By Olivia McDonald

Burns Lake Air Quality Update

Nov 10, 2018 | 10:56 AM

SMITHERS – An Air Quality Advisory for Burns Lake has been issued and remains in effect due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in collaboration with Northern Health has put this advisory is in effect until further notice.

Anyone with chronic underlying medical conditions should postpone strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted. Staying indoors and in air-conditioned spaces helps to reduce fine particulate exposure. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have diabetes, and lung or heart disease.

Restrictions on open burning are now in effect for the Lakes Timber Supply Area until Sunday, November 11th at 9:00 am. For the duration of this advisory, the use of woodstoves is prohibited within the Village of Burns Lake, unless the woodstove is the only source of heat in a dwelling. 

Fine particulate matter, PM2.5, refers to airborne solid or liquid droplets with diameters of 2.5 micrometres (µm) or less. PM2.5 levels tend to be highest around busy roads, industrial operations and neighbourhoods with residential wood burning. PM2.5 can easily penetrate indoors because of their small size. Sources of PM2.5 contributing to this air quality episode include emissions from open burning, residential wood smoke as well as emissions from industry and transportation sources such as automobiles, trucks and rail traffic.

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Tips to reduce your personal health risk:

• Avoid roads with heavy vehicle traffic and areas with wood smoke.

• Continue to manage medical conditions such as asthma, chronic respiratory disease and heart failure. If symptoms continue to be bothersome, seek medical attention.

• Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity; if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.

• Maintaining good overall health is a good way to reduce health risks resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution. For persons with chronic underlying medical conditions: 

• Residents with asthma or other chronic illness should activate their asthma or personal care plan.

• Stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed and reduce indoor sources of pollution such as smoking, vacuuming and use of wood stoves.

• Run an air cleaner. Some room air cleaners, such as HEPA filters, can help reduce indoor particulate levels provided they are the right size for your home and filters are changed regularly.

• Take shelter in air-conditioned buildings which have large indoor volumes and limited entry of outdoor air. 

Note that 24-hour average PM2.5 concentrations are currently below the provincial objective but are forecast to increase and exceed the objective throughout the day. Concentrations are expected to remain elevated through tomorrow afternoon.