Air Quality in Quesnel mainly results from the geography of the two river valleys combined with the impacts of industry, highway traffic, and wood smoke.
- The Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable has representatives from: industry, provincial, regional, and municipal governments, Northern Health, The Quesnel Economic Development Corporation, and Baker Creek Enhancement Society.
- Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) is our main air quality related issue in Quesnel. PM 2.5 comes from: industry, vehicles, wood burning and dust. PM 2.5 impacts residents’ respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
- Air quality in Quesnel is monitored 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 3 separate ambient monitoring stations.
- The Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable recommendations have been based on scientific measurements and monitoring protocols.
- It isn’t only industry that contributes to air quality. Geography, weather patterns, vehicles, residential wood and waste burning as well as road dust contribute to poor air quality.
- Our main air quality issues occur during stagnant air events (inversions).
- In Quesnel, Air Quality has lower health impacts than smoking, obesity and being inactive.