2010 Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Monitoring Report

This report was prepared by the staff of the Air Quality Policy and Management Division of Metro Vancouver. July 2012.

Questions and comments concerning the information presented in this report can be addressed to:

Metro Vancouver

Air Quality Policy and Management Division

4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4G8

Telephone: 604-432-6200

Fax: 604-436-6707

Website: www.metrovancouver.org

E-mail: [email protected]

Cover Photos:

Aerial Photos by Evan Leeson

Station Photos by Geoff Doerksen

Summary This annual report summarizes the air quality survey potential locations for new long-term monitoring data collected by the Lower Fraser stations. In 2010, special studies were continued Valley (LFV) Air Quality Monitoring Network in from the previous year(s) in New Westminster, 2010 and describes the air quality monitoring Surrey, and in the Burrard Inlet areas of activities and programs conducted during the Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver. In year. The main focus is to report on the state of Vancouver a new wood smoke monitoring study ambient (outdoor) air quality in the LFV. was conducted from January to May, 2010.

LFV Air Quality Monitoring Network Pollutants Monitored The LFV Air Quality Monitoring Network includes Pollutants are emitted to the air from a variety of 26 air quality monitoring stations located from human activities and natural phenomena. Once Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Hope. airborne, the resulting pollutant concentrations Metro Vancouver operates 22 stations in Metro are dependent on several factors, including the Vancouver, as well as 4 stations in the Fraser weather, topography and chemical reactions in Valley Regional District (FVRD) under an the atmosphere. agreement with the FVRD. In May 2010 a new monitoring station in Tsawwassen began Common air contaminants, including ozone (O3), operating as a full continuous station in the carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), network. nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter, are widely monitored throughout the network. Air quality and weather data from most of the Particulate matter is composed of very small stations are collected automatically on a particles that remain suspended in the air. They continuous basis, transmitted to Metro are further distinguished by their size, which is Vancouver’s Head Office in Burnaby, and stored measured in units of a millionth of a metre (or in an electronic database. The data are then micrometre). Particles with a diameter smaller used to communicate air pollutant information to than 10 micrometres are referred to as inhalable the public, such as through air quality health particulate (PM10), while those smaller than 2.5 index values. micrometres are termed fine particulate (PM2.5). Both PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations are Air quality monitoring stations are located monitored throughout the LFV. throughout the LFV to help understand the air quality levels that residents are exposed to most Other pollutants less widely monitored in the of the time. This report shows how these levels network include ammonia, volatile organic have varied throughout the region in 2010 and compounds (VOC), and total reduced sulphur how these levels have changed over time. (TRS). Trends in air quality measured by the Air Quality Monitoring Network are used to evaluate the Priority Pollutants effectiveness of pollutant emission reductions Research indicates that adverse health effects undertaken as part of Metro Vancouver’s Air can occur at the air contaminant concentrations Quality Management Plan. measured in the LFV. Health experts have Special Air Quality Monitoring identified exposure to ozone and particulate matter as being associated with the most serious In addition to the long-term Monitoring Network health effects. Ozone is a strong oxidant that can stations, Metro Vancouver deploys portable air irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and reduce quality stations and instruments to conduct lung function. PM2.5 particles are small enough to special monitoring studies. Special studies be breathed deeply into the lungs, resulting in typically investigate suspected problem areas (or impacts to both respiratory and cardiovascular “hot spots”) at the local or community level, or systems. Long-term exposure to these pollutants

2010 Air Quality Report for the Lower Fraser Valley Page S - 1

can aggravate existing heart and lung diseases Air Quality Objectives and Standards and lead to premature mortality. Several pollutant-specific air quality objectives

Of particular concern is the PM2.5 emitted from and standards are used as benchmarks to diesel fuel combustion in car, truck, marine, rail characterize air quality. They include the federal and non-road engines. These particles (“diesel Canada-Wide Standards (for ozone and PM”) are thought to contribute significantly to the particulate matter), Metro Vancouver’s ambient health effects identified above. Reducing air quality objectives, and provincial objectives. emissions from diesel engines is a priority of As part of the 2005 Air Quality Management Metro Vancouver’s diesel emission reduction Plan, health-based ambient air quality objectives program. New instrumentation for monitoring were set for ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM2.5 diesel particulate is being added to the network. and PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). During Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) 2010 Metro Vancouver’s objectives were more stringent than the Canada-Wide Standards and The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), developed more stringent than provincial objectives, except by Environment Canada and Health Canada, has in the case of PM2.5. been in use since 2008. The AQHI communicates the health risks associated with a In April 2009 the provincial government mix of air pollutants to the public and provides established new air quality objectives for PM2.5. guidance on how individuals can adjust their The 24-hour objective is numerically the same as exposure and physical activities as air pollution Metro Vancouver’s objective; however levels change. The AQHI is calculated every hour compliance with Metro Vancouver’s objective using monitoring data from stations in the LFV. requires no exceedances while the provincial Current AQHI levels in the LFV as well as the objective allows for some exceedances each AQHI forecasts (for today, tonight and tomorrow) year. The province’s annual target of 8 and additional information about the AQHI are micrograms per cubic metre and annual planning available at: goal of 6 micrograms per cubic metre are more stringent than the annual objective previously set http://www.airhealth.ca, by Metro Vancouver. http://www.airhealthbc.ca, and http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/ Air Quality Advisories

Periods of degraded air quality can occur in the LFV for several reasons, such as summertime smog during hot weather or smoke from forest fires. Air quality advisories are issued to the public and health authorities when air quality has deteriorated or is predicted to deteriorate significantly within the LFV. In the last ten years, the number of days when air quality advisories were in place ranged from zero to as many as ten days annually.

Two air quality advisories were issued in 2010, both in August. On August 4 an advisory was issued for four days and on August 16 a second advisory was issued for three days. Both

advisories were due to elevated PM2.5 concentrations as a result of smoke from forest fires outside the Lower Fraser Valley.

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Visual Air Quality 120

) Short-Term Peak 3 100 Average

Visual air quality (also known as visibility and g/m µ haze) can also be degraded in the LFV, causing 80 local views to become partially obscured. This haze may have different characteristics 60 depending on the location. In much of Metro 40 Concrentration (

Vancouver, especially the more urbanized areas 2 20 to the west, the haze can have a brownish NO appearance due to emissions of nitrogen oxides 0 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 from transportation sources. Further east in the LFV impaired visibility is often associated with a Figure S1: Nitrogen Dioxide Trends. white haze, which is due to small particles (PM2.5) 60 in the air that scatter light. Short-Term Peak ) 3 50 Average

Monitoring conducted for assessing visibility and g/m µ haze includes continuous measurements of 40 ammonia, PM2.5 and important constituents (for 30 example, particulate nitrate, particulate sulphate, 20

elemental carbon and organic carbon) and light ( Concentration 2 10 scattering. Seven automated digital cameras are SO also operated throughout the LFV to record views 0 along specific lines of sight. When these 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 photographs are examined alongside the pollutant measurements, visibility impairment can Figure S2: Sulphur Dioxide Trends. be related to pollution concentrations and their 4000 Short-Term Peak )

sources. New visibility monitoring instruments are 3 Average being considered as part of a multi-agency g/m 3000 µ initiative to develop a pilot visibility improvement strategy for the LFV. 2000 Regional Trends in Air Quality 1000

Long-term regional trends in air quality are the CO Concentration ( trends observed within the LFV as a whole. They 0 are determined by averaging measurements from 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 several stations distributed throughout the LFV. Figure S3: Carbon Monoxide Trends.

Figures S1 to S4 show the average 50 concentrations and the short-term peak Short-Term Peak ) concentrations of four common air contaminants 3 40 Average g/m for the last two decades. Average concentrations µ 30 represent the ambient concentrations that the region experiences most of the time. Short-term 20 peak concentrations show the relatively infrequent higher concentrations experienced for ( Concentration 10 2.5

short periods (on the scale of one hour to one PM 0 day). Specific locations may have experienced 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 trends that differ slightly from the regional picture. Figure S4: Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Trends.

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Improvements have been made over the last two Regionally averaged short-term peak ozone decades for some pollutants, including carbon trends are shown in Figure S6 and display year monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur to year variability. The severity of ozone episodes dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5). Both greatly diminished in the 1980s, however short- short-term peak and average concentrations term peak zone levels have been mainly have declined since the early nineties for all unchanged during the last two decades, despite these pollutants. large reductions in emissions of pollutants that contribute to ozone formation. Despite significant population growth in the region over the same time period, emission 20 Short-Term Peak

reductions across a variety of sectors have )

3 Average brought about these improvements. Improved 15 g/m vehicle emission standards and the AirCare µ program are largely responsible for lower carbon 10 monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels.

Concentration ( Concentration 5 2.5

Reduced sulphur in on-road fuels, the shutdown PM of several refineries in Metro Vancouver and 0 reduced emissions from the cement industry 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 have led to the measured reductions in sulphur Figure S5: PM2.5 Trends. dioxide (SO2) levels. Emission reductions from wood products sectors, petroleum refining, and vehicles have contributed to the decline in PM2.5 60 levels. In recent years, peak and average levels Short-Term Peak 50 Average of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide )

(NO2) have continued to decline, while it appears ppb 40 that both sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate 30 matter (PM2.5) may be levelling off.

20

Note that Figure S4 shows long-term PM2.5 ( Concentration 3 10 trends from a single monitoring station with a O long record of non-continuous filter-based 0 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 monitoring (Port Moody). The regional PM2.5 trends since 2001, when continuous PM2.5 Figure S6: Ozone Trends. monitoring was more prevalent throughout the LFV, are illustrated in Figure S5. These data also indicate that PM2.5 peak levels have been On-going research indicates that the highest relatively constant in recent years, although with ozone levels are occurring in the eastern parts of some year-to-year variability. the LFV and that the location of the maximum has shifted eastward over time. A study led by For ozone, the same improvements seen for UBC researchers was initiated in 2009 to better other pollutants have not been observed. In understand ozone in the LFV and to suggest the contrast, average regional ozone levels (Figure most effective strategies to help improve ozone S6) have been increasing in the most recent 15 levels. years. Research suggests that background ozone concentrations may be rising and could be a potential reason for the observed increase in average levels.

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Ozone Air Quality – 2010 Ozone is termed a secondary pollutant Monitoring results for all ozone monitoring because it is formed in the air from other stations in 2010 are shown in Figure S7. The contaminants such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) data show that peak ozone levels, as measured and volatile organic compounds (VOC). The by the Canada-Wide Standard and maximum 8- highest concentrations of ozone are hour average values, occurred in the eastern generally formed during hot sunny weather. parts of Metro Vancouver and in the FVRD NO emissions are dominated by during sunny and hot weather. X transportation sources, with nearly 80% of In 2010 the Canada-Wide Standard for ozone the emissions coming from cars, trucks, was met at all monitoring stations. Metro marine vessels, and non-road engines. VOC Vancouver’s more stringent ozone objective was are emitted from natural sources, cars, light also met in 2010 for the first time in ten years. trucks, and solvent evaporation from Exceedances of this objective have occurred in industrial, commercial and consumer products. the Lower Fraser Valley every year for the previous 9 years.

No air quality advisories were issued for ozone in 2010.

Metro Vancouver 8-Hour Objective (65 ppb) AND Canada-Wide Standard (65 ppb)

Hope Chilliwack Abbotsford-Mill Lake Maple Ridge Langley Coquitlam Burnaby Mountain Pitt Meadows Surrey East Port Moody Richmond South Vancouver-Kitsilano Richmond-Airport N. Vancouver-Mahon Park Burnaby South North Delta Canada-Wide Standard Value Burnaby-Kensington Park Maximum 8-Hour Average N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 concentration (ppb)

Figure S7: Ozone (O3) 2010.

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Particulate Matter Air Quality – 2010 PM2.5 emissions are dominated by transportation, space heating, and industrial Monitoring results for all PM2.5 monitoring stations in 2010 are shown in Figure S8. All sources. PM2.5 is also formed by reactions of stations with sufficient data requirements met the nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulphur dioxide provincial annual objective of 8 micrograms per (SO2) with ammonia in the air. PM2.5 produced cubic metre and the annual planning goal of 6 in this manner is called secondary PM2.5 and micrograms per cubic metre. In addition, all accounts for a significant percentage of PM2.5 locations were well below the Canada-wide in summer.

Standard for PM2.5. Insufficient PM2.5 data were available for Horseshoe Bay and Port Moody in Late in the evening on August 15 PM2.5 2010 to calculate the Canada-Wide Standard. exceedances were measured at the new Tsawwassen station with exceedances also There were exceedances of Metro Vancouver’s occurring the next morning at the Richmond 24-hour PM2.5 objective at all stations that Airport and Kitsilano stations. By August 17 measured PM2.5 in August 2010. Exceedances PM2.5 concentrations decreased below the Metro occurred during two periods in August (4 to 6 and Vancouver 24-hour PM2.5 objective. Note that 15 to 17) when smoke from forest fires was the Tsawwassen station is not shown in Figure transported to the Lower Fraser Valley. Air S8 as the data completeness requirements were quality advisories were issued by Metro not met. Vancouver during both periods. On August 4, PM2.5 can be transported long distances in the rising PM2.5 was detected at Hope, with the majority of stations in the LFV reporting atmosphere. The many forest fires that occurred exceedances the next day. Several stations in B.C. in the summer of 2010 contributed to exceeded the 24-hour objective until the evening elevated concentrations of PM2.5 in the Lower of August 6. Fraser Valley.

