas. It has a sharp odour, like that ofa struck match. At higherconcentrations, many people cannotice an acid taste in the air.

Where does it come from?Sulphur dioxide is a by-product of theburning of sulphur-bearing fuels suchas oil and coal. Major sources arefossil-fuel-powered generatingstations, oil refineries, pulp mills,smelters, and industrial heatingsystems.

What does it do?High concentrations of SO2 candamage trees and agricultural crops,and corrode metals. People withrespiratory conditions or chroniclung and heart diseases are the mostsensitive to SO2 and may experienceproblems. Even those without theseconditions may find it irritating tothe eyes and throat.

SO2 combines with water vapour inthe clouds to form an acid, just asnitrogen oxides (NOx) do, andcontributes significantly to aciddeposition. We continue to monitorand control significant sources of SO2in New Brunswick.

Some CommonAir Pollutants

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)Acid DepositionParticulate MatterHydrogen Sulphide (H2S)Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Ground-Level Ozone (O3)Carbon Monoxide (CO)Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

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Acid Deposition

What is it?Acid deposition, also referredto as acid rain, is a genericterm used to describe a processin which certain pollutantscombine with moisture in theair. When this happens, it cancreate a very dilute acid, whichin turn produces acid rain,snow, fog and dust particles.

Where does it come from?Oxides of sulphur like SO2 andnitrogen oxides (NOx), both ofwhich may convert in theatmosphere to sulphuric acidand nitric acid, are the maincauses of acid deposition.Other pollutants may also addto the problem.

While some New Brunswick sources,such as fossil-fuelled powergeneration facilities, contribute to theproblem, more than half of the aciddeposition we receive in our region istransported from sources in centralCanada and the eastern UnitedStates.

What does it do?Acid deposition damages the foliageof trees and plants, and can reducethe yields of food crops. It makes thewaters of our lakes and streams moreacidic, can alter the ecosystemswhich support fish, forests andwildlife, and can change the qualityof our drinking water.

Acidified water tends to absorbmetals such as arsenic, which occursnaturally in the soil, and mercury,which may be present in the soil andin the air. Fine acid particles mayhave harmful effects on humans.

The southwestern corner ofNew␣ Brunswick is the most stronglyaffected, as it tends to lie in the directpath of major weather systems andhas extremely acid-sensitive soils andwatersheds. In addition, the naturalbuffering capacity of bedrock geologyand surface water in more northernparts of the province are better ableto combat the effects of aciddeposition.

A typical acid rain monitor

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Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)

What is it?Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is acolourless gas that is heavier than air.One of the Total Reduced Sulphur(TRS) gases (see p. 11), it has thecharacteristic smell of rotten eggs.

Where does it come from?In nature, hydrogen sulphide occursbeneath the earth’s surface as animpurity in natural gas, and may alsobe formed during naturaldecomposition, such as in marshesand swamps. Industrial sources of H2Sinclude kraft pulp mills, oil refineries,wastewater treatment facilities,livestock feedlots and fish processingplants.

What does it do?Even at very low concentrations (lessthan one ppb), we’re certainly awareof the presence of H2S due to itsunmistakable smell. At higherconcentrations it can be irritating tothe eyes and mucous membranes,aggravate respiratory conditions andcause nausea, fatigue and headaches.The severity of its health effects willincrease with higher concentrationsand longer exposure times.

H2S is very corrosive to certain metalsand dissolves in water to form anacid. It converts to sulphur dioxide(SO2) when it is burned, whichcontributes to acid rain.

Concentrations of H2S are monitoredat several locations in New␣ Brunswick.

What Are We Doing AboutAcid Deposition?

New Brunswick’s province-wide acid depositionmonitoring program includes a combination of sitesthat measure the impact in different areas of theprovince and the influence of provincial andtransboundary sources of emissions. Testing aciditylevels of rain, snow and surface water, and thechemical makeup of airborne particulate, are amongthe methods used to study this problem. Analysis ofweather patterns is also essential.

The Eastern Canada Acid Rain Program has led to a50␣ % reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions fromlocal sources since 1980. The 1991 Canada/UnitedStates Air Quality Agreement, and the 1998 Acid RainAction Plan of the Conference of New EnglandGovernors/Eastern Canadian Premiers, are examplesof cooperative efforts to address transboundarysources. The Acid Rain Action Plan aims to reduceacid rain-causing emissions and to coordinate a cross-border research and monitoring program.

