By Cheryl Jahn

Vanderhoof Air Quality Needs Help

Oct 5, 2018 | 2:51 PM

VANDERHOOF – The community of Vanderhoof, in the geographical centre of the province, also has one of the worst air qualities in the province. But the District of Vanderhoof is well aware of the issue and is taking measures to mitigate the problem. But the first job is to identify the source of the problem. 

“We actually had a UBC grad student coming in and they drove around at night on a colder night, when there would be an inversion. Kind of the worse case scenario,” says Kevin Moutray with the District. “Just driving around the neighbourhoods, identifying what were hot spots and what were not for air quality.”

That survey identified the highest level of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, in the northeast and northwest of the community.

“We’re still working with an inventory that was done before. I’d love to see a new inventory done, but those pretty big expensive projects.”

And that may be where the MLA for the region, John Rustad could come in.

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“I think it is a case that can be made,” says John Rustad, the MLA for Nechako Lakes. “When I think about air quality, there’s no question when you drive through here, you’re initially surprised, thinking ‘Wow, the air quality is so challenging.’  A lot of it has to do with people using wood for heat.”

But a new and improved inventory could be costly.