Metro Vancouver Annual Planning Metro Vancouver Annual Metro Vancouver Canada-Wide Goal (6 µg/m3) Objective (8 µg/m3) 24-Hour Objective Standard

Horseshoe Bay

Port Moody

Hope

Pitt Meadows

Burnaby-Kensington Park

Vancouver-Kitsilano

Richmond-Airport

Chilliwack

Burnaby South

Langley Canada-Wide Standard Value Abbotsford Airport Annual Average Maximum 24-Hour Average N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Concentration (µg/m3)

Figure S8: Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 2010.

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Sulphur Dioxide Air Quality – 2010

Monitoring results for all sulphur dioxide (SO2) monitoring stations in 2010 are shown in Figure S9. Objectives for sulphur dioxide were met at all stations at all times.

Sulphur dioxide is formed primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulphur. The largest sources in the LFV are marine vessels (mainly ocean-going vessels) and the petroleum products industry. As a result, highest sulphur dioxide levels are typically recorded near the Burrard Inlet area. Away from the Burrard Inlet area, sulphur dioxide levels are much lower.

Sulphur dioxide contributes to secondary PM2.5 formation.

Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver 3 Annual Objective (30 µg/m3) 24-Hour Objective (125 µg/m ) 1-Hour Objective (450 µg/m3)

Port Moody

Burnaby-Capitol Hill

Burnaby-Kensington Park

Burnaby North

N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows

N. Vancouver-Mahon Park

Vancouver-Kitsilano

Richmond-Airport

Burnaby South

Langley

Pitt Meadows Annual Average Richmond South Maximum 24-Hour Average Chilliwack Maximum 1-Hour Average

Abbotsford-Mill Lake

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 Concentration (µg/m3)

Figure S9: Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) 2010.

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Nitrogen Dioxide Air Quality – 2010 Carbon Monoxide Air Quality – 2010 Carbon monoxide levels met all of the relevant Monitoring results for all nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Metro Vancouver air quality objectives at all monitoring stations in 2010 are shown in Figure stations throughout the LFV (not shown). The S10. All 1-hour nitrogen dioxide averages were principle source of carbon monoxide continues to below Metro Vancouver’s objective. Average be emissions from motor vehicles. Higher levels also met Metro Vancouver’s annual concentrations generally occur close to major objective at all stations with sufficient data roads during peak traffic periods. Like nitrogen completeness. In recent years the highest dioxide, the highest average carbon monoxide average nitrogen dioxide levels were measured concentrations are measured in the more in downtown Vancouver, in a dense urban densely trafficked areas and near busy roads. environment and close to a busy street. Figure Lower concentrations are observed where these S10 does not include data from this station due influences are less pronounced, such as the to a temporary shut down during most of 2010. eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and in the As nitrogen dioxide emissions are dominated by FVRD. transportation sources, the highest average nitrogen dioxide concentrations are measured in the more densely trafficked areas and near busy roads. Lower concentrations are observed where these influences are less pronounced, such as the eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and in the FVRD.

Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver Annual Objective (40 µg/m3) 1-Hour Objective (200 µg/m3)

N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows Richmond South Port Moody North Delta Abbotsford-Mill Lake Vancouver-Kitsilano Burnaby-Kensington Park Richmond-Airport Burnaby South Burnaby Mountain N. Vancouver-Mahon Park Pitt Meadows Coquitlam Surrey East Maple Ridge Hope Annual Average Chilliwack Maximum 1-Hour Average Langley

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 Concentration (µg/m3)

Figure S10: Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) 2010.

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Table of Contents

SUMMARY ...... S-1 LIST OF ACRONYMS ...... IV SECTION A – INTRODUCTION ...... 1

PRIORITY POLLUTANTS ...... 1 AIR QUALITY TRENDS ...... 2 VISUAL AIR QUALITY ...... 2 AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES/STANDARDS ...... 2 AIR QUALITY HEALTH INDEX (AQHI) ...... 3 AIR QUALITY ADVISORIES ...... 3 SECTION B – LOWER FRASER VALLEY AIR QUALITY MONITORING NETWORK ...... 4

INTRODUCTION ...... 4 CHANGES TO NETWORK...... 4 SECTION C – POLLUTANT MEASUREMENTS ...... 12

SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2) ...... 12 NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2) ...... 22 CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ...... 31 OZONE (O3) ...... 35 FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) ...... 46 Non-Continuous PM2.5 Sampling ...... 55 INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10) ...... 57 Non-Continuous PM10 Sampling ...... 65 TOTAL REDUCED SULPHUR (TRS) ...... 66 AMMONIA (NH3) ...... 67 VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC) ...... 68 SECTION D – VISUAL AIR QUALITY MONITORING ...... 70 SECTION E – METEOROLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS ...... 72 SECTION F – SPECIALIZED MONITORING INITIATIVES ...... 77 SECTION G – MONITORING NETWORK OPERATIONS ...... 78

NETWORK HISTORY...... 78 MONITORING NETWORK PARTNERS ...... 78 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ...... 78 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL ...... 79 DATABASE...... 79

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List of Tables

TABLE 1: AIR QUALITY MONITORING NETWORK, 2010...... 7 TABLE 2: FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF HOURLY SULPHUR DIOXIDE, 2010...... 17 TABLE 3: FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF 24-HOUR ROLLING AVERAGE SULPHUR DIOXIDE, 2010...... 18 TABLE 4: FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF HOURLY NITROGEN DIOXIDE, 2010...... 26 TABLE 5: FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF HOURLY OZONE, 2010...... 40 TABLE 6: FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF 8-HOUR ROLLING AVERAGE OZONE, 2010...... 41

TABLE 7: FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF 24-HOUR ROLLING AVERAGE FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5), 2010...... 50 TABLE 8: FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF 24-HOUR ROLLING AVERAGE INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10), 2010...... 60 TABLE 9: AIR TEMPERATURE IN LFV, 2010...... 73

List of Figures

FIGURE 1: LOWER FRASER VALLEY AIR QUALITY MONITORING NETWORK, 2010...... 6 FIGURE 2: GROUND-LEVEL OZONE MONITORING STATIONS, 2010...... 8 FIGURE 3: NITROGEN DIOXIDE MONITORING STATIONS, 2010...... 9 FIGURE 4: FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) MONITORING STATIONS, 2010...... 10 FIGURE 5: SULPHUR DIOXIDE MONITORING STATIONS, 2010...... 11 FIGURE 6: SULPHUR DIOXIDE MONITORING, 2010...... 14 FIGURE 7: ANNUAL AVERAGE SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN THE LFV, 2010...... 15 FIGURE 8: SHORT-TERM PEAK SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN THE LFV, 2010...... 15 FIGURE 9: MONTHLY AVERAGE SULPHUR DIOXIDE, 2010...... 16 FIGURE 10: MONTHLY SHORT-TERM PEAK SULPHUR DIOXIDE, 2010...... 16 FIGURE 11: DIURNAL TRENDS SULPHUR DIOXIDE, 2010...... 19 FIGURE 12: ANNUAL SULPHUR DIOXIDE TREND, 1991 TO 2010...... 21 FIGURE 13: SHORT-TERM PEAK SULPHUR DIOXIDE TREND, 1991 TO 2010...... 21 FIGURE 14: NITROGEN DIOXIDE MONITORING, 2010...... 23 FIGURE 15: ANNUAL AVERAGE NITROGEN DIOXIDE IN THE LFV, 2010...... 24 FIGURE 16: SHORT-TERM PEAK NITROGEN DIOXIDE IN THE LFV, 2010...... 24 FIGURE 17: MONTHLY AVERAGE NITROGEN DIOXIDE, 2010...... 25 FIGURE 18: MONTHLY SHORT-TERM PEAK NITROGEN DIOXIDE, 2010...... 25 FIGURE 19: DIURNAL TRENDS NITROGEN DIOXIDE, 2010...... 27 FIGURE 20: ANNUAL NITROGEN DIOXIDE TREND, 1991 TO 2010...... 30 FIGURE 21: SHORT-TERM PEAK NITROGEN DIOXIDE TREND, 1991 TO 2010...... 30 FIGURE 22: CARBON MONOXIDE MONITORING, 2010...... 32 FIGURE 23: ANNUAL AVERAGE CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE LFV, 2010...... 33 FIGURE 24: SHORT-TERM PEAK CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE LFV, 2010...... 33 FIGURE 25: ANNUAL CARBON MONOXIDE TREND, 1991 TO 2010...... 34 FIGURE 26: SHORT-TERM PEAK CARBON MONOXIDE TREND, 1991 TO 2010...... 34 FIGURE 27: GROUND-LEVEL OZONE MONITORING (8-HOUR AND CWS), 2010...... 37 FIGURE 28: GROUND-LEVEL OZONE MONITORING (1-HOUR AND ANNUAL), 2010...... 37 FIGURE 29: ANNUAL AVERAGE OZONE IN THE LFV, 2010...... 38 FIGURE 30: SHORT-TERM PEAK OZONE IN THE LFV, 2010...... 38 FIGURE 31: MONTHLY AVERAGE OZONE, 2010...... 39 FIGURE 32: MONTHLY SHORT-TERM PEAK OZONE, 2010...... 39 FIGURE 33: DIURNAL TRENDS OZONE, 2010...... 42 FIGURE 34: ANNUAL OZONE TREND, 1991 TO 2010...... 45 FIGURE 35: SHORT-TERM PEAK OZONE TREND, 1991 TO 2010...... 45 FIGURE 36: FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) MONITORING, 2010...... 48 FIGURE 37: ANNUAL AVERAGE FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) IN THE LFV, 2010...... 49

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FIGURE 38: SHORT-TERM PEAK FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) IN THE LFV, 2010...... 49 FIGURE 39: MONTHLY AVERAGE FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5), 2010...... 51 FIGURE 40: MONTHLY SHORT-TERM PEAK FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5), 2010...... 51 FIGURE 41: DIURNAL TRENDS FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5), 2010...... 52 FIGURE 42: ANNUAL FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) TREND, 1999 TO 2010...... 54 FIGURE 43: SHORT-TERM PEAK FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) TREND, 1999 TO 2010...... 54 FIGURE 44: NON-CONTINUOUS PARTICULATE (PM2.5) MONITORING, 2010...... 55 FIGURE 45: FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) TRENDS AT PORT MOODY, 1988 TO 2010...... 56 FIGURE 46: INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10) MONITORING, 2010...... 58 FIGURE 47: ANNUAL AVERAGE INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10) IN THE LFV, 2010...... 59 FIGURE 48: SHORT-TERM PEAK INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10) IN THE LFV, 2010...... 59 FIGURE 49: MONTHLY AVERAGE INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10), 2010...... 61 FIGURE 50: MONTHLY SHORT-TERM PEAK INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10), 2010...... 61 FIGURE 51: DIURNAL TRENDS INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10), 2010...... 62 FIGURE 52: ANNUAL AVERAGE INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10) TREND, 1994 TO 2010...... 64 FIGURE 53: SHORT-TERM PEAK INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10) TREND, 1994 TO 2010...... 64 FIGURE 54: NON-CONTINUOUS INHALABLE PARTICULATE (PM10) SAMPLING, 2010...... 65 FIGURE 55: TOTAL REDUCED SULPHUR MONITORING, 2010...... 66 FIGURE 56: AMMONIA MONITORING, 2010 ...... 67 FIGURE 57: TOTAL VOC MONITORING, 2010...... 69 FIGURE 58: HISTORICAL TREND DATA FOR VOC MEASURED AT ROCKY POINT PARK (PORT MOODY)...... 69 FIGURE 59: IMAGES FROM THE ABBOTSFORD VISUAL AIR QUALITY MONITORING CAMERA SHOWING A GOOD, FAIR AND POOR DAY, RESPECTIVELY...... 70 FIGURE 60: MONTHLY AIR TEMPERATURES IN THE LFV, 2010...... 74 FIGURE 61: PRECIPITATION TOTALS IN THE LFV, 2010...... 75 FIGURE 62: TOTAL MONTHLY PRECIPITATION IN THE LFV, 2010...... 75 FIGURE 63: REPRESENTATIVE WIND ROSES THROUGHOUT THE LFV, 2010...... 76

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List of Acronyms

AQHI Air Quality Health Index

AQMP Air Quality Management Plan

BIALAQS Burrard Inlet Area Local Air Quality Study

CWS Canada-Wide Standard

CO Carbon Monoxide

FVRD Fraser Valley Regional District

LFV Lower Fraser Valley

MAMU Mobile Air Monitoring Unit

NAPS National Air Pollution Surveillance program

NOX Nitrogen oxides

NO2 Nitrogen dioxide

NO Nitric oxide

NH3 Ammonia

O3 Ozone

PM Particulate matter

PM10 Inhalable particulate matter (particles smaller than 10 micrometres in diameter)

PM2.5 Fine particulate matter (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter)

SOX Sulphur oxides

SO2 Sulphur dioxide

THC Total hydrocarbon

TRS Total reduced sulphur compounds

VOC Volatile organic compounds

2010 Air Quality Report for the Lower Fraser Valley iv

Section A – Introduction

This report summarizes data collected from air quality stations by the Lower Fraser Valley (LFV) Air Quality Monitoring Network in 2010 and describes the air quality monitoring activities and programs conducted during the year. The focus is to report on the state of ambient (outdoor) air quality in the LFV.