While much progress has been made on the aciddeposition front in the past, it still remains an issueneeding our attention.

For more information on acid deposition, write to:Inquiry Centre, Environment Canada351 St. Joseph Boulevard, Hull, Québec K1A 0H3;visit Environment Canada’s acid rain site on theInternet at www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain/index.html; or callthe New Brunswick Department of the Environmentand Local Government’s Sciences and ReportingBranch at (506) 457-4844.

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Particulate Matter

What is it?Particulate matter are airborne,invisible specks of solid or liquidmatter, including dust, ash, soot,

What is TRS?The Nose Knows!

If you notice a distinctive “rottenegg” smell in the air outside, youare detecting the presence of agroup of gases known as TotalReduced Sulphur (TRS). Thesesulphur-containing gases are aby-product of the kraft pulpingprocess, which uses heat andchemicals to break down woodchips into fibres for makingpaper.

Reduced sulphur compoundshave a low “odour threshold,”which means we can easily smellthem at levels as low as one partper billion. At such lowconcentrations, TRS gases arewell below recommendedguidelines and generally more ofa nuisance than a healthconcern.

Less TRS gas is produced in thenewer kraft paper productionprocesses, and the odours createdare controlled more effectivelythan they once were. As well,TRS can sometimes be capturedfor use within the mill itself, topower furnaces or incinerators.Concentrations of TRS aremonitored continuously atseveral locations inNew␣ Brunswick.

smoke, or tiny particles of pollutants.Most are smaller than grains of pollen— small enough to be transportedlong distances through the air.Particulate matter can be a significantform of air pollution.

Where does it come from?Particulate is created by combustionprocesses such as woodstoves, byburning coal or refuse, and by forestfires. Industrial fuel use, constructionactivity, motor vehicles, road dustand agricultural operations alsocontribute. Natural sources includewindblown pollen, dust, fine sand,ocean salt spray, and volcanoes.Other particles form in the air whengases such as sulphur dioxide (SO2)and nitrogen oxides (NOx) reacttogether. These particles are partlyresponsible for the yellowish “smog”sometimes seen over large cities.

What does it do?Very small or “fine” particles, whichare invisible, can enter the lungs andslow the intake of oxygen, which canput stress on the respiratory system.People with respiratory problems aremost vulnerable to the effects of highconcentrations.

The effects of particulate matter areoften visible, especially over longperiods and with large amounts ofexposure. For example, soot-blackened buildings can sometimesbe seen in older industrial areas.

Particulates can reduce visibility bycausing haze or smog. Depending ontheir composition, particles may alsodamage vegetation and corrodemetalwork and other materials.

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Total Suspended Particulate(TSP)

Total suspended particulate (TSP) hasbeen a standard pollutionmeasurement for many years. Itincludes natural particles, such aspollen and spores, as well as particlesfrom vehicles or smokestacks.Particles of all sizes are included. TSPlevels may be higher in rural areasduring the spring “allergy season”when many plants and grasses releasetheir pollen; in urban areas, TSP mayreflect traffic volume, construction,or other dust-generating activities.

Fine Particulate

Health studies over the past decadehave drawn our attention toparticulate air pollution, andespecially to those particles smallenough to be taken into the lungswhen we breathe.

Fine inhalable particulates are closelylinked to human respiratory andcardiovascular problems, but moreresearch is required to determineexactly how they cause these healtheffects. Most jurisdictions in NorthAmerica are working towards new orrevised air quality standards forinhalable particulate. In Canada, asub-group of the Canadian Council ofMinisters of the Environment is alsoaddressing the issue.

PM 10PM10 describes particles that are10 microns or less in diameter. Amicron is only one-millionth of ametre, so a PM10 particle isinvisible to the naked eye, largerthan a smoke particle but smallerthan the dust raised by drivingon an unpaved road.

PM10 can be made up of pollen,spores, and dust from roads,quarries and tire wear, withsmaller contributions from seasalt, diesel exhaust, and NOx andSO2 emissions.

PM2.5Some studies suggest that evensmaller particles — those of 2.5microns in diameter and less —warrant closer attention. PM2.5,generally referred to as inhalableparticulate, is the particle sizemost known for reducingvisibility, and includes smokeparticles. Chemically, PM 2.5 isusually much higher in sulphates,nitrates, carbon and heavy metalsthan PM10.

