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Air Quality Study
MacAleese Lane, Moncton, NB

Air pollutants of interest

The following air pollutants are measured continuously within the Department of Environment's air quality monitoring trailer while in the MacAleese Lane area and results are transmitted electronically on an hourly basis to Fredericton. Results are reported as 1-hour and 24-hour averages and compared to New Brunswick or national air quality objectives.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2), measured in units of parts per billion (ppb), is emitted when sulphur containing fossil fuels are combusted.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), measured in units of ppb, is produced when nitrogen, primarily in air, is combined with oxygen during fuel combustion. Motor vehicles and engines of all sizes are sources of NO2 in addition to industrial combustion processes.

Total reduced sulphur (TRS), measured in units of ppb, is a mixture of odour causing gases contained sulphur in its reduced form (without oxygen). Often included in this mix is hydrogen sulphide (H2S) which has a characteristic rotten-egg smell.

Ozone (O3), measured in units of ppb, is not formed directly from combustion sources but instead is formed in the atmosphere as a result of atmospheric chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and VOC's (see below) in the presence of sunlight. It is a major constituent of smog and in New Brunswick high levels are often associated with prevailing winds in the warmer months of the year bringing transboundary pollution from the US and other areas of Canada.

Carbon monoxide (CO), measured in units of parts per million (ppm), is a highly toxic, odourless gas that is formed as a result of the incomplete combustion or oxidation of fuels such as wood and gasoline.

Total suspended particulate (TSP), measured in units of µg/m3 , refers to particles that are suspended in air and are up to approximately 40 microns in diameter and include PM2.5 and coarser particles. In addition to sources listed above for PM2.5, additional sources of TSP include dusty roadways and industries, rock crushing and handling operations and agriculture. The technology for this measurement is "E-BAM". For the time being TSP results are not available in real-time but are downloaded from the site periodically.

Fine particulate (PM2.5), measured in units of micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), refers to extremely fine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and consequently are associated with a number of health effects including premature mortality. Levels of PM2.5 rise in smoke and haze conditions. The particles are up to 2.5 microns (µm) in diameter (the diameter of a human hair is about 70 µm) and sources include internal combustion engines, power plants, industries, woodstoves, and forest fires. "BAM-1020" is currently the technology being used for PM2.5 measurement in the mobile.

Inhalable particulate (PM10), measured in units of micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), refers to those particles up to 10 microns in diameter, including PM2.5. Sources of PM10, in addition to sources that contribute to PM2.5, are dust from paved and unpaved roads (e.g. dust, particles of tire wear and brake linings), crushed rock and other crustal material. The technology employed for this study to measure PM10 is “E-BAM”.

Additional air pollutants being measured on a periodic basis are described below. The samples require laboratory analysis and thus results are not available for several months after collection.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic chemical compounds that easily vaporize into the atmosphere. Sources include oil refineries, gasoline distribution, solvent usage, motor vehicles, asphalt paving, forests and forest fires.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH's) are complex organic compounds that exist as aromatic or cyclic rings at the molecular level. Sources of PAHs include wood stoves, asphalt paving plants, oil refineries, forest fires, BBQ's, cigarette smoke, wood preservative (especially when burned).

Information
arrowAir pollutants of interest
arrowLocation of Air Quality Monitoring Study near MacAleese Lane, Moncton, NB
arrowMonitoring update, September 11, 2009
arrowHealth Effects Information
Weekly Summary
arrowNovember 30-December 6, 2009
arrowNovember 23-29, 2009
arrowNovember 16-22, 2009
arrowNovember 9-15, 2009
arrowNovember 2-8, 2009
arrowOctober 26- November 1, 2009
arrowOctober 19-25, 2009
arrowOctober 12-18, 2009
arrowOctober 5-11, 2009
arrowSeptember 28- October 4, 2009
arrowSeptember 21-27, 2009
arrowSeptember 14-20, 2009
arrowSeptember 7-13, 2009
arrowAugust 31-September 6, 2009
arrowAugust 24-30, 2009
Monthly data
arrowMarch-October, 2009
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