The LFV Air Quality Monitoring Network comprises 26 air quality stations located from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Hope. Pollutants monitored by the network include both gases and particulate matter. Common air Priority Pollutants contaminants include ozone (O ), carbon 3 Research indicates that adverse health effects monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO ), nitrogen 2 can occur at air quality levels commonly dioxide (NO ) and particulate matter. These are all 2 measured in the LFV. Health experts have widely monitored throughout the network. identified exposure to ozone and particulate matter Particulate matter consists of very small solid and as being associated with the most serious health liquid material suspended in the air. This air effects. Ozone is a strong oxidant that can irritate pollutant is characterized by size and measured in the eyes, nose and throat, and reduce lung units of a millionth of a metre, or micrometre (µm). function. Fine particulate (PM2.5) is small enough Particles with a diameter smaller than 10 to be breathed deeply into the lungs, resulting in micrometres are referred to as inhalable impacts to both respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Long-term exposure to these pollutants particulate (PM10), while those smaller than 2.5 can aggravate existing heart and lung diseases micrometres are termed fine particulate (PM2.5). and lead to premature mortality. Both PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations are monitored throughout the LFV. Of particular concern is PM2.5 that is emitted from Other pollutants monitored by the network include diesel fuel combustion in car, truck, marine, rail ammonia, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and non-road engines. These particles (“diesel odourous total reduced sulphur compounds (TRS) PM”) are believed to contribute significantly to the which are monitored primarily at stations near health effects described above. New Burrard Inlet, and different types of particulate instrumentation for PM2.5 monitoring is now being matter such as that typically emitted from diesel used to estimate the proportion of particles that engines. originate from diesel engines.

Additional information Metro Vancouver collects to Analysis of samples collected at one station in help monitor air quality conditions includes Metro Vancouver provides basic information about weather data and images recording visual air the composition of PM2.5 found in the LFV. More quality conditions (visibility). detailed analysis of PM2.5 is conducted at two further stations in the network, one in Metro Vancouver and one in the FVRD. Chemicals contained in the PM2.5 samples collected at these stations are identified and quantified at a federal laboratory. These data can then be used to help

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determine the emission sources contributing to the distances. These photographs can be used in a PM2.5 in our air. variety of ways from relating pollutant measurements (such as PM2.5 concentrations) to a Air Quality Trends visual range distance as well as visual perceptions of the view. Improvements have been made in air quality over the last two decades for some pollutants, including Air Quality Objectives/Standards nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds Several air quality objectives and standards are (VOC) and particulate matter (PM2.5). Despite used as benchmarks to characterize air quality significant population growth in the region over the including the federal Canada-Wide Standards, same time period, emission reductions across a and Metro Vancouver’s ambient air quality variety of sectors have brought about these objectives. improvements. In June 2000, the Canadian Council of Ministers The long-term regional trends for ground-level of the Environment (CCME) adopted Canada- ozone generally show a more mixed story. Long- Wide Standards to be implemented by 2010 for term trends of peak ozone concentrations show particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O3). These set some year-to-year variability but are currently specific limits for PM2.5 and O3 based on lower than those experienced in the 1980s. concentrations averaged over a three year period. However peak levels have been largely In October 2005, as part of the Air Quality unchanged over the last ten to fifteen years. Management Plan (AQMP) Metro Vancouver Average concentrations of ground-level ozone adopted health-based ambient air quality have generally increased slightly over the same objectives for ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM2.5 period. and PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). Metro Visual Air Quality Vancouver’s objectives are more stringent than the Canada-Wide Standards for PM2.5 and ozone. Visual air quality can become impaired because of Metro Vancouver’s PM2.5 objectives adopted in air contaminants in the LFV, causing views to 2005 were established in advance of any become partially or fully obscured by haze. This provincial objectives. haze may have different characteristics depending on the location. In parts of Metro Vancouver, In April 2009 the provincial government especially the more urbanized areas to the west, established new air quality objectives for PM2.5. the haze may have a brownish appearance due to The province’s annual target of eight micrograms emissions of nitrogen oxides from sources such per cubic metre (µg/m3) and annual planning goal as transportation. Further east in the Lower Fraser of six micrograms per cubic metre for PM2.5 are Valley, impaired visual air quality is often more stringent than the annual objective associated with a white haze, due to small previously set by Metro Vancouver. The provincial 3 particles (PM2.5) in the air that scatter light. 24-hour objective of 25 µg/m is numerically the same as Metro Vancouver’s 24-hour objective but Visual air quality monitoring activities include compliance with Metro Vancouver’s objective continuous measurements of nitrogen dioxide and requires that there are no exceedances. Since the PM2.5, measurements of the constituents of provincial objective allows some exceedances, the particulate matter that are important in the more stringent Metro Vancouver objective remains degradation of visual air quality (for example applicable in Metro Vancouver. particulate nitrate, particulate sulphate, elemental carbon and organic carbon) and light scattering. In 2010, eight automated digital cameras in the LFV recorded views along specific lines-of-sight with recognizable topographical features at known

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th Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) on August 4 when forest fire smoke from outside the region elevated PM2.5 levels at all stations The national health-based Air Quality Health Index throughout the LFV. The second advisory was (AQHI), developed by Environment Canada and issued for three days starting on August 16th when Health Canada, has been in use since 2008. The three stations in the west experienced elevated AQHI communicates the health risks associated PM2.5 concentrations. This advisory was also with a mix of air pollutants to the public and thought to be caused from forest fire smoke from provides guidance on how individuals can adjust outside the region. their exposure and physical activities as air pollution levels change.

The AQHI is calculated every hour using monitoring data from stations in the LFV. Current AQHI levels in the LFV, AQHI forecasts (for today, tonight, and tomorrow) and additional information about the AQHI are available at: http://www.airhealth.ca http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/index.html.

Environment Canada’s Weatheroffice weather forecast web pages also publish the AQHI values for the cities of Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Vancouver.

Air Quality Advisories Periods of degraded air quality can occur in the LFV for several reasons, such as summertime smog during hot weather, smoke from forest fires and winter inversions preventing dispersion of emitted air contaminants. In cooperation with partner agencies, including the Fraser Valley Regional District, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Fraser Health Authority, Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Metro Vancouver operates an air quality advisory program. In this program, air quality advisories are issued to the public when air quality has deteriorated or is predicted to deteriorate significantly within the LFV.

In the last ten years, the number of days on which air quality advisories were in place has generally ranged from zero to seven days annually. In 2010, hot temperatures and forest fires contributed to periods of degraded air quality during which two air quality advisories were issued and in place for a total of five days.

In August 2010, two air quality advisories were issued. The first was issued for four days starting

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Section B – Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Monitoring Network

Introduction PM2.5 monitoring stations are shown in Figures 2 to 5. Metro Vancouver operates the LFV Air Quality Monitoring Network which consists of air quality Portable equipment was used to carry out short- monitoring sites located between Horseshoe Bay term air quality monitoring studies (specialized in West Vancouver and Hope. The locations of the studies) in the region in 2010. The equipment monitoring stations are shown in Figure 1 while the employed in specialized studies included Metro pollutants measured at each station are identified Vancouver’s Mobile Air Monitoring Unit (MAMU) in Table 1. which is capable of monitoring gaseous and particulate pollutants in the same way as fixed monitoring stations. Specialized studies and other monitoring activities undertaken are described in Sections D, E and F.

Changes to Network Several changes occurred in 2010 as a result of ongoing enhancements to the network. Improvements and changes to the network are There are 26 fixed air quality monitoring stations in necessary to adapt to changes in population, land- the network which includes 22 stations located in use and demographics. In 2010, Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver and 4 stations located in the continued to implement recommendations made in FVRD. There are also two stations in the Metro a review of the LFV Air Quality Monitoring Network Vancouver region that only provide weather data. completed by air quality experts in 2008. Air quality and weather data from most of these stations are collected automatically on a Network improvement highlights for 2010 included continuous basis, transmitted to Metro the establishment of a new fixed network station in Vancouver’s head office in Burnaby, and stored in Tsawwassen (shown below), continuation of the an electronic database. The data are then used to establishment of two new fixed network stations in provide information to the public through the AQHI, Mission and Agassiz, implementation of a new air Metro Vancouver’s website and reports. At one of quality data acquisition system, and enhanced fine the fixed stations (White Rock) particulate matter is particulate monitoring at several stations. sampled throughout the year on a defined periodic schedule. These data are not collected automatically to the database.

All of the pollutants measured are discussed in this report but the focus is on the common air contaminants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Comparisons of measured levels of these air contaminants with federal, provincial and Metro Vancouver air quality objectives and standards and an assessment of regional trends are provided in Section C. The locations of SO2, O3, NO2 and

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Changes to the network in 2010 include: • Metro Vancouver completed installation of a new air quality data acquisition system and • Working with Port Metro Vancouver, the database to support the collection and Corporation of Delta, Tsawwassen First reporting of air quality data. The new system Nation, and Environment Canada a new fixed replaced the legacy system during the air quality monitoring station was established summer of 2010, and vastly improves in Tsawwassen. The new station became efficiency at both the operational and fully operational in May 2010. reporting levels. • In cooperation with the FVRD, the • The Abbotsford Airport (T34) station was establishment of two new monitoring stations temporarily taken out of service in May of in Agassiz and Mission in the FVRD 2010 and PM2.5 monitoring was relocated to continued. These stations are scheduled to Abbotsford-Mill Lake (T33). The lease on the become operational in 2012. land at Abbotsford Airport expired and was • Additional fine particulate (PM2.5) monitoring not renewed because of planned airport was added in September of 2010 at the expansion. It is anticipated that the station Richmond South (T17) and Surrey East (T15) will be relocated nearby in 2012. stations. • Following the 2010 Olympics, the Vancouver- Downtown (T1) station was temporarily taken out of service during renovation and landscaping activities at Robson Square. • The English Bluff station (#24) that had operated a non-continuous particulate matter monitor was decommissioned when the new continuous Tsawwassen station became fully operational.

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Figure 1: Lower Fraser Valley air quality monitoring network, 2010.

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Table 1: Air quality monitoring network, 2010.

Air Quality Monitors Meteorology Stations Continuous Non-Continuous Gases Particulate Matter

ID Name SO2 TRS NO2 CO O3 THC NH3 PM10 PM2.5 CARB NEPH VOC SP D Wind Tair SR RH BP Precip T1 * Vancouver-Downtown √ √ √ √ T2 Vancouver-Kitsilano √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T4 Burnaby-Kensington Park √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T6 N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T9 Port Moody √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T12 Chilliwack √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T13 North Delta √ √ √ √ √ T14 Burnaby Mountain √ √ √ √ √ √ T15 Surrey East √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T17 Richmond South √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T18 Burnaby South √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T20 Pitt Meadows √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T22 Burnaby-Burmount √ √ √ √ √ T23 Burnaby-Capitol Hill √ √ √ √ T24 Burnaby North √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T26 N. Vancouver-Mahon Park √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T27 Langley √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T29 Hope √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T30 Maple Ridge √ √ √ √ √ √ T31 Richmond-Airport √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T32 Coquitlam √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T33 Abbotsford-Mill Lake √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T34 * Abbotsford Airport √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ T35 Horseshoe Bay √ √ √ √ √ √ T37 Alex Fraser Bridge √ √ √ T38 Annaci s Island √ √ √ √ T39 * Tsawwassen √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 20 White Rock √ Total Monitoring Units 17 5 21 19 21 2 4 11 16 5 4 8 2 4 26 25 6 15 9 21

SO2 = sulphur dioxide; TRS = total reduced sulphur; NO2 = nitrogen dioxide; CO = carbon monoxide; O3 = ozone; THC = total hydrocarbon; NH3 = ammonia; PM10 = inhalable particulate matter;

PM2.5 = fine particulate matter; NEPH = particulate light scattering; VOC = volatile organic compounds; SP = particulate speciation; D = dichotomous. particulate.

Wind = wind speed and wind direction; Tair = air temperature; SR = solar radiation; RH = relative humidity; BP = barometric pressure; Precip = precipitation. √ = monitored at this location.

* = station did not operate during the entire year and data completeness is less than 75% complete.

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Figure 3: Nitrogen dioxide monitoring stations, 2010.

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Figure 4: Fine particulate (PM2.5) monitoring stations, 2010.

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Figure 5: Sulphur dioxide monitoring stations, 2010.

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Section C – Pollutant Measurements

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

Characteristics Monitoring Results

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless gas with a The results from SO2 monitoring during 2010 are pungent odour. It reacts in the air to form acidic illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8. Figure 6 displays substances such as sulphuric acid and sulphate the value of the maximum 1-hour and 24-hour particles. rolling average as well as the annual average for each SO2 monitoring location. The annual Brief exposure to high concentrations of SO2 and average and 24-hour rolling average are its by-products can irritate the upper respiratory represented on a map in Figures 7 and 8, tract and aggravate existing cardiac and respectively. respiratory disease in humans. Long-term exposure may increase the risk of developing Average SO2 concentrations were below the chronic respiratory disease. Metro Vancouver annual objective (30 µg/m3) with relatively low levels of less than 8 µg/m3 recorded The environmental effects of SO2 and its reaction at all stations. Hourly and 24-hour rolling average products have been studied for many years. SO2 concentrations were also well below the These compounds can cause damage to Metro Vancouver objectives at all stations. The vegetation and buildings, they play a role in the highest levels of SO2 were measured in the north- formation of acid rain and they may affect the west (Figures 7 and 8), particularly close to the natural balance of waterways and soils. Sulphur large sources of SO2 emissions (i.e., marine oxides (SOX) including SO2 can also combine with vessels/port areas and an oil refinery) in the other air contaminants to form the fine particulates Burrard Inlet area. (PM2.5) that are thought to be one of the contributing factors in the degradation of visual air quality in the region.