The most common source ofPM2.5 is fossil fuel combustion,including vehicle exhaust andindustrial emissions, with veryminor contributions coming fromroad or quarry dust and sea salt.

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Acid Aerosols

Acid aerosols are fine particlescontaining high levels of sulphur-related compounds, normally createdas a result of human activity. As airmasses move across the heavilyindustrialized parts of the continent,they may pick up acid aerosols andcarry them into the southernMaritimes. Like other transboundarypollution, acid aerosol episodes areinfluenced by weather conditions andthe amount of emissions upwind, aswell as by local emissions.

The New Brunswick Department ofthe Environment and LocalGovernment cooperated with federalscientists from 1992 to 1994 in adetailed study known as theCanadian Acid Aerosol MeasurementProgram (CAAMP). Monitoring tookplace at both urban and rural sites inthe Saint John area, and, forcomparison, at locations acrosseastern Canada. The findings ofCAAMP will increase ourunderstanding of the effect of fineparticles in the air.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

What are they?Nitrogen oxides are a group of gasesproduced when nitrogen and oxygencombine, typically when fuels areburned at high temperatures andpressures. Nitrogen oxides — whichinclude nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitricoxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O), andother nitrogen-oxygen compounds —are collectively referred to as NOx.

Where do they come from?A major source of NOx inNew␣ Brunswick is the combustion offossil fuels by motor vehicles andpower generating stations. Othersources include kraft and paper mills,wood burning, waste incineration, oilrefining and gas production, and anycombustion process.

What do they do?NOx can irritate the lungs and lowerour resistance to respiratoryinfections. It can damage vegetation,including food crops. NOx can alsodamage a wide range of materials; forexample, it corrodes metals, causesfading of fabrics, and degrades rubber.

NOx is a major factor in theformation of acid deposition (or acidrain). Also, when combined withVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)in sunlight, NOx contributes to theformation of ground-level ozone andsmog (see ground-level ozone, p. 14and 15).

In general, New Brunswick’s emissionsof NOx are ranked as moderate tolow. Air masses that travel throughcentral Canada and the northeasternUnited States before reachingNew␣ Brunswick can also bring NOxwith them.

Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs)

What are they?VOCs are a group of carbon-containing substances. Some of thesecompounds take the form of gases;those that are liquids — such asgasoline — will readily evaporate,hence the term “volatile.”

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Thousands of different VOCs exist inthe air, many of which occurnaturally. Only some VOCs have animportant impact on air quality,because they are toxic, because theyare concentrated, or because they canreact in the air to form othersubstances.

Where do they come from?The production and burning of fossilfuels is a major source. Man-madeVOCs come from a variety ofindustrial processes, and from theevaporation of liquid solvents andfuels such as gasoline, paint thinner,rubbing alcohol, and barbecue starteror lighter fluid. Oil-based paint alsoemits VOCs.

What do they do?Volatile Organic Compounds,reacting with other substances suchas NOx in the presence of heat andstrong sunshine, contribute to theformation of ground-level ozoneand smog. Some VOCs are also toxicin their own right, such as benzene.

New Brunswick is represented onthe Canadian Council of Ministersof the Environment (CCME). A keyCCME initiative is the NOx/VOCManagement Plan aimed atresolving ground-level ozoneproblems in Canada. Work onCanada-Wide Standards for ozonewill also support this.

“Good” Ozone Versus Ground-Level Ozone

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

Stratosphere

Research Balloons

Protective Natural Ozone Layer

Troposphere Limit of Most Clouds

DamagingGround-level Ozone

Alt

itud

e (k

m)

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Ground-Level Ozone (O3)

What is it?Ozone is an invisible and odourlessgas. It is often found at relativelyhigh concentrations during hot, hazysummer weather. In such conditions,ground-level ozone may build up dayby day into a white or yellowish hazecalled smog. Fine particles in the airgive smog its colour.

Where does it come from?Unlike most other air pollutants,ozone is not directly emitted but isformed as a result of a chemicalreaction. It forms when VOCs andNOx in the atmosphere react in thepresence of strong sunlight. Electricalstorms also produce some ozone.

Most of our ozone pollution is carriedhere by air masses originating inheavily populated regions in thenortheastern United States andcentral Canada. Although thenumber of smog episodes varies withseasonal weather conditions,New␣ Brunswick’s “smog season”usually runs from May to October.The southern parts of the provinceare most strongly affected.

