Environment and Conservation
Health and Community Services
December 24, 2014
Protecting the Health and Well-Being of Communities and Families
Air Quality Assessment Tools Available in Five Newfoundland and Labrador Communities
The Provincial Government continues to deliver on its commitment to invest in a healthy environment by providing online Air Quality Health Index data in five regions of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Earlier this year, Labrador City joined Corner Brook, Burin, St. John’s and Grand Falls-Windsor, as the fifth location for air quality assessment data collection in the province.
“The addition of Labrador City demonstrates government’s commitment to promoting a clean, sustainable environment by providing the tools needed to give residents access to real-time air quality monitoring and assessment. This information allows people who live in the Labrador City area to evaluate the impact current air quality is having on their health and well-being and use that information to plan activities.”
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation
Working in partnership with the Iron Ore Company of Canada, the air quality monitoring data for Labrador City is being used to generate hourly index readings in the region. The information is then available online: www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_protection/science/airmon/labradorcity.html.
“Our government supports air quality programs designed to protect human health and the environment. Residents of Labrador City can now make informed decisions regarding the protection of their health by limiting short-term exposure to air pollution and adjusting activity levels during increased levels of air pollution.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
Current hourly Air Quality Health Index readings across Canada, including maximum forecast values provided for select locations, can be found at www.ec.gc.ca/cas-aqhi/default.asp?Lang=En.
QUICK FACTS
- Air Quality Health Index data assessment is now available online for Labrador City, Corner Brook, Burin, St. John’s and Grand Falls-Windsor.
- The Air Quality Health Index is a scale designed to help residents understand what the air quality in their community means to their health.
- The Air Quality Health Index is calculated based on the relative risks of a combination of common air pollutants (ground level ozone, particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide) that are known to harm human health.
- The assessment tool was developed by the provinces in conjunction with Health Canada and Environment Canada.
- 30 -
Media Contacts:
| Deborah Thomas Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 728-8092 deborahthomas@gov.nl.ca |
Hugh Donnan Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 725-6511 hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca |
2014 12 24 11:05 a.m.