Metro Vancouver SO2 Objectives Sources 3 Sulphur dioxide is emitted when fossil fuels 1-hour: 450 µg/m (174 ppb) containing sulphur are burned. The largest source 24-hour: 125 µg/m3 (48 ppb) of SO2 emissions in the region is the marine sector, mostly ocean-going vessels. The major 3 Annual: 30 µg/m (12 ppb) industrial source of SO2 in this region is an oil refinery located in the Burrard Inlet area. Other significant sources contributing to the measured ambient SO2 concentrations include non-road engines, industry, heating and transportation (motor vehicles, aircraft and trains).

Local SO2 emissions are low relative to cities of similar size because natural gas, rather than coal or oil, is used in almost all residential, commercial and industrial heating in the region.

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Figures 9 and 10 show the seasonal trend of SO2 of the yearly variation can be attributed to with the monthly average shown in Figure 9 and meteorological variability while the major long- the maximum 24-hour rolling average shown in term changes in air quality are mainly thought to Figure 10. In the figures, concentrations from six result from changes in emissions. selected stations are shown alongside the range of concentrations measured at all stations (shown Long-term trends provide information to help as a grey band). There is little or no discernable assess the impact of emission reduction efforts, trend in SO2 concentrations throughout the year. policy changes, technology advances, etc. For The Port Moody and Burnaby North stations example, emissions of SO2 declined during the experienced their highest average concentrations early 1990s due to reduced sulphur content in on- in July and August while Vancouver-Kitsilano road fuels, the shutdown of several refineries, and measured its highest average in February. The reduced emissions from the cement industry. In highest maximum 1-hour measurement was recent years measurements of both the annual th recorded in Port Moody in March. short-term peak (99 percentile of the 1-hour values) and the annual average are markedly Tables 2 and 3 show the frequency distribution (or lower than they were in the early 1990s. count) of how many hourly and 24-hour rolling average measurements were in specific ranges, respectively. It can be seen that stations located near the Burrard Inlet area experienced a much greater occurrence of high concentrations compared with areas away from the Inlet.

A series of diurnal plots are shown in Figure 11 for each SO2 monitoring station. The plots demonstrate the differences between weekdays and weekends along with differences between summer and winter. Stations located outside of Burrard Inlet show little diurnal trend while stations located near the inlet show some interesting changes throughout the day.

In winter the Vancouver-Kitsilano, N. Vancouver- 2nd Narrows, and N. Vancouver-Mahon Park stations measured a single peak around noon and two peaks in summer with a morning peak and an evening peak. These three stations are located close to Burrard Inlet and SO2 concentrations can be influenced by emissions from ocean-going vessels. The Burnaby-Capitol Hill and Burnaby North stations show relatively high SO2 concentrations day and night compared to other stations, with no real discernable diurnal trend. Measurements of SO2 at these two stations are thought to be influenced by their proximity to the oil refinery.

The long-term SO2 trends in the LFV are shown in Figures 12 and 13. The annual average trend is given in Figure 12 with the short-term peak trend given in Figure 13 for the last two decades. Much

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Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver 3 Annual Objective (30 µg/m3) 24-Hour Objective (125 µg/m ) 1-Hour Objective (450 µg/m3)

Port Moody

Burnaby-Capitol Hill

Burnaby-Kensington Park

Burnaby North

N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows

N. Vancouver-Mahon Park

Vancouver-Kitsilano

Richmond-Airport

Burnaby South

Langley

Pitt Meadows Annual Average Richmond South Maximum 24-Hour Average Chilliwack Maximum 1-Hour Average

Abbotsford-Mill Lake

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 µ 3 Concentration ( g/m ) Figure 6: Sulphur dioxide monitoring, 2010.

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Figure 7: Annual average sulphur dioxide in the LFV, 2010.

Figure 8: Short-term peak sulphur dioxide in the LFV, 2010.

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Figure 9: Monthly average sulphur dioxide, 2010.

Figure 10: Monthly short-term peak sulphur dioxide, 2010.

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Table 2: Frequency distribution of hourly sulphur dioxide, 2010.

SO2 Concentration 3 (µg/m ) Vancouver-KitsilanoBurnaby-KensingtonN. Vancouver-2ndPort Park Moody NarrowsChilliwackRichmondBurnaby South SouthPitt MeadowsBurnaby-CapitolBurnaby Hill NorthN. Vancouver-MahonLangley Richmond-Airport Park Abbotsford-Mill Lake 0 to 12 8081 7878 7275 7749 8548 8492 8532 8338 7728 7007 8008 8597 8557 8511 12 to 24 433 527 800 512 1 11 50 10 530 1152 462 5 35 3 24 to 36 58 127 305 122 2 116 297 76 3 36 to 48 9 30 109 22 39 84 26 48 to 60 2 19 42 14 12 39 6 60 to 72 1 5 22 5 4 16 3 72 to 84 3 7 3 6 5 84 to 96 2 3 3 1 96 to 108 1 3 1 1 1 108 to 120 4 1 120 to 132 1 2 1 132 to 144 2 144 to 156 156 to 168 168 to 180 180 to 192 192 to 204 1 204 to 216 216 to 228 1 228 to 240 1 Missing 176 169 191 325 211 257 176 412 318 156 179 158 165 246

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Table 3: Frequency distribution of 24-hour rolling average sulphur dioxide, 2010.

SO2 Concentration 3 (µg/m ) Vancouver-KitsilanoBurnaby-KensingtonN. Vancouver-2ndPort Park Moody ChilliwackNarrows RichmondBurnaby South SouthPitt MeadowsBurnaby-CapitolBurnaby Hill NorthN. Vancouver-MahonLangley Richmond-Airport Park Abbotsford-Mill Lake 0 to 3 3902 3931 3581 5133 8563 7913 7494 8314 4440 1957 4180 8694 6824 8542 3 to 6 3129 2492 1861 1804 173 723 1179 107 2057 2607 2599 61 1810 100 6 to 9 1214 1349 1428 769 67 1163 1676 1388 104 9 to 12 366 546 736 473 547 1035 395 12 to 15 77 267 482 211 157 702 95 15 to 18 43 41 266 67 83 385 44 18 to 21 25 31 165 13 73 209 34 21 to 24 42 71 38 17 96 1 24 to 27 28 36 12 18 42 27 to 30 7 28 22 8 30 to 33 22 19 5 33 to 36 12 1 7 36 to 39 19 13 39 to 42 42 to 45 45 to 48 48 to 51 51 to 54 54 to 57 57 to 60 Missing 4 26 72 179 24 124 20 339 205 18 24 5 22 118

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Figure 11: Diurnal trends sulphur dioxide, 2010.

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Figure 11: Cont. diurnal trends sulphur dioxide, 2010.

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Figure 1: Annual sulphur dioxide trend, 1991 to 2010.

Figure 2: Short-term peak sulphur dioxide trend, 1991 to 2010.

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Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Characteristics such as the eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and in the FVRD. Of all the different oxides of nitrogen (NOX), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are of most The seasonal trend for NO2 in 2010 is concern in ambient air quality. Both are produced demonstrated by plotting monthly averages in by the high temperature combustion of fossil fuels, Figure 17 and the monthly maximum 1-hour and are collectively referred to as NOX. Nitric concentrations in Figure 18. Overall, NO2 oxide generally predominates in combustion concentrations were higher in the winter and lower emissions but rapidly undergoes chemical in the summer. This seasonal trend is typical of reactions in the atmosphere to produce NO2. the region and is the result of lower atmospheric mixing heights in winter along with increased Nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-brown gas with a traffic and residential, commercial and industrial pungent, irritating odour. It has been implicated in heating. acute and chronic respiratory disease and in the creation of acid rain. It also plays a major role in The frequency distribution of hourly ozone formation, and as a precursor to secondary concentrations measured in 2010 is given in Table particulate formation (PM2.5), both of which can 4. The greatest frequency of low concentrations affect visual air quality in the region. (0 to 10 µg/m3) occur at the Langley and Hope stations. The greatest frequency of mid-range Sources concentrations (40 to 70 µg/m3) occur in the west

Common NOX sources include boilers, building at the Vancouver-Kitsilano, Richmond-Airport and heating systems and internal combustion engines. Richmond South stations. The highest In the LFV, transportation sources account for concentrations (> 100 µg/m3) occur very approximately 75% of NOX emissions, with infrequently and at only three stations: N. stationary and area sources contributing the Vancouver 2nd Narrows, Port Moody and remainder. Richmond South.

Monitoring Results Metro Vancouver NO2 Objectives

Figure 14 shows the results of NO2 monitoring for 1-hour: 200 µg/m3 (107 ppb) 2010, while Figures 15 and 16 shows the same values spatially. Annual: 40 µg/m3 (22 ppb) All 1-hour NO concentrations continued to be 2 below Metro Vancouver objective at all times in A series of diurnal plots are shown in Figure 19 for 2010. Average levels for the year were also below each station that monitors NO 2. The plots Metro Vancouver’s annual objective. demonstrate the differences between weekdays and weekends along with differences between Emissions affecting NO2 concentrations are dominated by transportation sources. The summer and winter. Most stations exhibit higher concentrations on weekdays compared with dominance of traffic influencing NO2 is evident when reviewing the locations of the highest weekends and show a peak in the morning along concentrations. The highest concentrations are with a peak in the afternoon. Higher measured in more densely trafficked areas near concentrations tend to correspond relatively well busy roads. Lower concentrations were observed with traffic volume patterns. where traffic influences were less pronounced,

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nd North Vancouver-2 Narrows shows a slightly The long-term NO2 trends are shown Figures 20 different trend than most, with a steep increase in and 21. The annual average trend is given in the early morning hours of winter weekdays, while Figure 20 with the short-term peak trend given in on winter weekends they have a slower increase Figure 21 for the last two decades. with a lower plateau around noon. The North th Vancouver-2nd Narrows station is situated on an In 2010, the trend for average and peak (99 active industrial property within half a kilometre percentile of 1-hour) concentrations continued to from the 4th largest emitter of NOx in the region (a decline, showing constant improvement in NO2 chemical plant), and a major roadway. levels since the early 1990’s. Long-term changes in air quality can be attributed to changes in emissions while the year-to-year variation is likely attributable to meteorological variability. The improvements in the long-term trends shown here are thought to be largely due to improved vehicle emission standards and the AirCare program.

Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver Annual Objective (40 µg/m3) 1-Hour Objective (200 µg/m3)

N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows Richmond South Port Moody North Delta Abbotsford-Mill Lake Vancouver-Kitsilano Burnaby-Kensington Park Richmond-Airport Burnaby South Burnaby Mountain N. Vancouver-Mahon Park Pitt Meadows Coquitlam Surrey East Maple Ridge Hope Annual Average Chilliwack Maximum 1-Hour Average Langley

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 Concentration (µg/m3)

Figure 14: Nitrogen dioxide monitoring, 2010.

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Figure 15: Annual average nitrogen dioxide in the LFV, 2010.

Figure 16: Short-term peak nitrogen dioxide in the LFV, 2010.

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Figure 17: Monthly average nitrogen dioxide, 2010.

Figure 18: Monthly short-term peak nitrogen dioxide, 2010.

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Table 4: Frequency distribution of hourly nitrogen dioxide, 2010.

NO2 Concentration 3 (µg/m ) Vancouver-KitsilanoBurnaby-KensingtonN. Vancouver-2ndPort Park Moody NarrowsChilliwackNorth DeltaBurnaby MountainSurrey EastRichmondBurnaby South SouthPitt MeadowsN. Vancouver-MahonLangley Hope Park Maple RidgeRichmond-AirportCoquitlamAbbotsford-Mill Lake 0 to 10 1283 1398 867 1226 3226 1730 3600 2842 1963 1087 3667 1915 4808 4157 3689 1721 2196 2743 10 to 20 1533 3013 2672 2525 3139 2522 3223 2778 2039 2589 2245 2878 2518 2841 2898 2130 2812 2960 20 to 30 1454 2038 2294 2232 1381 1717 1162 1601 1555 2082 1175 1749 866 1210 1268 1492 1862 1618 30 to 40 1346 1099 1393 1582 543 1262 413 833 1350 1302 538 1100 264 275 556 1241 1113 745 40 to 50 1318 488 712 689 155 719 126 348 958 743 195 595 68 82 149 980 448 289 50 to 60 897 241 361 223 33 351 51 149 524 406 53 235 7 18 39 650 150 82 60 to 70 508 105 153 52 2 174 15 34 163 170 23 87 6 14 312 23 23 70 to 80 103 15 64 7 49 15 2 26 44 5 9 52 5 1 80 to 90 13 4 19 4 4 4 3 5 1 11 90 to 100 1 1 12 1 1 1 100 to 110 3 1 1 110 to 120 1 120 to 130 Missing 304 358 209 218 281 231 151 173 178 332 859 191 229 171 147 171 151 298

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Figure 19: Diurnal trends nitrogen dioxide, 2010.

