Street sweeping programs are underway to clean up the road grit. (148139792 © Photovs | Dreamstime.com)

By Pete McIntyre

UPDATE

UPDATE: Air quality advisory for Vernon lifted

Mar 19, 2021 | 9:45 AM

UPDATE Mar. 19

The rain Thursday night has improved the air quality in Vernon.

The Ministry of Environment has lifted an air quality advisory put in pace on Tuesday (Mar. 16) in the city due to elevated levels of road dust.

The levels are now within the provincial air quality objectives.

“Changing meteorological conditions have improved conditions across the region,” air quality meteorologist Trina Orchard, said.

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The provincial air quality objective for PM10, is 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), averaged over 24 hours.

The 24-hour average PM10 concentrations for Vernon as of 9:00 a.m. Mar. 19 were 41.2, while in Kelowna, it was  33.4.

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UPDATE Mar. 16

An on-again, off-again air quality advisory for Vernon is back on.

The Ministry of Environment and Interior Health have issued a road dust advisory due to winter traction material being stirred up by vehicles.

Vernon and other local municipalities have started their street sweeping programs which will help alleviate the issue.

“Exposure is a concern for pregnant women, infants, and older adults, as well as, individuals with conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes or respiratory infections such as COVID-19. Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted,” Trina Orchard, air quality meteorologist, said.

The provincial air quality objective for PM10, is 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), averaged over 24 hours. The average PM10 concentration from Vernon was 72.3 in Vernon as of  9:00 a.m. on Mar. 16, and, by comparison, 19.4 in Kelowna.

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UPDATE Mar. 13

The Ministry of Environment and Interior Health have ended the Air Quality Advisory that was issued on March 9 for Vernon due to elevated concentrations of dust.

The ministry said changing meteorological conditions have improved conditions across the region.

Real-time air quality observations and information regarding the health effects of air pollution can be found at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/
air.

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Mar. 9 story

Issues with road dust have been stirred up again in Vernon.

An air quality advisory has been issued due to high levels of road dust, just a few days after a similar advisory was lifted.

“The high concentrations of coarse particulate matter are expected to persist until there is precipitation, dust suppression or a change in traffic patterns,” Trina Orchard, air quality meteorologist, said.

The dusty conditions are caused by road traffic stirring up winter traction materials, and levels tend to be highest around busy roads and industrial operations.

Road sweeping programs have begun in some local communities like Coldstream, with others expected to begin soon.

Exposure is a concern for pregnant women, infants, and older adults, as well as, individuals with conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes or respiratory infections such as COVID-19. Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted.

Measured as PM10, road dust is emitted into the air when traffic volumes are high and winter traction material is present on dry road surfaces. The provincial air quality objective for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3 ), averaged over 24 hours.

As of 10:00 a.m. today, the 24-hour average PM10 concentrations were 51 in Vernon, compared to 24.6 in Kelowna.