f)
. L
Po W/ Greater Vancouver Regional District Telephone (604) 432-6200
. a ! 4330 Kingsway, Bumaby, British Columbia. Canada V5H 4G8 Fax (604) 432-625]

Air Quality and Source Controi Department - Tel (604) 436-6700 Fax (604) 436-6707

August 23, 1990 File: 702.5

Fraser Information Society 7 :
11739-223rd Street :
Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 5X4

Attn: Mr. Don Mallais res
CEED Centre Coordinator a

Dear Mr. Mailais: oe pe i

Re: Letter on Tropospheric Ozone Forecasting dated 26 July, 1990

Oo oe - as A copy of your letter of 26 July, 14°, to the Minister of the Environment (and related ed
oe cn attachments) was forwarded to us for comment by Mayor Louis Sekora of Coquitlam (his letter |
OP es dated 8 August, 1990). -

The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) is responsible for administering provincial et
air polluticn regulations within its geographic boundaries. As you are probably aware, air
quality in these areas not within the GVRD is the responsibility of the B.C. Ministry of
Environment. Within the Lower Fraser Valley airshed, the GVRD and 8.C. Ministry of

Environment cooperate in the monitoring of ambient air quality with each jurisdiction en a ct
responsible for the evaluation ard analysis of that data which emanates from air quality
Stations in their respective geographic areas.

Air quality within the GVRD varies widely dependent upon geographic location, meteorological ee
factors, time of day and time of year. During the summer months, the "pollutant of concern pops

Ce) is ozone, which is formed when oxides of nitrogen react with reactive hydrocarbons (both | Do, a
wd emitted by automobiles) in the presence of sunlight (and heat) to create ozone. During the . an
. winter months, other criteria pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon : "
“4 monoxide or fine particulate (i.e.; measured as coefficient of haze) tend to predominate as the

a “pollutants of concern”.

Over the past few summers, the GVRD has maintained an “adverse air quality monitoring | >
program” designed to alert appropriate authorities when air quality (generally due to ozone) . Be _—
reaches “poor" levels. Whenstherairsquality reaches tgmiyspooretheGVRD immediatly Alans ee
theRubligsthrocgianexaeglz.. In addition, the GVRD regularily informs the public what it may a

do to assist in maintaining satisfactory air quality during times when the chance of poorer air |

quality is high due to prevailing meteorological conditions.

apetnee te eis cto deere paflcndsise tae elnateen ted

Fee

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