A new smog forecast program was launched today to inform residents of Prince Edward Island about predicted levels of smog in their area. Mr. George Proud, MP for Hillsborough, representing Federal Environment Minister David Anderson, announced the new initiative today with PEI Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, Kevin J. MacAdam.
The Smog Forecast will be issued twice a day from now to the end of October as part of Environment Canada's daily weather forecast for the province. The Smog Forecast provides information on expected levels of ground-level ozone, ranging from good to very poor, over a period of 48 hours. Ground-level ozone is the main contributor to smog and the cause of most poor air quality in this region of the country.
"The PEI Smog Forecast program is part of Environment Canada's Clean Air Strategy and Minister Anderson's number one priority, " said Mr. Proud. "By increasing Canadians' knowledge and awareness of air quality, we allow people to make more and better informed choices."
Yesterday, Minister Anderson announced at the Toronto Smog Summit an initial $1 million toward a framework to extend daily air quality forecasting across Canada within the next year.
"The province is pleased to be working with the federal government and the PEI Lung Association to initiate the Smog Forecast program in PEI," said Kevin J. MacAdam, PEI Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Environment. "This monitoring program will ensure that all Islanders know the quality of the air they are breathing and will provide educational messages to assist citizens in learning more about how they can help reduce sources of air pollution."
Smog is made of many harmful components. The more smog you breathe in, the more likely you are to experience adverse effects. Sensitive people may experience symptoms after only one or two hours outdoors. The daily Smog Forecast allows individuals, especially those living with asthma and other respiratory conditions, to take expected pollution levels into account when planning their daily activities.
In addition to the Smog Forecast, a Smog Advisory alerts citizens when ground level ozone concentrations (smog) are expected to exceed the national standard. It is similar to a weather warning in that it is only issued when conditions are expected to meet specific criteria. A Health Advisory is issued simultaneously with the Smog Advisory alerting people about what actions they can take when smog levels are exceedingly high.
Public education is a key to understanding the impact of smog and the benefits of the PEI Smog Forecast. Partners such as the PEI Lung Association are instrumental in making information on a variety of clean air issues available to the public.
Minister Kevin MacAdam encouraged Islanders to do their part all year long to keep the air clean. "Take action to lessen emissions that cause air pollution and that negatively affect climate change. I encourage all Islanders to drive less, bike and walk more often, use carpools or vanpools, plant a tree, reduce engine idling and check on the energy efficiency of their home and office."
During the summer months, incidents of poor air quality in Prince Edward Island are generally due to the long-range transport of pollution, which can be affected by local weather patterns. Ground level ozone can travel great distances from industrialized areas of the United States and central Canada.
The new PEI Smog Forecast will be made available to local media through Environment Canada's regular weather forecasts. It can also be accessed through Environment Canada's recorded weather information telephone lines in Summerside and Charlottetown as well as on Environment Canada's web site. These federal government information points are also linked to provincial health and environmental information sources.
To hear the recorded PEI Smog Forecast, call: Charlottetown, (902)566-7041; Summerside, (902) 436-1936.
Check Environment Canada's Daily Smog Forecast for PEI at: http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/ozone.html