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Figure 19: Cont. diurnal trends nitrogen dioxide, 2010.

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Figure 19: Cont. diurnal trends nitrogen dioxide, 2010.

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Figure 20: Annual nitrogen dioxide trend, 1991 to 2010.

Figure 21: Short-term peak nitrogen dioxide trend, 1991 to 2010.

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Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Characteristics changes in emissions. Both the average and the short-term peak (99th percentile of the 1-hour Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless values) continued to show an improving trend and tasteless gas produced by the incomplete downward. In the LFV region, average levels have combustion of fuels containing carbon. It has a decreased dramatically since the early nineties. strong affinity for haemoglobin and thus reduces Declining CO concentrations are largely due to the ability of blood to transport oxygen. Long-term improved vehicle emission standards and the exposure to low concentrations may cause AirCare program. adverse effects in people suffering from cardiovascular disease. Metro Vancouver CO Objectives

Sources 3 1-hour: 30,000 µg/m (26.5 ppm) Carbon monoxide is the most widely distributed 3 and commonly occurring air pollutant. The 8-hour: 10,000 µg/m (8.8 ppm) principle source is motor vehicle emissions. In the LFV, over 90% comes from mobile sources which include cars, trucks, buses and non-road engines. Other sources contributing to measured CO levels are building heating and commercial and industrial operations.

Monitoring Results Figures 22, 23 and 24 illustrate the results of CO monitoring for 2010. Figure 22 displays the value of the maximum 1-hour and 8-hour average as well as the annual average for each CO monitoring location. The same values are represented on a map in Figure 22 and 23.

Measured carbon monoxide levels were well below Metro Vancouver’s objectives at all stations throughout the LFV. The highest concentrations generally occurred in the west in highly urbanized areas that experience higher volumes of traffic.

Average levels remained low throughout the LFV (less than 400 µg/m3) with the lowest readings recorded at stations to the east of the highly urbanized areas.

Figures 25 and 26 illustrate the long-term average and peak CO trends in the LFV, respectively. Some year-to-year variation is evident and likely due to meteorological variability however, long- term changes in air quality are mainly attributed to

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Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver 8-Hour Objective (10,000 µg/m3) 1-Hour Objective (30,000 µg/m3)

Richmond South Vancouver-Kitsilano Maple Ridge Richmond-Airport Abbotsford-Mill Lake Burnaby South Horseshoe Bay N. Vancouver-Mahon Park Burnaby-Kensington Park Port Moody Coquitlam Langley Surrey East Chilliwack N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows Maximum 1-Hour Maximum 8-Hour Pitt Meadows Annual Average Hope

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 Concentration (µg/m3)

Figure 22: Carbon monoxide monitoring, 2010.

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Figure 23: Annual average carbon monoxide in the LFV, 2010.

Figure 24: Short-term peak carbon monoxide in the LFV, 2010.

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Figure 25: Annual carbon monoxide trend, 1991 to 2010.

Figure 26: Short-term peak carbon monoxide trend, 1991 to 2010.

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Ozone (O3)

Characteristics major precursor emissions such as in eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and in the FVRD. Ozone (O3) is a reactive form of oxygen. It is the major pollutant formed when NOX and reactive Monitoring Results volatile organic compounds (VOC) react chemically in the presence of sunlight. Sunlight Figure 27 illustrates the results of O3 monitoring in plays a significant role in O3 production and as 2010 and is shown along with Metro Vancouver’s such, local maximum O3 concentrations are 8-hour objective and the Canada-Wide Standard. usually experienced during the summer. In recent years, maximum 8-hour average O3 has

Naturally occurring O3 in the upper level of the exceeded the Metro Vancouver objective at atmosphere, known as the stratosphere, shields several stations throughout the LFV while the the surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Canada-wide Standard (CWS) value, which is an However, at ground level O3 is a major average calculated from the current and previous environmental and health concern. Ozone is a two years, has been exceeded at Hope. In 2010 strong oxidant and can irritate the eyes, nose and however, the Canada-Wide Standard for O3 was throat as well as reduce lung function. High not exceeded nor was the more stringent 8-hour concentrations can also increase the susceptibility objective. In fact, 2010 was the first time in ten to respiratory disease and reduce crop yields. years where the 8-hour objective was not exceeded at any of the stations. Exceedances of Sources this objective have occurred in the Lower Fraser Valley every year for the previous 9 years. Ozone is termed a secondary pollutant because it is not usually emitted directly into the air. Instead, Metro Vancouver O3 Objective it is formed from chemical reactions involving 3 pollutants identified as precursors, including NOX 8-hour: 126 µg/m (65 ppb) and reactive VOC. The levels of O3 measured depend on the emissions of these precursor 1-hour: 160 µg/m3 (82 ppb) pollutants.

Nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions are dominated by transportation sources. About 75% of the Canada-Wide Standard for O3 emissions come from cars, trucks, marine vessels, th and non-road engines. Other sources include 8-hour: 65 ppb, (based on the 4 highest boilers and building heating systems. measurement annually, averaged over 3 consecutive years) The main contributors to VOC emissions are natural sources (trees and vegetation), solvent evaporation (industrial, commercial and consumer products such as paints, varnishes and thinners), cars and light trucks, non-road engines and agriculture.

The formation of O3 occurs readily during hot and sunny weather conditions with peak levels observed in the summer. Under these conditions, the highest levels generally occur downwind of

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Figure 28 displays 1-hour maximum and annual A series of diurnal plots are shown in Figure 33 for average O3 shown along with the 1-hour Metro each O3 monitoring station. The diurnal plots Vancouver objective. The Metro Vancouver 1-hour illustrate the weekday/weekend differences along objective (82 ppb) was exceeded at Hope with a with summer/winter differences. Most of the value of 82.7 ppb for one hour of the year in 2010. stations exhibit similar diurnal trends. In past years the 1-hour objective of 82 ppb was exceeded at numerous stations in the eastern In the summer, O3 concentrations are low through portion of the LFV. the night and begin increasing near sunrise with the highest (peak) concentration occurring in the No air quality advisories were issued in 2010 as a afternoon. Examining when the peak occurs it result of O3 concentrations. Typically air quality can be seen that on average the stations in the advisories are issued when a pollutant exceeds or west peak first (around 2:00 pm PST) while the is predicted to exceed an air quality objective or stations in the east peak several hours later with standard at more than one monitoring location. Hope typically experiencing the highest and latest peak in the day (around 4:00 pm PST). On very Spatially illustrated on a map, Figures 29 and 30 hot sunny days, typically during a summertime displays the annual average and maximum 1-hour episode, the stations peak later in the day with average O3 concentration, respectively. It can be Hope experiencing a peak closer to 5:00 pm PST. seen that the largest maximum short-term Winter shows a similar trend of an afternoon peak concentrations occur in the eastern parts of Metro although it is greatly attenuated compared with the Vancouver and the FVRD (Figure 30). The lowest summer. annual averages of O3 (Figure 29) are seen to occur in highly urbanized areas because of O3 Figure 34 illustrates the long-term annual average scavenging. Ozone scavenging occurs in O3 trend in the LFV. Annual O3 levels have locations where higher levels of NOx are found generally shown an upward trend since the early (e.g. urban areas or near busy roadways, due to 1990s. Research indicates that background ozone emissions). In these areas, emissions containing concentrations may be rising and could be one NOx, react very quickly with O3 to form NO2 factor for the observed increase in average levels. (nitrogen dioxide) and O2 (oxygen) thus decreasing O3 concentrations. The short-term peak O3 concentration trends shown in Figure 35 are less evident and more The seasonal variation evident in Figures 31 and difficult to describe for the region. Clearly there 32 is typical of historical ozone trends in the LFV are year-to-year differences which are likely with higher values in the spring and summer, and related to variability in meteorology, however there lower values during the fall and winter. Given that doesn’t appear to be a trend in peak O3 is created through photochemical reactions concentrations. Peak ozone levels have been there is a much greater production in the spring mostly unchanged during the last ten to fifteen and summer with the presence of sunlight. The years, despite significant reductions in ozone spring time exhibits the highest average O3 precursor pollutants over the same time period. concentrations (Figure 31) while the highest short- On-going research is helping to suggest the most term hourly concentrations (Figure 32) occur in appropriate strategies to improve ozone levels. the summer.

The frequency distribution for hourly and 8-hour rolling average concentrations is shown in Tables 5 and 6, respectively. The frequency distributions in these tables show how often various O3 levels are reached. It can be seen that stations located in the eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and the FVRD measured the greatest frequency of high O3 concentrations.

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Metro Vancouver 8-Hour Objective (65 ppb) AND Canada-Wide Standard (65 ppb)

Chilliwack Hope Abbotsford-Mill Lake Maple Ridge Langley Coquitlam Burnaby Mountain Pitt Meadows Surrey East Port Moody Richmond South Vancouver-Kitsilano Richmond-Airport Burnaby-Kensington Park North Delta Burnaby South Canada-Wide Standard Value N. Vancouver-Mahon Park Maximum 8-Hour Average N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Concentration (ppb)

Figure 27: Ground-level ozone monitoring (8-hour and CWS), 2010.

Federal 1-Hour Desirable Objective Metro Vancouver 1-Hour (51 ppb) Objective (82 ppb)

Hope Chilliwack Coquitlam Maple Ridge Abbotsford-Mill Lake Pitt Meadows N. Vancouver-Mahon Park Langley Surrey East Vancouver-Kitsilano Burnaby Mountain Burnaby-Kensington Park Richmond-Airport N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows Port Moody Annual Average Richmond South North Delta Maximum 1-Hour Average Burnaby South

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 Concentration (ppb)

Figure 28: Ground-level ozone monitoring (1-hour and annual), 2010.

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Figure 29: Annual average ozone in the LFV, 2010.

Figure 30: Short-term peak ozone in the LFV, 2010.

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Figure 31: Monthly average ozone, 2010.

Figure 32: Monthly short-term peak ozone, 2010.

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Table 5: Frequency distribution of hourly ozone, 2010.

O3 Concentration (ppb) Vancouver-KitsilanoBurnaby-KensingtonN. Vancouver-2ndPort Park Moody NarrowsChilliwackNorth DeltaBurnaby MountainSurrey EastRichmondBurnaby South SouthPitt MeadowsN. Vancouver-MahonLangley Hope Park Maple RidgeRichmond-AirportCoquitlamAbbotsford-Mill Lake 0 to 5 2552 1308 1703 2729 1805 1519 107 1045 2144 1095 1661 1513 1112 2206 1308 1967 1872 1412 5 to 10 1127 1149 1454 1051 1086 1025 242 965 873 1036 765 1000 764 1113 941 938 1091 1039 10 to 15 1045 1194 1427 983 1210 1236 533 1204 887 1200 892 1113 937 967 1125 1049 995 1080 15 to 20 950 1340 1335 978 1209 1289 1029 1348 1026 1175 1054 1266 1178 940 1228 1062 1105 1161 20 to 25 821 1274 1074 897 1031 1101 1472 1270 1035 1134 1113 1142 1252 921 1133 1133 1090 1093 25 to 30 748 1042 756 735 856 1027 1783 1100 802 1019 1096 1034 1306 820 1147 912 941 978 30 to 35 672 797 513 566 677 725 1736 777 748 734 970 803 986 677 823 758 740 810 35 to 40 450 341 205 365 420 381 1117 541 572 350 568 422 653 500 513 535 480 588 40 to 45 186 82 58 160 157 137 352 236 272 86 218 95 265 224 258 188 203 234 45 to 50 27 25 10 36 51 29 63 72 65 24 45 25 78 86 62 37 52 59 50 to 55 14 6 4 13 32 10 26 19 15 4 20 4 31 43 18 7 23 19 55 to 60 1 5 1 11 12 3 10 12 5 2 7 5 19 24 18 1 14 21 60 to 65 2 1 1 2 15 1 8 4 3 11 18 12 1 6 10 65 to 70 1 6 2 1 3 5 1 10 10 1 4 70 to 75 1 5 1 1 75 to 80 1 4 80 to 85 1 Missing 163 196 217 234 191 277 287 161 316 901 343 329 166 201 163 172 145 252

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Table 6: Frequency distribution of 8-hour rolling average ozone, 2010.

O3 Concentration (ppb) Vancouver-KitsilanoBurnaby-KensingtonN. Vancouver-2ndPort Park Moody NarrowsChilliwackNorth DeltaBurnaby MountainSurrey EastRichmondBurnaby South SouthPitt MeadowsN. Vancouver-MahonLangley Hope Park Maple RidgeRichmond-AirportCoquitlamAbbotsford-Mill Lake 0 to 5 1999 895 1307 2157 1310 1164 46 691 1561 806 1228 1032 721 1751 932 1481 1352 1000 5 to 10 1455 1272 1564 1349 1398 1166 163 1123 1186 1143 999 1208 877 1363 1031 1209 1301 1139 10 to 15 1335 1455 1762 1318 1415 1369 529 1330 1194 1369 1059 1349 1164 1183 1300 1301 1259 1352 15 to 20 1169 1585 1538 1211 1432 1521 1016 1540 1267 1327 1191 1490 1321 1147 1454 1331 1333 1365 20 to 25 951 1466 1183 1086 1110 1309 1556 1436 1145 1332 1312 1360 1478 1014 1344 1181 1276 1240 25 to 30 812 1087 752 726 926 1061 2195 1156 808 1060 1190 1110 1372 958 1206 940 1012 1101 30 to 35 577 678 397 475 634 637 1833 835 747 655 1006 685 1008 601 796 740 714 793 35 to 40 331 174 117 224 299 260 947 393 432 217 366 260 524 414 428 396 302 440 40 to 45 76 50 30 70 91 64 221 161 180 59 142 33 175 134 135 114 123 140 45 to 50 15 13 23 40 14 48 42 34 4 22 6 48 52 39 10 31 32 50 to 55 2 3 2 16 5 16 13 7 8 17 39 13 10 18 55 to 60 14 2 4 3 9 21 13 1 4 60 to 65 13 5 65 to 70 Missing 38 82 110 119 75 190 188 36 206 788 238 216 46 70 64 57 46 136

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Figure 33: Diurnal trends ozone, 2010.

