Our region is known for its crisp, fresh mountain air. It is not only something we get to enjoy every time we walk outside, but also a resource that is vital to our health, and the health of generations to come.
The Provincial Government of B.C. defines "good air quality" as clear, clean and unpolluted air.
Provincial Air Quality Advisories
Air quality advisories are posted when pollutant concentrations approach or exceed predetermined limits, or when episodes of degraded air quality are expected to worsen. When smoke from wildfires infiltrates a region, for example, an Air Quality Advisory may be issued.
Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)
The AQHI provides hourly air quality readings and is available to approximately 80 percent of B.C. residents (you can view the full list of areas here). The rating is based on the combination of health risks posed by a mixture of pollutants in the air, including particulate matter, ground-level ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
The rating then assesses whether the health risk is low, moderate, high or very high.
What Else Can You Do?
Improving air quality depends on action at several levels and many small everyday choices. Here are a few practical actions you can consider:
- Minimize or upgrade wood-burning or older stoves/fireplaces, especially in valleys/trapping zones. Smoke from wood heating is a significant contributor to fine particulates.
- Switch to cleaner heating and cooking options, such as heat pumps or electric alternatives, rather than fossil-fuel or wood-based sources. This reduces both GHGs and local air pollutants.
- Visit CleanBC to learn about provincial rebates and incentives that help residents reduce emissions and improve air quality through cleaner home heating, energy-efficient upgrades, and zero-emission transportation.
- Sign up for the Province's Air Quality Subscription Service and receive timely notifications during periods of degraded air quality.