By Adam Berls

air quality

BC Greens call on government to implement proposed Clean Air Act

Aug 14, 2024 | 1:21 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — As British Columbia faces yet another summer of smoky skies and air quality alerts, the BC Green Party is calling for urgent action to protect the health of British Columbians.

Wildfire smoke, exacerbated by prolonged periods of drought and extreme heat, has become a common feature of summers in B.C. Prince George has been lucky this summer in terms of fewer days of wildfire smoke lingering over the city. However, wildfire smoke presents serious health risks, and the BC Green Party is calling on the provincial government to immediately adopt the Clean Air Act, which was introduced by the Greens back in April.

“Every British Columbian deserves to breathe clean air,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens. “Air quality is essential for our health and well-being. Poor air quality can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems and cognitive impairments, which can affect our daily performance and quality of life”.

One step in the Clean Air Act plan would provide funding for portable air cleaners with HEPA filters to ensure that homes will have clean air. The Greens’ plan would also invest in clean air centres, prioritizing communities with the highest susceptibility, including pregnant individuals, older community members, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

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The act would also “retrofit existing buildings such as assisted care facilities, child care centers, and schools with air filters and mandating that new buildings meet safe air filtration and air conditioning standards.”

“We need the provincial government to take air quality and the impacts of air pollution seriously,” Furstenau added. “This legislation is an important step towards protecting the health of British Columbians and ensuring that our communities are prepared and equipped during wildfire smoke events.”

According to the BC Greens, “the proposed measures will require an initial investment of $125 million in the first year and $65 million on an ongoing basis, covering the costs of operating clean air centers, supplying in-home HVAC filters, and retrofitting buildings.” According to 2016 estimates from Vancouver Coastal Health, the total economic cost of all health impacts attributable to air pollution in BC is $14 billion per year.

The Greens’ Clean Air Act will also expand investments in forest fuel management and supporting prescribed and cultural burning to reduce wildfire intensity.

Those who are more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors or seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. Limit time outdoors. Environment Canada says that “when spending time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.” When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com