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Figure 33: Cont. Diurnal trends ozone, 2010.

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Figure 33: Cont. Diurnal trends ozone, 2010.

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* Vancouver-Downtown (T1) and Burnaby Mountain (T14) stations not included due to incomplete data.

Figure 34: Annual ozone trend, 1991 to 2010.

* Vancouver-Downtown (T1) and Burnaby Mountain (T14) stations not included due to incomplete data.

Figure 35: Short-term peak ozone trend, 1991 to 2010.

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Fine Particulate (PM2.5)

Characteristics Monitoring Results

The term 'PM2.5' has been given to airborne Figure 36 illustrates the PM2.5 monitoring in 2010 particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres (µm) for multiple averaging periods. All stations with or less, also known as fine particulate. Particles of sufficient data available to calculate a Canada- this size make up a fraction of PM10 (those wide standard value were found to be below the particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less) Standard. Canada-wide standard values for 2010 which can vary with factors such as season and ranged from 12 to 15 µg/m3. Values were not location. Within the LFV emissions of PM2.5 calculated for Horseshoe Bay and Port Moody represent approximately one-half of the PM10 because three complete years were not available emissions, which is a typical value for North at these stations. American urban environments. The annual average and maximum 24-hour rolling Given the very small size of these particles, they average are shown on a map in Figures 37 and 38, can penetrate into the finer structures of the lungs. respectively. The annual averages were similar As with inhalable particulate (PM10), exposure to amongst the PM2.5 monitoring locations with a 3 fine particulate (PM2.5) can lead to both chronic value of less than 5 µg/m . These were all below and acute human health impacts, aggravate the Metro Vancouver annual objective (8 µg/m3) pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, increase and planning goal (6 µg/m3). symptoms in asthmatics and increase mortality. Fine particulate matter is considered by health Several exceedances of Metro Vancouver’s 24- experts to be an air pollutant of serious concern hour PM2.5 objective were seen in 2010. Maximum because of these health effects. 24-hour rolling averages exceeded the objective at all stations, ranging from 29 to 43 µg/m3. The Fine particulate is also effective at scattering and exceedances occurred during two distinct episodes absorbing visible light. In this role PM2.5 contributes in the summer of 2010, both thought to be to regional haze and impaired visual air quality. attributed to smoke from forest fires. Sources Metro Vancouver PM2.5 Objective Emissions of PM2.5 are dominated by 3 transportation, space heating and industrial 24-hour: 25 µg/m sources. In addition to these local sources, PM2.5 3 can be transported long distances in the air from Annual: 8 µg/m sources such as large forest fires in other parts of Annual Planning Goal: 6 µg/m3 western Canada and the US.

Scientific investigations in the LFV indicate that a considerable proportion of ambient PM2.5 is also Canada-Wide Standard formed by reactions of NOX and SO2 with ammonia in the air. Fine particulate produced in this manner 24-hour: 30 µg/m3 (based on the 98th percentile is called secondary PM2.5 and accounts for a measurement annually, averaged over 3 significant percentage of PM2.5 in summer. consecutive years). Therefore, emissions of precursor gases of secondary PM2.5 are also important sources in the region.

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The first episode occurred August 4 when the 24- respectively. The short-term peak concentrations hour objective was exceeded at all stations within reflect the highest levels that occur represented by the LFV. The Hope station was the first to the 99th percentile of the 24-hour rolling average measure an exceedance and was also the last for each year. location where measurements dropped below the objective. Given this it is thought that forest fire The differences in peak trends from year to year smoke originated from an area outside of the LFV are likely driven by meteorological variability and and was transported through the Fraser Canyon forest fire activities. Overall, the average long-term during this period. trend shows little variation and perhaps suggest a slight decrease. During the second episode, on August 16, only three stations experienced elevated PM2.5 that exceeded the 24-hour objective. The three stations that measured exceedances were all located in the west including Tsawwassen, Richmond-Airport and Vancouver-Kitsilano.

An air quality advisory was in effect during both episodes and it was thought that smoke was transported from forest fires from other parts of the province and western areas of the U.S.A.

Table 7 gives the frequency distribution of PM2.5 concentrations for the year. The most northern stations experienced the greatest frequency of 3 high PM2.5 concentrations (> 25 µg/m ) which is thought to be a result of forest fire smoke.

Seasonally, PM2.5 levels are generally higher in the summer with the highest values typically experienced in July, August and September (Figure 39). In 2010, peak levels were seen in August when there were many active forest fires in the province (Figure 40). September was wetter than normal which kept PM2.5 values lower than normal. As in previous years, the lowest concentrations were measured in winter months.

A series of diurnal plots are shown in Figure 41 for each PM2.5 monitoring station. In the summer, weekdays exhibit slightly higher PM2.5 concentrations than weekends, likely the result of greater human activities (traffic, outdoor burning, agricultural activities, industrial processes, etc.). In the winter the weekend evenings tend to be elevated compared with weekday evenings, a trend especially evident at Vancouver-Kitsilano. It is not entirely clear why this trend is present.

Figures 42 and 43 illustrate the long-term PM2.5 trends in the LFV with the annual average and peak concentrations shown in the graphs,

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Metro Vancouver Annual Planning Metro Vancouver Annual Metro Vancouver Canada-Wide Goal (6 µg/m3) Objective (8 µg/m3) 24-Hour Objective Standard

Horseshoe Bay

Port Moody

Hope

Pitt Meadows

Burnaby-Kensington Park

Vancouver-Kitsilano

Richmond-Airport

Chilliwack

Burnaby South

Langley Canada-Wide Standard Value Abbotsford Airport Annual Average Maximum 24-Hour Average N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Concentration (µg/m3)

Note: Due to data completeness requirements not all values are shown here.

Figure 36: Fine particulate (PM2.5) monitoring, 2010.

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Figure 37: Annual average fine particulate (PM2.5) in the LFV, 2010.

Figure 38: Short-term peak fine particulate (PM2.5) in the LFV, 2010.

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Table 7: Frequency distribution of 24-hour rolling average fine particulate (PM2.5), 2010.

PM2.5 Concentration 3 (µg/m ) Vancouver-KitsilanoBurnaby-KensingtonPort Moody ParkChilliwack Burnaby SouthPitt MeadowsLangley Hope Richmond-AirportHorseshoe Bay 0 to 2 1576 2193 1104 1514 1865 2451 2186 2365 1930 1901 2 to 4 3317 3293 3039 2839 3395 2682 2738 3437 3223 3304 4 to 6 2127 1717 1751 1399 1667 1608 1832 1662 1985 1367 6 to 8 1045 980 1042 928 762 1102 859 570 948 590 8 to 10 401 303 522 343 199 388 254 201 329 101 10 to 12 110 63 127 105 85 102 141 114 151 24 12 to 14 55 76 42 24 19 57 96 68 28 39 14 to 16 10 15 9 21 28 17 90 37 44 49 16 to 18 10 16 5 14 38 13 80 4 19 24 18 to 20 13 15 4 19 20 19 17 5 14 17 20 to 22 13 14 6 6 7 17 6 4 10 11 22 to 24 14 24 5 7 4 5 8 2 12 3 24 to 26 20 5 3 5 4 4 11 3 9 3 26 to 28 11 5 6 7 10 5 6 2 13 3 28 to 30 4 6 4 7 9 5 9 9 6 3 30 to 32 5 4 5 5 9 11 4 32 to 34 6 4 4 5 16 1 3 34 to 36 9 5 6 12 3 36 to 38 9 6 10 2 38 to 40 1 3 40 to 42 4 42 to 44 3 44 to 46 Missing 23 18 1067 1519 648 263 427 230 27 1299

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Note: North Vancouver -2nd Narrows, Abbotsford-Mill Lake and Abbotsford-Airport are not included in the grey band as they didn’t meet the data completeness requirements.

Figure 39: Monthly average fine particulate (PM2.5), 2010.

Note: North Vancouver -2nd Narrows, Abbotsford-Mill Lake and Abbotsford-Airport are not included in the grey band as they didn’t meet the data completeness requirements.

Figure 40: Monthly short-term peak fine particulate (PM2.5), 2010.

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*Data completeness requirements were not met at this site in winter.

Figure 41: Diurnal trends fine particulate (PM2.5), 2010.

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*Data completeness requirements were not met at this site in winter.

Figure 41: Cont. Diurnal trends fine particulate (PM2.5), 2010.

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*The long-term stations include Chilliwack, Pitt Meadows, and Richmond Airport which were the first three stations to continuously measure PM2.5 in the region.

Figure 42: Annual fine particulate (PM2.5) trend, 1999 to 2010.

*The long-term stations include Chilliwack, Pitt Meadows, and Richmond Airport which were the first three stations to continuously measure PM2.5 in the region.

Figure 43: Short-term peak fine particulate (PM2.5) trend, 1999 to 2010.

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Non-Continuous PM2.5 Sampling

Fine particulate (PM2.5) non-continuous sampling continuous monitors that operated in 2010. There has historically been conducted at five stations. were no exceedances of either Metro However, in 2010 two of these sites stopped non- Vancouver’s 24-hour PM2.5 objective or the continuous sampling due to the addition of a new provincial annual average objective. network station in Tsawwassen (T39) and the relocation of the Abbotsford Airport station (T34). Very detailed information about the chemical composition of PM2.5 is obtained from two The non-continuous 24-hour (daily) particulate stations in the network (Burnaby South and matter samples are collected on filters every third Abbotsford Airport) as a result of analysis carried or sixth day depending on the site. The sampling is out by the federal NAPS program. From these scheduled in accordance with the National Air 24-hour samples, the various compounds that Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program. After form PM2.5 are identified in a federal laboratory. A sample collection, the filters are weighed in the detailed analysis by NAPS is also carried out on laboratory to determine particulate concentrations. the filter samples providing the non-continuous measurements of PM2.5 in Port Moody. These Figure 44 presents maximum 24-hour and average detailed data are not shown in this report. PM2.5 values from the three stations with non-

30 Metro Vancouver 24-Hour Objective

) 24-hour Maximum 3 20 Annual Average

g/m Metro Vancouver Annual Objective µ

10 Concentration (

0 White Rock Port Moody *Burnaby South

* Data completeness for the provincial annual average were not met for Burnaby South. The annual average shown above was calculated from all available data for the year for the station.

Figure 44: Non-continuous particulate (PM2.5) monitoring, 2010.

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Non-continuous sampling provides the longest record of PM2.5 measurements in the LFV. Figure 45 shows PM2.5 measurements made in Port Moody over the two decades.

A clear decreasing trend in both peak (99th percentile) and average PM2.5 levels was seen from when measurements began in the late 1980s until the middle of the 1990s. Emissions reductions from the wood products industry, oil refining and better vehicle emissions control contributed to this improvement. However, since the late 1990s average and peak concentrations appear to have levelled off.

50

Short-Term Peak Average )

3 40 g/m µ

30

20 Concentration ( Concentration 2.5

PM 10

0 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

Figure 45: Fine particulate (PM2.5) trends at Port Moody, 1988 to 2010.