What does it do?Ground-level ozone can irritate thelungs and make breathing difficult.Ground-level ozone can also causedamage to sensitive crops such aspotatoes and tomatoes, cause damageto forests and other vegetation,weaken rubber tires, and attackmetals and painted surfaces.

For more information about ground-level ozone, VOCs, NOx and smog, seethe New Brunswick Department of theEnvironment and Local Governmentpublication, “Information About Smogin New␣ Brunswick,” available on theInternet at http://www.gnb.ca/elg-egl/0009/0003-e.html, or by calling(506)␣ 453-3700 or any of our regionaloffices. Environment Canada’s “GreenLane” at http://www.ec.gc.ca also hasinformation about smog.

Smog Advisories

From May to October, the New BrunswickDepartments of the Environment and LocalGovernment, and Health and Wellness, along withEnvironment Canada, provide daily smog forecastsand issue Smog Advisories when air quality isexpected to be poor due to high concentrations ofground-level ozone. The advisories enable individualsto make informed decisions about their health andactivities.

Smog Advisories provide information about theeffects of ground-level ozone on the environment andhuman health, and suggest measures everyone cantake to improve the situation.

Smog Advisories are heard during regular radioweather broadcasts, or may be accessed throughEnvironment Canada’s recorded weather informationtelephone lines:Fredericton: 506-451-6001Moncton: 506-851-6610Saint John: 506-636-4991Bathurst: 506-548-3220Miramichi: 506-773-7045Acadian Peninsula: 506-726-5288Edmundston: 506-739-1814Information on the New Brunswick Smog Forecast isalso available on the Internet at http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/ozone.html.

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Carbon Monoxide (CO)

What is it?Carbon monoxide (CO) is acolourless, odourless and tastelessgas.

High in the stratosphere, far abovethe earth’s surface, the naturalozone layer protects us fromharmful ultraviolet rays. Studieshave revealed that the release ofcertain Ozone DepletingSubstances (ODS) has caused theozone layer to thin, and steps havebeen taken to restrict the release ofthese substances to protect theozone layer. Unlike the naturalozone layer, however, groundlevelozone is the result of a chemicalreaction that takes place in thelower atmosphere — just abovethe earth’s surface — and isharmful to human health.

Why is ozone depletion aproblem?

As our natural ozone “sunscreen”is depleted, more harmfulradiation can reach the earth,leading to various health impacts.Many trees and plants are affectedtoo, including those important toour food supply. Even plants in theocean are thought to be harmed,possibly threatening marineecosystems as well as foodfisheries.

Good and Bad Ozone

What are we doing about it?

On the international scene, theMontreal Protocol (1987) was alandmark agreement to reduceand ultimately eliminate ODS. Itmarked the beginning of seriousattention on the part ofgovernments to the issue.

In New Brunswick, we havefollowed through with the OzoneDepleting Substances Regulationunder the Clean Air Act. TheRegulation prohibits the release ofODS into the air, bans non-essential uses of these substances,and requires that labels beattached to products containingODS. As well, people who workwith ODS must be trained andprovincially certified to handlethem.

For more information, see theNew Brunswick Department of theEnvironment and LocalGovernment publication,“Understanding the Law:An␣ Overview of New Brunswick’sOzone Depleting SubstancesRegulation.”

Where does it come from?CO is produced by the incompleteburning of carbon-containingmaterials such as coal, oil, gasoline,wood, or natural gas. Forest fires,industrial activity, and home heatingsystems also contribute significantly.

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Motor vehicles are also a majorsource of carbon monoxide. Highlevels of CO are found on city streetswith heavy traffic and in confinedspaces like parking garages.

What does it do?CO primarily affects the body’scardiovascular and nervous systems.Symptoms may include dizziness,headaches, and fatigue. Very highexposure to CO has been linked withimpairment of vision, work capacity,learning ability, manual dexterity andperformance of complex tasks.

CO interferes with the blood’s abilityto carry oxygen to vital organs andtissues. As a result, carbon monoxidecan affect any living thing that needsoxygen to survive. Vulnerable birdsand other wildlife can become ill ordie from CO exposure at levels thatmay be safe for humans. However,even relatively low concentrations ofCO may affect children and othersusceptible individuals, such aspeople with heart disease. Mosthealthy adults will be affected only athigher concentrations.

