As everyone knows Quesnel has an Air Quality Problem mainly due to the geography of the two river valleys we live in and the combined impacts of industry, highway traffic, and wood smoke.
- The Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable has representatives from industry, provincial, regional and municipal government, transportation, Baker Creek Enhancement Society, Q.C.E.D.C., and Northern Health.
- Particulate Matter 2.5 is our main health related issue in Quesnel – PM 2.5 comes from industry, traffic, wood burning and impacts respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
- Air Quality is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- The Roundtable’s recommendations have been based on scientific measurements and monitoring protocol.
- Without industry, Quesnel would still have an air quality program due to Highway 97 traffic, our geography, residential wood / waste burning and road dust.
- We have three ambient monitoring stations in town.
- Our main air quality issues occur during stagnant air events (inversions). If everyone curtailed industrial process, driving, and wood burning during these few days of the year it would go a long way to decreasing the impact of PM 2.5. To be put on a list for notification of upcoming inversions please email bces@telus.net.
- Our Air Quality has lower health impacts on individuals than smoking, obesity or being inactive.
- The Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable is happy to come out to speak to any group.