If you were not feeling it yesterday, you most certainly are today.  Current readings at Plaza 400 on BC's government air monitoring website shows how particulate levels have soared in our airshed to very unhealthy levels.

Be advised to stay indoors and think twice about any outdoor activity as levels of PM10 are at 75ug/m3 and PM2.5 have increased nearly five-fold since early this morning to 44ug/m3.

For some odd reason, the AQHI still indicates a level of 2 with a forecast of level 3, which is simply out to lunch, and in no way reflects the current unhealthy conditions here in Prince George. 

http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/index.html

People should be advised that the air quality is poor in Prince George as a result of the current high pressure system that has built into our region.  The resultant stagnant air has trapped pollutants in the city.

PM 10 levels peaked at 60.3 ug/m3 this morning at 10:00 am remaining at these poor levels through the day and tapering somewhat late this afternoon.

These conditions are likely to persist as the forecast is for much of the same for the next few days.  So, for Prince George residents, perhaps getting out of town would be the safest way to enjoy this beautiful stint of weather.

Fortunately, Stockwell Day was in town for an announcement that will hopefully result in a reduction of these type of incidents.

Canfor Pulp has received $15.6 million dollars in funding from the Green transformation fund for two projects in Prince George which will reduce odour, and create green energy.  Minister Day told those in attendance to take a deep breath “What you can smell is sulphur, remember it, because once this new system is up and running you won’t be able to smell that anymore.”

Well, we won't hold our breath.

"Northern Health is advising residents of the Bulkley Valley, Vanderhoof and Prince George areas that smoke from forest fires in the region could pose a potential health risk, especially for children and people with chronic conditions.

Reducing your exposure to smoke and other airborne contaminants is key to staying healthy when air quality is less than ideal. In the case of wood smoke from sources like forest fires, health effects are usually related to irritation of eyes, throat or the respiratory tract. Some people may be more sensitive to the effects of wood smoke and may experience symptoms at concentrations of smoke that are easily tolerated by others. Both the particles and gases found in wood smoke can affect health, although particles are likely responsible for most effects.

Although sensitivity to wood smoke varies, people who have heart disease or lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma may experience worsening of their symptoms. Children breathe more rapidly than adults and may also be a sensitive group.

There are a number of ways to reducing exposure and prevent symptoms, including:

• Seeking an area with lower smoke concentrations Depending on the prevailing smoke conditions, this could be as simple as avoiding the smoke plume, finding a relatively smokefree indoor environment in a building or vehicle, or may require temporarily relocating to a location with less smoke.

• Staying indoors in a sealed building with filtered central air conditioning systems • Travelling in air conditioned vehicles with effective filtration systems or with the air conditioning operated in ‘re-circulate’ mode may provide an environment with lower smoke concentrations Simple dust masks are unlikely to provide much reduction in exposure to fine particles or gaseous pollutants. The more sophisticated masks that do provide protection against fine particles require fit testing and fit checking to be effective, and may require increased effort to breathe.

If you feel you are being affected by wood smoke, take steps to reduce your exposure and seek medical attention for severe symptoms. If activity makes your symptoms worse, reduce your level of activity.

For more information on air quality and your health, call HealthLink BC toll free at 8-1-1, or go online at www.healthlinkbc.ca. Registered nurses at HealthLink BC can provide confidential nonemergency health advice and information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Media Contact:

NH media line – 250-961-7724

Dr Marie Hay a pediatrician in Prince George was named as president at tonight’s meeting of PACHA. Dr Hay replaces outgoing President Dave Fuller.

Mr. Fuller in his outgoing Presidents report stated that while he is “encouraged by the significant improvements that are in the works in terms of upgrades by industry that will greatly improve air quality in Prince George” that he has “serious concerns about the relationship between Canfor Pulp and Northern Health where the chair of Canfor is also the chair of Northern Health… how can one remain unbiased in that position?” he asked “ what comes first profits or health?”

Dr Hay in her acceptance speech stated that she believes there are 5 areas that PACHA needs to be focused on these are(1) to determine if there formaldehyde or not in our air.....with as many tests in as many places, as we can afford.

(2) to work to ensure that there is no more industrial development allowed in the bowl area that will contribute further to air pollution,; which includes downtown biomass plants and the increased road traffic and exhausts such a plants would bring into the downtown.This is especially pertinent because of the Stantec report, which saysroad dust contributes significantly  to fine particulate pollution in PG.

(3) to increase awareness within the medical profession and the wider public at large, regarding the acute and chronic adverse consequences to human beings (young,pregnant and old) exposed to multiples exposures over long periods of time.

(4) To work closely with the other concerned citizen coalitions to increase our political lobbying /voting power.To show people they do have power if they choose to vote.

(5) To hold our local and provincial politicians accountable for taking decisive action to clean up our polluted airshed.

Dr Laurie Cook M. D. who was the guest speaker for the evening said that Prince George has reached a milestone in the 40 years it has been studying the problem because according to information from the center for disease control 1000 people have now died from the result of particulate based pollution in Prince George and continue to die at over 25 per year.. He went on to say that the Ministry of Environment must take full responsibility for the Prince George Airshed and deal with the major polluters.

The new board of PACHA consists of Dr Marie Hay, President, Betty Bekkering, Dave Fuller, Kathleen Haines, Diana Mould, Scott Roberts, Dr Kenneth Parker, and Dr Jocelyn Campbell

For more information or an interview For more information or an interview Please Contact Dr Marie Hay 250-564-8999 or Dave Fuller 250 617-7467

Pacha is a grass roots organization of over 1200 members whose mandate it is to promote cleaner air in Prince George for more information please go to our website www.pachapg.ca