New Brunswick’s few cities and smallpopulation mean that CO is notnormally a problem in our outdoorenvironment. Monitored levelsseldom approach any of the existingair quality standards.

A Note About Mercury

Mercury is a substance that hasalways been present inNew␣ Brunswick’s bedrock andsoil. Because mercury occursnaturally in the environment,everyone is exposed to very lowlevels. Natural concentrationsare increased, however, whenmercury-containing emissionsare released to the air by someactivities, such as the burning offossil fuels, mining andsmelting, and wasteincineration, and then fall toearth. Mercury-containingemissions can come from localsources and from sources in theother provinces and theUnited␣ States, through long-range transport (see p. 4). Whenmercury undergoes a naturalchemical process whichconverts it to a more harmfulform, called methylmercury, itbecomes capable of beingabsorbed by living organisms.It accumulates over time inliving things and can become ahazard to humans and wildlife.We continue to work on anAction Plan through theConference of New EnglandGovernors/Eastern CanadianPremiers to monitor and assessthe mercury situation inNew␣ Brunswick, and we areactive participants in thedevelopment of Canada-WideStandards for mercury.Additional information isavailable by contacting theDepartment of the Environmentand Local Government.

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Warm Engines MeanLess Pollution

Better emission controls onautomobiles, such as catalyticconverters, have reduced COlevels steadily during the pasttwo decades. Converters don’twork until a critical temperatureis reached, however, so try tominimize the number of shorttrips you take in your car, orcombine several errands into onetrip. If you plug your car enginein during the winter, you willenable it to run cleaner morequickly. Plug the engine in for anhour before you need to use thecar, or put it on a timer. You willuse less electricity this way.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

What is it?Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colourless,odourless gas that occurs bothnaturally and from human activities.CO2 is sometimes used to fight firesbecause it is heavier than air and willdisplace or push away the oxygenthat feeds the flames.

Where does it come from?Carbon dioxide is produced whenwe burn fossil fuels in ourvehicles, power plants, factoriesand heating systems —including gas, kerosene,woodburning stoves,and heaters. CO2␣ isalso producednaturally when livingthings breathe and by the decay oforganic matter.

Forest fires are a major natural sourceof CO2 — and have a double impact.In nature, trees and plants take incarbon dioxide and produce oxygen.When we lose trees to fire or todeforestation through humanactivity, the balance between CO2uptake and release is altered.

What does it do?It is considered to be the mostsignificant of the greenhouse gaseswhich many scientists believe arelinked to global warming (see p. 19).Not much is known about how thecarbon cycle works, including howCO2 moves, and how much is in anyone ecosystem. It is for this reasonthat CO2 is generally not regarded asa “traditional” pollutant. It is,however, being monitored globally sothat scientists can learn more aboutits movements and trends.

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The terms “global warming,”“greenhouse effect” and “greenhousegases” all describe natural andnormal processes and substances.

• Global warming and globalcooling refer to the natural warmingand cooling trends that the Earth hasexperienced throughout its history.The factors that affect the extent andduration of these trends may beinfluenced by pollutants. “Globalwarming,” however, has becomepopularized in the media to describethe negative effect of humaninfluence on our climate.

• The term “greenhouse effect”describes the role the atmosphereplays in trapping the sun’s heat nearthe Earth’s surface and in keepingour planet warm and habitable. Mostof the “greenhouse gases,” whichinclude water vapour, carbondioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,ozone and halocarbons, occurnaturally in the atmosphere inrelatively small amounts. Their heat-trapping ability helps the Earth’ssurface to remain at a temperaturethat is suitable for life. A problemoccurs when natural concentrationsof greenhouse gases are increased byhumans burning fossil fuels andclearing forests, which intensifies thegreenhouse effect. This is known asthe enhanced greenhouse effect andis expected to increase temperaturesglobally by about 0.1 degree Celsiusper decade.

Why is it a problem?An average change of a few degreesCelsius over a century may notsound like much, but it can make abig difference.

Global warming, as it has come to beknown, has the potential for seriouseffects on the environment. Weatherpatterns could change, warmertemperatures could cause flooding incoastal areas and droughts furtherinland, and storms could becomemore frequent and more severe.Years ago, global warming was not acommon area of scientific study.Today, much effort is focussed onlearning more about thisphenomenon.

