The poor air quality has been credited for the moon over Burnaby and New Westminster to look red Friday night. Photograph By KIMIKO KARPOFF/CONTRIBUTED
Metro Vancouver has put out an Air Quality Advisory for the eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley after testing revealed high levels of ground-level ozone that are expected to linger for a few days.
"This advisory is for ground-level ozone, however there is a noticeable haze in the region which is due to a layer of wildfire smoke over the South Coast from distant wildfires burning in Eurasia and Alaska, as well as a bog fire in Richmond. Wildfire smoke concentrations are not causing particulate matter objectives to be exceeded," said a Metro Vancouver news release.
"Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly into the air. It is formed when nitrogen oxides (pollutants emitted when fuels are burned) and volatile organic compounds (emitted from solvents) react in the air in the presence of sunlight. The highest levels of ground-level ozone are generally observed between mid-afternoon and early evening on summer days."
Metro Vancouver is warning local residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the periods around mid-afternoon to early evening, "when ozone levels are highest." Exposure is considered particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as lung or heart disease and asthma.
This advisory is expected to continue until there is a change in the current weather.
Information about real-time air quality readings for Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley communities and potential health impacts can be found at www.airmap.ca and www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air.
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