Dust Advisory Lifted

Update:

A four day old dust advisory for Vernon has been lifted.

The Environment Ministry and Interior Health say changing weather conditions (snow) have led to improved air quality.

Course particulate levels of road traction materials have been decreasing, and are now below advisory levels.

Feb 2 story

Dust levels are still high around Vernon.

As a result, a dust advisory remains in effect for a third day.

Tarek Ayache, an air quality meteorologist from the Environment Ministry, says the average levels of course particulate over the past day are still above acceptable amounts at 73 micro grams per cubic metre.

“The objective, which is the acceptable limit, is 50 micro grams, so the running average is still high, and the advisory will remain in effect for now,” Ayache tells Kiss FM.

Ayache says snow expected Friday will improve the situation which is mostly caused by road traction material being stirred up by vehicles, and can cause health issues.

Ayache says it’s the first dust advisory in Vernon since March 2015.

“It’s a bit unusual to have this advisory on this early on. Normally this happens around spring time, but it’s not only Vernon. A number of other communities in the north of BC have had dust advisories this week as well.”

Ayache says there is more dust in the air this time, compared to the last advisory in 2015.

“This time appears to be worse in terms of the intensity of the course particulate matters we have in the air, and the duration.”