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Inhalable Particulate (PM10)

Characteristics was transported to the LFV during this time from forest fire activity outside of the region. The term ‘PM10’ refers to airborne particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres (µm) or less. This Table 8 gives the frequency distribution of various material is also known as inhalable particulate PM10 concentrations for the year. It can be seen matter which, given their small size, can be inhaled that Pitt Meadows experienced the greatest 3 and deposited in the lungs. frequency of high PM10 concentrations (>50 µg/m ) but also experienced the greatest frequency of Exposure to PM can lead to both chronic and 3 10 very low PM concentrations (0 to 5 µg/m ). The acute human health impacts, particularly 10 distribution of PM concentrations measured at pulmonary function. Inhalable particulate can 10 Pitt Meadows is likely the result of a relatively aggravate existing pulmonary and cardiovascular clean environment being impacted by forest fire or disease, increase symptoms in asthmatics and outdoor burning smoke. increase mortality. High PM10 levels can also increase corrosion and soiling of materials, and The seasonal trend of PM10 followed a typical may damage vegetation. The smaller particles also pattern for the LFV with the highest average and contribute to degraded visual air quality. peak concentrations occurring during hot and dry conditions in the summer (Figures 49 and 50). Sources Typically there is potential for the LFV to be Inhalable particulate is emitted from a variety of influenced by forest fire smoke when weather industrial, agricultural, mobile and area sources. patterns are conducive to forest fire creation. Also Open burning can emit considerable PM10 as well in the summer surfaces tend to be dryer and have as road dust. Road dust is made up of material the potential for dust creation. that has been previously deposited on the road surface such as mud and dirt track-out, leaves, A series of diurnal plots are shown in Figure 51 for vehicle exhaust, tire debris, brake linings, and each PM10 monitoring station. The plots show the pavement wear. Traffic or wind re-suspends the differences between weekdays and weekends road dust into the air. There are also natural along with differences between summer and winter. sources of PM10 such as wind blown soil, forest fires, ocean spray and volcanic activity. Metro Vancouver PM10 Objectives Monitoring Results 24-hour: 50 µg/m3 Figure 46 illustrates the PM10 monitoring in 2010, while Figures 47 and 48 shows the same values Annual: 20 µg/m3 spatially. Annual averages at all stations were quite similar with each other, about half the Metro Vancouver annual objective. The Metro Vancouver 24-hour objective was exceeded at three PM10 monitoring stations: Hope, North Vancouver – Mahon Park, and Pitt Meadows. During August 5 to 6, when an air quality advisory was in effect, the three stations measured 24-hour rolling averages greater than 50 µg/m3 for several hours. It was thought that smoke

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Most of the stations show relatively little diurnal The first continuous PM10 monitors were installed variation, especially in winter. In the summer, in the region in 1994. In the figures a light grey weekdays exhibit higher concentrations than band represents the range of the first four PM10 weekends, likely the result of greater traffic monitoring locations (Port Moody, Chilliwack, volumes (road dust) and work related activities Burnaby South, and Langley) while the dark gray (outdoor burning, agricultural activities, industrial band starts in 1997 and represents the range of all processes, etc.) during the week. Pitt Meadows PM10 stations in the network. has the most apparent weekday/weekend differences in summer. It is known that outdoor The annual average PM10 trend (Figure 52) shows burning of agricultural waste occurs from time to a general decrease in the last 15 years. The peak th time near the Pitt Meadows station. trend, represented as the 99 percentile of the 24- hour rolling average in Figure 53, shows a slight The long-term PM10 trends are shown in Figures improvement but in recent years appears relatively 52 and 53 between the years 1994 to 2010. The unchanged. The large peak measured in 1998 was annual average trend is given in Figure 52 with the attributed to a dust storm in Asia with the dust short-term peak trend given in Figure 53. carried to the LFV by the wind patterns at the time. The 2005 peak was the result of a large fire in Burns Bog located in Delta.

Metro Vancouver Metro Vancouver Annual Objective 24-Hour Objective

Abbotsford-Mill Lake

Richmond-Airport

Hope

Langley

N. Vancouver-Mahon Park

Pitt Meadows

Burnaby South

Chilliwack Annual Average

Maximum 24 Hour Average Port Moody

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Concentration (µg/m3)

Note : Burnaby-Kensington Park did not meet the data completeness requirements and is not shown in the figure.

Figure 46: Inhalable particulate (PM10) monitoring, 2010.

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Figure 47: Annual average inhalable particulate (PM10) in the LFV, 2010.

Figure 48: Short-term peak inhalable particulate (PM10) in the LFV, 2010.

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Table 8: Frequency distribution of 24-hour rolling average inhalable particulate (PM10), 2010.

PM10 Concentration 3 (µg/m ) Port MoodyChilliwackBurnaby SouthPitt MeadowsN. Vancouver-MahonLangley HopePark Richmond-AirportAbbotsford-Mill Lake 0 to 5 383 473 353 1153 552 671 911 121 569 5 to 10 4286 4304 3955 2884 4120 3841 4902 3746 3902 10 to 15 2461 1922 2407 1867 2132 2039 1793 2913 2257 15 to 20 916 657 1395 1206 1087 699 729 885 1231 20 to 25 260 168 461 444 280 260 186 214 303 25 to 30 42 49 75 48 69 84 117 75 92 30 to 35 32 3 29 22 34 13 52 22 73 35 to 40 10 42 16 7 24 26 27 12 40 to 45 12 12 11 10 24 13 45 to 50 11 12 5 8 11 50 to 55 10 9 9 55 to 60 9 6 60 to 65 11 65 to 70 1 70 to 75 Missing 347 1184 19 1073 446 1129 744 321

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Figure 49: Monthly average inhalable particulate (PM10), 2010.

Figure 50: Monthly short-term peak inhalable particulate (PM10), 2010.

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Note: Data completeness requirements were not met at Chilliwack (T12) in the summer.

Figure 51: Diurnal trends inhalable particulate (PM10), 2010.

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Note: Data completeness requirements were not met at Langley (T27) in the summer and Richmond-Airport (T31) in the winter.

Figure 51: Cont. Diurnal trends inhalable particulate (PM10), 2010.

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Figure 52: Annual average inhalable particulate (PM10) trend, 1994 to 2010.

Figure 53: Short-term peak inhalable particulate (PM10) trend, 1994 to 2010.

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Non-Continuous PM10 Sampling

Historically non-continuous PM10 sampling was Figure 54 presents maximum 24-hour average conducted at five sites, however in 2010 two sites and annual average PM10 values from the non- ceased non-continuous PM10 sampling due to the continuous monitors operated in 2010. There were addition of a new Tsawwassen (T39) network no exceedances of Metro Vancouver’s PM10 station and the relocation of the Abbotsford Airport objectives. (T34) station.

At the non-continuous sites, 24-hour (daily) particulate matter samples are collected on filters every third or sixth day depending on the site. The sampling is scheduled as part of the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program. After collection, samples are weighed in a laboratory to determine the particulate concentrations during the sampling period.

60 Metro Vancouver 24-Hour Objective

50 )

3 24-hour Maximum 40 g/m Annual Average Metro Vancouver Annual Objective µ

30

20 Concentration (

10

0 White Rock Port Moody *Burnaby South

* Incomplete year of data available for Burnaby South, based on the sampling schedule for the station. The annual average shown is based on the average of all available data for 2010.

Figure 54: Non-continuous inhalable particulate (PM10) sampling, 2010.

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Total Reduced Sulphur (TRS)

Characteristics Monitoring Results Total reduced sulphur (TRS) compounds are a Figure 55 illustrates the TRS measurements in group of sulphurous compounds that occur 2010. Average levels continued to be near or naturally in swamps, bogs and marshes. They are below detectable limits. Peak levels during 2010, also created by industrial sources such as pulp indicated by the maximum 1-hour value, exceeded and paper mills, petroleum refineries and the Desirable Objective for a total of 41 hours at composting facilities. These compounds have Port Moody. The Acceptable Objective was also offensive odours similar to rotten eggs or rotten exceeded for 6 hours at the station. The cabbage, and at high concentrations can cause occurrences of high TRS are generally of a short eye irritation and nausea in some people. duration and occurred during the night. The majority of exceedances occurred in the winter. Sources Most public complaints regarding these odours Metro Vancouver TRS Objectives are associated with composting facilities and with µ 3 the petroleum refining and distribution industry 1-hour (desirable): 5 ppb (7 g/m ) located along Burrard Inlet. A few periodic 3 1-hour (acceptable):10 ppb (14 µg/m ) inquiries also occur as a result of natural emissions from such locations as Burns Bog in Delta.

20 1-Hour Maximum

Annual Average 15

1-Hour Acceptable Objective 10

1-Hour Desirable Objective Concentration (ppb) Concentration 5

0 Burnaby- Port Moody Burnaby- Burnaby-Capitol Burnaby-North Kensington Park Burmount Hill

Figure 55: Total reduced sulphur monitoring, 2010.

2010 Air Quality Report for the Lower Fraser Valley Page 66

Ammonia (NH3)

Characteristics Monitoring Results

Ammonia (NH3) can contribute to the formation of Continuous measurements of ammonia were fine particles when chemical reactions occur made at three sites in the monitoring network in between ammonia and other gases in the 2010. However, monitoring stopped at atmosphere including sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Abbotsford-Airport early in the year given the nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The resulting ammonium relocation of the station. The data for 2010 are nitrate and ammonium sulphate particles are presented in Figure 56, shown as the 1-hour efficient at scattering light and can impair visual air maximum and annual average ammonia quality with a white haze. concentrations. There are no applicable objectives for ammonia. Sources Continuous measurements of ammonia began in The largest contribution to ammonia in the LFV 2005. Due to the relatively short period for which comes from the agriculture sector. The majority of data are available, no clear year-to-year trend in ammonia emissions come from cattle, pig, and ammonia is evident. However, analysis does poultry housing, land spreading and storage of suggest that the highest concentrations generally manure, and fertilizer application. occur between in late spring to early fall.

900

800 1-Hour Maximum

700 Annual Average 600 500 400 300

Concentration (ppb) Concentration 200 100 0 Chilliwack Abbotsford-Mill Lake Abbotsford-Airport*

*Abbotsford Airport did not meet the data completeness requirements in 2010.

Figure 56: Ammonia monitoring, 2010

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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Characteristics Monitoring Results VOC refers to a combination of organic chemicals. In cooperation with the federal National Air A large number of chemicals are included in this Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program, canister group but each individual material is generally sampling of VOC has been conducted at several present at relatively low concentrations in air sites in the LFV since 1988. 24-hour (daily) compared to other common air contaminants. The sampling is conducted every sixth or twelfth day on gaseous VOC present in the air can originate from a national schedule. Canisters are then sent to the direct emissions and from volatilization (i.e. federal laboratory in Ottawa for analysis of up to changing into the gas phase) of substances in the 177 VOC. liquid or solid phase. Figure 57 shows the maximum 24-hour (daily) and Locally, some VOC can be pollutants found in average total VOC from all VOC monitoring urban smog and are precursors of other stations in 2010. The data indicates that the contaminants present in smog such as ozone and highest average VOC levels were measured at fine particulates. Some materials in this class (e.g. stations close to specific industrial sources near carbon tetrachloride) can contribute to depletion of Burrard Inlet. The highest 24-hour concentration the stratospheric ozone layer and may contribute was observed at Burnaby-North on November 4, to climate change. Other VOC (e.g. benzene) can 2010. pose a human health risk. Figure 58 provides data from 1991 to 2010 from Sources sampling undertaken at the Port Moody station as an example of the long-term trends in total VOC Sources of VOC in Metro Vancouver include, but concentrations. Both annual average and short- are not limited to emissions from the combustion of term peak VOC concentrations have decreased fossil fuels, industrial and residential solvents and since the early 1990s but in recent years paints, vegetation, agricultural activities, petroleum concentrations have remained relatively constant. refineries, fuel-refilling facilities, the burning of wood and other vegetative materials, and large In addition to the canister sampling, continuous industrial facilities. measurements of total hydrocarbons (THC) were made at two stations in 2009, Burnaby North (T24) VOC Objectives and Burnaby-Burmount (T22) (results not shown). Both of these are adjacent to petroleum industry Under the Canadian Environmental Protection facilities. Act (CEPA), some VOC are included in the Toxic Substances List.

Emissions of some VOC are limited by permits and industry-specific regulations within Metro Vancouver.

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Burnaby North

Burnaby-Burmount

Port Moody

Richmond-Airport

N.Vancouver-2nd Narrows

Burnaby South

Chilliwack Maximum Daily Total VOC

Average Total VOC Abbotsford-Airport

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 concentration (µg/m3)

Figure 57: Total VOC monitoring, 2010

500 Short-term Peak 450

) Average 3 400 g/m

µ 350

300

250

200

150

VOC Concentration ( Concentration VOC 100

50

0 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

Figure 58: Historical trend data for VOC measured at Rocky Point Park (Port Moody). 2010 Air Quality Report for the Lower Fraser Valley Page 69

Section D – Visual Air Quality Monitoring

Characteristics Monitoring Program Visual air quality refers to the ability, or inability, In order to assess visual air quality impairment in to see through the atmosphere as a result of air the LFV, Metro Vancouver, the FVRD, and contaminant emissions. Visual air quality does Environment Canada have jointly established a not refer to weather phenomenon such as visual air quality monitoring program. The data clouds, fog, rain or mist. The term ‘visual air collected for this program include: continuous quality’ was desired over visibility as it excludes measurements of NO2, PM2.5, light scattering and weather phenomenon. Visual air quality absorption, particulate speciation sampling and impairment occurs when light between an object images of views from different parts of the and the eye of an observer is scattered and/or airshed. absorbed by particles and gases in the air, causing views, such as the local mountains, to be An instrument called a nephelometer is used to partially or fully obscured by haze. continuously measure the light scattering by both particles and gases in the atmosphere in the LFV Visual air quality or haze has different In 2010, nephelometer measurements were appearances depending on the air contaminants made at four air quality stations in the LFV, in present. In parts of Metro Vancouver, haze can Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Burnaby and Richmond. have a brownish appearance because of the Aethalometers and nitrogen dioxide analyzers presence of nitrogen dioxide from emissions were also located at these sites. Analysis of the sources such as transportation. This is most data from the nephelometers, aethalometers and noticeable in the west, close to the more nitrogen dioxide analyzers indicates that urbanized areas. Further east in the LFV, scattering by particles had the most influence on impaired visual air quality is often caused by a average light extinction, and consequently visual white haze. Studies conducted in the 1990s (e.g. air quality impairment. An example of a good, REVEAL – REgional Visibility Experimental fair and poor day is shown in Figure 59 from Assessment in the Lower Fraser Valley) showed images taken at Abbotsford. that in the eastern parts of the LFV the major reason for visual air quality impairment was scattering and absorption of light by PM2.5 in the atmosphere.

