Month: October 2016

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) numbers from Fort Air Partnership’s new air monitoring station located in the heart of Gibbons show that local air quality is a low risk to health the majority of time.

Of the 2,856 hours of monitoring done since the end of May, AQHI readings at Gibbons were in the low risk category 99.16% (2,832 hours) of the time and only 0.84% (24 hours) of the time in the moderate risk category.

According to the Alberta government, moderate risk means those with respiratory concerns should consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if they are experiencing symptoms. It’s recommended that the general population continue with normal outdoor activities unless a person is experiencing symptoms such as a cough or throat irritation.

More information regarding the performance of the Gibbons station will be presented at the Heartland Community Information Evening being held on October 20 at the Gibbons Cultural Centre.

The Alberta Airsheds Council (AAC) continues to work collaboratively with Alberta Environment and Parks’ Monitoring and Science Division to develop a province-wide air monitoring system. Major goals include clarifying roles and responsibilities for all organizations involved in air quality monitoring in Alberta, and establishing a mechanism for sustainable funding for ambient air monitoring going forward.

AAC is advocating for the continuation of many aspects of the Airshed model that FAP and other Airsheds currently have in place – a collaborative, consensus-based, regional and multi-stakeholder focus that has proven to be very successful. Airsheds are also connected to the communities in which they operate and are therefore able to provide a local perspective to a province-wide air monitoring system.

Fort Air Partnership’s Executive Director Nadine Blaney is co-chair of the AAC, a not-for-profit society that represents all nine Airsheds in Alberta.