What are we doing about it?Many industrialized nations arelimiting greenhouse gas emissions.Canada has signed on to a number ofimportant international agreements,including the 1992 United NationsFramework Convention on ClimateChange. This agreement has resultedin international efforts to restrictgreenhouse gases in the atmosphereto levels that will stabilize globalclimate change.

Canada has also signed the 1997Kyoto Protocol, which will becomeinternational law if enough countriesratify it over the coming years.Canada’s commitment to the KyotoProtocol is to reduce greenhouse gasemissions to six percent below 1990levels by the period 2008 to 2012.

For more information on Canada’snational and international action onglobal warming, contact the ClimateChange Secretariat, 55 Murray Street,Suite 600, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5M3;visit the Secretariat’s national climatechange website at http://www.climatechange.gc.ca or visitEnvironment Canada’s Green Lane athttp://www.ec.gc.ca.

Global Warming

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Working Together

Protecting our air quality is quite achallenge. The good news is thatthere are things we can do as asociety and as individuals that willimprove air quality.

What ImprovesAir Quality?

Legislation

It is legislation which gives theNew␣ Brunswick Department of theEnvironment and Local Governmentthe mandate and legal authority toprotect the environment. The CleanAir Act provides the principalframework for local and provincialefforts to protect air quality. Itprovides opportunities for the publicto take part when air qualitydecisions are made, and it allows foraction against polluters when theenvironment or human health maybe at risk.

The Act also calls for specific airquality objectives to guide theDepartment in its application of thelegislation. These are put forward bythe Ministers of the Environment andLocal Government and Health andWellness for review and comment bycitizens and stakeholder groups.

Standards and Agreements

Standards and agreements help uscontrol the amount and type ofpollutants released, here inNew␣ Brunswick and around theworld. The federal government playsa role in monitoring and research ona national level, as well as in setting

Clean Air-Get Involved!

Want to know more about airquality in New Brunswick?

Want to participate inreviewing the approvals for

key sources of air pollution inthe province?

Want to add yourcomments to the review ofNew Brunswick’s air quality

objectives?

New Brunswick’s Clean AirAct provides opportunities for

public involvement. Wewelcome your participation.

To find out more:www.gnb.ca/elg-egl/0009/0003-e.html

Department of the Environmentregional offices:

Bathurst area Tel: 547-2092Saint John area Tel: 658-2558Miramichi area Tel: 778-6032Fredericton area Tel: 444-5149Moncton area Tel: 856-2374Grand Falls area Tel: 473-7744

Care for the Air!

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national standards for key pollutants.National and international regulatorybodies cooperate to research, monitorand set standards for both emissionsand ambient air quality.

Each province is charged with theresponsibility of making sure that thestandards agreed to on a nationallevel are put into place and enforced.While New Brunswick can’t directlycontrol emissions in otherjurisdictions, we can support thenational and internationalagreements that will ultimately begood for air quality here at home,and limit the pollution that comesfrom our own sources. We currentlyhave standards in place for thefollowing major pollutants: carbonmonoxide, hydrogen sulphide,nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide,and Total Suspended Particulates.New Brunswick is currentlyparticipating in the development ofCanada-Wide Standards for PM 2.5and ozone. Similar standards forother substances such as benzene arealso being developed.

Pollution Preventionand␣ Control

The overall goal is to prevent therelease of contaminants into the air.How can we do this?

Department of the Environment andLocal Government inspectors andengineers work with approval holdersto find solutions or develop plans forreducing air emissions. It issometimes possible to reduceemissions by installing scrubbers or

other often complex and expensivepollution control devices or byswitching to a higher-grade fuel, forexample. We also have a province-wide system of air quality monitorsthat test the air for varioussubstances, which helps us to makeresponsible decisions and avoidsituations where potentially harmfulpollutants could be released to theenvironment. For more informationon our air quality monitoringactivities, pick up a copy of “AirQuality Monitoring inNew␣ Brunswick,” or visit our Website at http://www.gnb.ca/elg-egl/0009/0003-e.html.

The counterpart to prevention ispollution control. Industries andother sources of emissions mustapply for an Approval to Operate,which limits the amount and type ofpollutants released, and sets outstandards and methods formonitoring and reporting. A widerange of terms and conditions can beattached to an Approval, dependingon the nature of the facility and thesensitivity of the area in which it islocated. It is against the law toviolate an Approval. Larger sourcesmay be required to operate airquality monitors in their stack(s) orin the surrounding area as acondition of their Approval.

