Air Quality
This page covers the following topics:
Overview
Protecting the quality of our air is an important part of Delta's efforts to mitigate climate change. Metro Vancouver is responsible for regulating air quality in the region, including Delta. Through a regional Air Quality Management Plan, specific goals and objectives are set with the purpose of improving air quality in the airshed. The following link provides information on Metro Vancouver's role with respect to air quality: http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/air/Pages/default.aspx.
As part of its role in air quality, Metro Vancouver operates a series of permanent air quality monitoring stations throughout the Lower Fraser Valley that collect information on the level of pollutants in our air. One of these stations is located in North Delta. For more information on the air quality monitoring network go to: http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/air/monitoring/Pages/default.aspx.
[ back to top ]
Air Quality Complaints
Metro Vancouver Regulation and Enforcement Division maintains a 24 hour Air Quality Complaint line. Complaints received and addressed by Metro Vancouver staff under the authority of the regional air quality bylaw include odour complaints, concerns regarding visible emissions from point sources such as industrial or commercial operations, and wood smoke complaints. The 24 hour complaint line is (604) 436-6777. General enquiries relating to air quality issues can also be emailed to regulationenforcement@metrovancouver.org
Delta Air Quality Monitoring Study
In 2004, due to ongoing air quality concerns in the Ladner and Tsawwassen areas, Metro Vancouver began monitoring three sites with their Mobile Air Monitoring Unit (MAMU). Each of these sites was sampled quarterly, for two weeks at a time for approximately two years. The places where MAMU was located include:
- a site at a Delta drainage pumpstation located at 4790 42A Avenue
- a site at Delta Hospital
- a site on the Tsawwassen First Nations (TFN) land between the Ferry Causeway and Deltaport Way.
The following document titled Delta Air Quality Monitoring Study June 2004 - March 2006 provides the results of this monitoring study:
- Delta Air Quality Monitoring Study June 2004 - March 2006 { pdf 1.24MB }
Air Quality Health Index
As a joint venture between Health Canada, Environment Canada, and the BC Ministry of Environment, the Air Quality Health Index is now active in 14 BC communities including all of Metro Vancouver. The index provides current readings on the four key components of air quality that affect health and also forecasts the air quality over the next 24 hours. This index will help Delta residents make informed decisions about exposure to outdoor air during periods of poor air quality. To view Delta's current air quality health index rating please visit www.airhealthbc.ca
Some documents on this page are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader® PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader® you may download it for free by clicking on the link to the right. [ back to top ]