Figure 59: Images from the Abbotsford visual air quality monitoring camera showing a good, fair and poor day, respectively.

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Eight automated digital cameras in six locations As part of the project, monitoring and reporting operated across Metro Vancouver and the enhancements are being made, and the causes FVRD, in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Pitt Meadows, and impacts of impaired visual air quality are Burnaby, Vancouver and Lions Bay, in 2010. being determined: Images were captured at 10 or 30 minute intervals along specific lines-of-sight with • Air contaminant measurements and recognizable topographical features at known modelling tools are being used to establish distances. These images have been analyzed which air contaminants and emissions with air contaminant data to relate visual range to sources contribute to visual air quality PM2.5 concentration and composition. impairment. • Images from the visual air quality Live images from the visual air quality monitoring monitoring cameras are being used to cameras can be viewed at: survey residents about sensitivity to visual air quality. Results from this and other http://www.clearairbc.ca/community/Pages/defaul studies indicate that people perceive t.aspx degraded visual air quality at air contaminant concentrations lower than Pilot Project Metro Vancouver’s air quality objective for Metro Vancouver is a partner in the BC Visibility PM2.5. Coordinating Committee (BCVCC) with the FVRD, Environment Canada, Health Canada, the BC Ministry of Environment and the City of Kelowna. The BCVCC has initiated a pilot project to develop a visual air quality management strategy for the LFV.

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Section E – Meteorological Measurements

Characteristics many factors responsible for visual air quality degradation. Meteorology is a major influence on air quality and visual air quality. Factors which affect air quality Metro Vancouver’s meteorological data are made concentrations and our understanding of air available to numerous agencies including pollutant transportation include wind speed, wind Environment Canada, which aid weather and air direction, air temperature, incoming solar radiation quality forecasting in the region. (sunshine), precipitation, atmospheric stability and humidity. Meteorological measurements are also important in forecasting air quality.

Monitoring Program Various meteorological parameters are observed as part of the LFV air quality monitoring network (see Section B Table 1):

• Wind speed and direction observations allows characterization of pollutant transport and dispersion and is used to understand the Meteorological Observations relationships between pollutant sources and Table 9 shows the air temperatures observed at measurements at air quality monitoring stations. each Metro Vancouver station in 2010. In the table the average temperature is given along with • Air temperature and incoming solar radiation the lowest and highest hourly air temperature measurements help determine the potential for observed during the year. Air temperatures are ozone formation during the summer. Ozone milder near the water and exhibit a greater range concentrations are dependant on sunshine to inland. As seen historically, the Hope station cause photochemical reactions among air observed both the highest and the lowest air pollutants. Higher air temperatures are temperatures during the year. necessary to assist these reactions which ultimately increase concentrations. Air Figure 60 displays the seasonal variation of air temperature measurements throughout the temperatures throughout the year as observed by network can also indicate the presence of a Metro Vancouver. The hourly maximum and temperature inversion, which confines pollutants minimum, daily maximum and minimum, and close to the ground. average temperatures are given with the range in values from the stations shown as bands for each • Precipitation can wash pollutants out of the month. Also shown in Figure 60 are the 30-year atmosphere and helps to explain differences in climate normals (1971-2000) for Environment air quality from one part of the region to another. Canada’s Vancouver International Airport and In addition precipitation data are used by Metro Hope Airport stations. Vancouver’s Wastewater Collection and Watershed Management functions. As evident in Figure 60, 2010 began warmer than normal. The data in 2010 suggest that • Humidity is an important factor in the formation temperatures recorded in January and February and growth of visibility reducing particles, and its were considerably warmer than the 30 year measurement is a key to understanding the average. January and February experienced

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much higher averages, daily maximums and daily Alouette Lake. Langley and Abbotsford both minimums than normal. The timing of the exhibit predominant winds from the south, a result unseasonal warm weather was unfortunate given of their location in the LFV. Chilliwack and Hope that the LFV was hosting the 2010 Winter experience similar wind flow patterns, with strong Olympics at the time. east-west components driven by the channelling of winds in the narrower portion of the Fraser Figure 61 shows the precipitation totals for the Valley. year at each monitoring station. The greatest precipitation was observed near the local Table 9: Air temperature in LFV, 2010. mountains. Figure 62 displays the seasonal variation as observed by Metro Vancouver (shown Hourly Hourly Annual as a grey band). Historical 30-year climate Station Minimum Maximum Average normals (1971-2000) obtained from Environment (oC) (oC) (oC) Canada are also shown in Figure 62 for Vancouver-Kitsilano -8.2 32.5 11.3 Vancouver International Airport and Hope Airport. Burnaby-Kensington Park -8.6 32.6 11.0 Port Moody -8.3 31.3 11.2 Chilliwack -10.2 34.6 10.9 Overall in 2010, precipitation amounts observed North Delta -10.1 32.4 10.6 throughout the LFV were lower than normal. July, Burnaby Mountain -10.6 30.5 9.8 October and November were drier than normal Surrey East -9.3 32.9 11.1 while September was wetter than normal. More Richmond South -8.4 32 11.1 precipitation was received in September Burnaby South -9.9 32.6 10.5 compared with October, a trend that is normally Pitt Meadows -9.3 32.4 9.9 Burnaby-Burmount -9.3 32.9 11.4 reversed. Burnaby-Capitol Hill -10 30.1 9.7 Burnaby North -7.8 31.3 11.7 Wind patterns vary between stations as shown by N. Vancouver-Mahon Park -8.8 32 11.3 the frequency distributions in Figure 63. The Langley -9.6 33.2 10.3 distributions are shown in a “wind rose” format, Hope -11.5 36.5 10.6 which is essentially a bar chart in a polar format. Maple Ridge -8.9 34.1 10.9 The direction of the bar indicates the direction Richmond-Airport -9.1 28.9 10.1 Coquitlam -8.9 33 11.2 from which the wind is blowing, the colour Abbotsford-Mill Lake -9.1 34.6 10.8 indicates the wind speed class and the length of Horseshoe Bay -6.8 31.4 10.1 the bar indicates the frequency of occurrence.

Figure 63 shows observed wind roses for selected stations including: Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford- Mill Lake, Langley, Pitt Meadows, Burnaby North, Richmond-Airport and Horseshoe Bay. The patterns shown reflect the predominant winds in those areas. Richmond exhibits a predominant easterly wind with a smaller component from the west, and very little wind from either the north or south. Horseshoe Bay shows wind patterns aligned with Howe Sound with a strong north- south component.

Burnaby North shows several northerly wind components along with a predominant east-north east component. This wind pattern is reflective of the North Shore mountain wind flows and drainage of Indian Arm. Pitt Meadows shows a somewhat similar pattern with predominant directions from the valleys of Pitt Lake and

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Note: Metro Vancouver stations are shown as colour bands and Environment Canada 30-year climate normals are shown as dotted lines.

Figure 60: Monthly air temperatures in the LFV, 2010.

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2000

1500

1000

500 Annual (mm) Precipitation Total

0

Figure 61: Precipitation totals in the LFV, 2010.

Note: The range of values observed at Metro Vancouver stations are shown as a grey band and Environment Canada climate normals are shown as dotted lines.

Figure 62: Total monthly precipitation in the LFV, 2010.

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Note: The direction of the bar indicates the direction from which the wind is blowing, the colour indicates the wind speed class and the length of the bar indicates the frequency of occurrence.

Figure 63: Representative wind roses throughout the LFV, 2010.

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Section F – Specialized Monitoring Initiatives

Specialized air quality monitoring studies complement the fixed monitoring network. These specialized studies typically allow for characterization of air quality at finer spatial scales, such as at the neighbourhood scale, and investigate air quality problems on the local scale. The fixed monitoring network may not address local scale issues and therefore performing specialized local air quality studies is an important component to characterizing air quality in the LFV.

A Mobile Air Monitoring Unit (MAMU), capable of monitoring gaseous pollutants, particulate matter and meteorology, is utilized across the region to conduct specialized air quality studies. In addition to this mobile air quality station, Metro Vancouver utilizes two smaller mobile units along with several portable air quality monitors.

Several planned specialized studies occurred in 2010. A new study in East Vancouver was conducted along with the continuation of three other studies: in the Burrard Inlet areas of Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver; in New Westminster; and in Surrey.

In early 2010, a local monitoring study to measure The Burrard Inlet Area Local Air Quality Study the effects of wood smoke emissions was (BIALAQS) was initiated in 2008 with air quality conducted in East Vancouver. In a measurements collected until the summer of 2010 neighbourhood in which residential wood at numerous locations. This two year study was burning was known to occur, fine particulate large in scope with over 15 monitoring locations to

(PM2.5) was measured along with a wood smoke investigate the air quality in the Burrard Inlet area. tracer (levoglucosan). In 2010 MAMU continued to be deployed at In New Westminster, monitoring was continued in several locations in Surrey to assess the 2010 to characterize air quality in several adequacy of existing stations in the Surrey area. locations in the city. Monitoring equipment The existing fixed monitoring stations are located deployed in 2009 continued to take in the Clayton area of Surrey and in North Delta. measurements at several locations including, the Sapperton community and a near road-side location on Front Street. In addition, MAMU was used to make measurements at the City Hall.

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Section G – Monitoring Network Operations

Network History In response to recommendations in the 2008 LFV Air Quality Monitoring Network review, locations Air monitoring in the region began in 1949, when for new stations in the FVRD have been identified the City of Vancouver established a dustfall in Mission and Agassiz. Working with government monitoring network. Monitoring for total partners, Metro Vancouver plans to have suspended particulate was added in later years. operational stations in these locations in 2012. Following the Pollution Control Act (1967), provincial air quality programs initiated monitoring Other monitoring network partnerships: of dustfall and total suspended particulate in other areas of the region. The Vancouver International Airport Authority provides partial funding for the Vancouver In 1972, provincial and municipal air quality International Airport station (T31). responsibilities were transferred to Metro Vancouver, including operation of air quality Chevron Canada Ltd. provides funding for the monitoring programs. In 1998, a Memorandum of Burnaby North (T24) and Capitol Hill (T23) Understanding established cooperative stations. management of the monitoring network by both BC Hydro provides funding for three network Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional stations, including Port Moody (T9), Burnaby District. Mountain (T14) and Surrey East (T15). Continuous monitoring of gaseous pollutants Kinder Morgan Canada provides funding for began in 1972 under the auspices of the federal the Burnaby-Burmount (T22) station. National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program. Several new stations were established Port Metro Vancouver provides funding for the to measure SO2, O3, CO, NOX and VOC. Over the newest air quality station, Tsawwassen (T39) years, stations and equipment have been added in Delta which became fully operational in or removed in response to changing air quality 2010. management priorities. Mobile Air Monitoring Units and portable instruments provide added Metro Vancouver continues to operate and flexibility to carry out measurements at many maintain the monitoring stations and equipment, locations. Some monitoring is part of co-operative and to collect real-time data from the regional programs with industry and other governments. monitoring network on behalf of all partners.

Monitoring Network Partners Federal Government Several government and industry partners Metro Vancouver co-operates with the federal contribute to the on-going management and government by providing field services for three operation of the Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality major nation-wide sampling programs under the Monitoring Network. The government partners National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) include: program.

• Fraser Valley Regional District • Canister sampling of VOC has been conducted • Environment Canada in the LFV since 1988. The federal government • BC Ministry of Environment supplies the canisters and other sampling apparatus with Metro Vancouver staff providing field exchange of canisters, calibrations and

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routine maintenance of equipment. Canisters are Database then forwarded to the federal laboratory in Ottawa, for analysis of up to 177 VOC. Data from continuous analyzers are transmitted to a central computer using dedicated telephone • A second program collects dichotomous lines, radio links or the internet. The computer particulate samples at three sites. This long-term calculates hourly averages for each analyzer, from program separates PM10 samples into two size the one minute data, for long-term data storage. fractions: 10 to 2.5 µm (coarse), and under 2.5 For a measurement to be considered valid and be µm (fine). These samples are collected every stored for further use, at least 75% of the relevant third or sixth day, and returned to Ottawa for data must be available. Calibration data is also detailed chemical analysis. stored on the computer.

• In 2003 a PM2.5 speciation sampling program Metro Vancouver completed installation of a new was initiated. Particulate speciation samplers air quality data acquisition system and database were added to the Burnaby South and to support the collection and reporting of air Abbotsford Airport stations. These samplers quality data. The new system replaced the legacy collect PM2.5 samples every third day in specially system during the summer of 2010, and vastly designed cartridges which incorporate a series improves efficiency at both the operational and of filters and denuders. The samples are then reporting levels. forwarded to the federal laboratory in Ottawa where they are analyzed for various particulate species.

Quality Assurance and Control Air quality monitoring data is constantly reviewed and validated. Technicians perform weekly inspections and routine maintenance of the monitoring equipment and stations. In addition, instrument technicians perform major repairs to any instrument in the network, as required. Through telemetry and the central computer, technicians can check on instruments remotely prior to site visits. This system also allows for calibration of the instruments either automatically or upon demand. Automatic ‘zero/span’ checks are conducted by the computer on every fourth day for most instruments.

Portable calibration equipment is used to evaluate equipment performance. Continuous analyzers are subject to a performance audit and multi-point calibration every fourth month. In addition, all other instruments and samplers in the network are subjected to annual and/or biannual calibrations. All reference materials and quality control procedures meet or exceed Environment Canada and/or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements.

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