Finally, as individuals we all have aresponsibility to ensure that ouractivities and lifestyles do not have anegative impact on theenvironment. The combined effortsof individuals have the collectivebenefit of improving theenvironment.

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Compliance and Enforcement

The Department of the Environmentand Local Government’s primaryconcern is to protect theenvironment and promotecompliance with the law. OurCompliance and Enforcement Policyrepresents an approach, whichapplies to individuals and companies,that encourages officials to seekcompliance from polluters first, andresort to enforcement when otheravenues have been unsuccessful. Wemake regular scheduled andunscheduled visits to sources ofemissions. We also respond toinformation received from the publicand other government agencies.When an inspection reveals that aviolation has taken place, we have arange of administrative optionsavailable to achieve compliance, suchas warnings, fines, Ministerial Orders,and injunctions, or we may resort toa formal investigation andprosecution. Our response will varyaccording to the suspected violation.

Environmental Education

A little information goes a long waytoward protecting the environment!As we learn more about theenvironment and the impact ofhuman activities on it, we change ourbehaviour to lessen the effect. TheDepartment of the Environment andLocal Government provides a rangeof information to the public on issuesas varied as pesticide management,composting, and, of course, airquality, and often collaborates withother groups and agencies to supporttheir efforts at public education.

Environmental Activism

Yes, human activities contribute toair pollution, but we are also part ofthe solution. Local issues tend tocome to light first as neighboursband together to bring their concernsto public attention — sometimessounding an early warning of widerproblems, or leading to newdirections for research. Small actionscan lead to big changes.

Community and environmentalgroups have always played a valuablerole in air quality management byacting as watchdogs and educators.They help us to understand theimpact of human activities and to setnew priorities for our society. Inraising their concerns, these groupscan become a significant agent ofchange by helping to shape thelegislation or programs that protectour environment.

What CanIndividuals Do?

• Stay informed. The resourcessuggested in this booklet can helpyou to learn more about air quality ingeneral, and about those aspects thatare of particular importance toNew␣ Brunswick residents.

• The Clean Air Act offers newopportunities for individuals tobecome actively involved. Take partin the Class I Air Quality Approvalsreview process, or in the setting ofNew Brunswick’s air qualityobjectives as they are broughtforward.

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• Power generation can be asignificant source of air pollution, soit’s important to use electricity wisely.Reduce energy use at home throughimproved insulation and weather-proofing. Choose energy-efficientappliances whenever possible.

• Keep your vehicle in good workingorder to improve energy efficiencyand reduce emissions. Reduce thenumber of unnecessary trips, andconsider using public transportationor organizing a car pool. If a SmogAdvisory has been issued for yourarea, try to avoid any non-essentialuses of gas-powered equipment, suchas lawnmowers or recreationalvehicles.

• Prevent the accidental release ofOzone Depleting Substances byhaving refrigerators, freezers and airconditioners serviced regularly bycertified technicians. Each year, haveyour car’s air conditioning systemtested for leaks, and run it weekly inwinter to prevent leaks in spring.Choose ozone-friendly equipmentwhere possible, and make sure thatany ODS are safely recovered fromold appliances before disposal.

• To prevent leakage or evaporation,store gasoline, solvents, paints andother products containing VOCs inproper containers. Buy only as muchas you know you can use up quickly.Dispose of the empty containerssafely, as directed by the labelinstructions.

• Help nature clean the air byplanting a tree or replacing thin lawngrass with leafy shrubs andgroundcovers. As we go about ourbusiness, the trees and plants goabout theirs — taking in carbondioxide and putting oxygen into theair. Studies link a decline in trees andvegetation to a buildup of carbondioxide, contributing to globalwarming.

• Operate your woodstove at peakefficiency by burning properlyseasoned wood that’s cut to fit thefirebox. Add a stove-type insert to anopen fireplace, or replace an olderwoodstove with an energy efficient,Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)-certified unit. Contact yourlocal chapter of the New BrunswickLung Association for moreinformation.

• Contact a Department of theEnvironment and Local Governmentoffice for more information:

• on Monitoring Programs:Sciences and Reporting Branch,(506) 457-4844;

• on Air Quality Approvals:Approvals Branch,(506) 444-4599; and

• for general information about airquality, or for more informationabout public commentopportunities under theClean Air Act: Educational ServicesBranch, (506) 453-3700.

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an introduction to air quality in new brunswick · 4 new brunswick department of the environment...

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