Ammonia (NH₃):

Ammonia is a colourless alkaline gas. It is a precursor to fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. In low concentrations it has a penetrating pungent sharp odour. In high concentrations, it causes a smothering sensation when inhaled

Biogenic:

Produced by actions of living organisms.

Biogenic Emissions:

For inventory purposes, biogenic emissions refer to emissions from vegetation for VOC and to emissions from soil for NO_x.

Carbon Monoxide (CO):

Also known as carbonic oxide, CO is a colourless, odourless, very toxic gas at standard conditions. CO is a product of imperfect combustion of fossil fuels. It is also an effective reducing agent in various metal-smelting operations and is also encountered for the production of several synthesis gases.

Category:

A group of economic sectors that, for emission inventory purposes, permit an identification of the contribution from broadly related activities to be made. The categories used in the 1995 inventory include: Industrial Sources, Non-Industrial Fuel Combustion, Transportation, Incineration, Miscellaneous and Open Sources.

Criteria Air Contaminant (CAC):

There are seven air pollutants that are considered Criteria Air Contaminants (CAC) that are emitted predominantly to the air. The seven contaminants are Total Particulate Matter, Particulate Matter with a diameter less than 10 microns, Particulate Matter with a diameter less than 2.5 microns, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Sulphur Dioxide, and Volatile Organic Compounds. A brief description of each CAC is provided in this glossary.

Emission Factor (EF):

An estimate or statistical average of the rate at which a contaminant is released to the atmosphere as a result of some activity, such as combustion or industrial production, divided by the level of that activity. The Emission Factor (EF), therefore, relates the average quantity of each contaminant emitted according to an appropriate base quantity. EFs are usually expressed as a weight of contaminant divided by a unit weight, volume, distance or duration of associated activity that emits the pollutant (e.g., kg of SO₂ emitted per tonne of coal burned). EFs are usually obtained from data of varying degrees of accuracy and may be presented for either uncontrolled sources or facilities having air pollution control devices in place.

EPA:

The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States. It is the U.S. federal equivalent of Environment Canada.

Fugitive Emissions:

Air pollution derived from human activities that do not emanate from a particular point, such as an exhaust pipe or stack. Roadway dust and VOCs from refinery valves are examples of fugitive emissions.

Grid:

Identifies a geographical zone for reporting area source emissions. The grid squares used in this report are 100 by 100 km.

Heavy-Duty Vehicle (Truck):

A motor vehicle that is rated at more than 3856 kg (8500 lbs.) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating [includes Heavy-Duty Gasoline Trucks and Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles].

Light-Duty Vehicle:

A motor vehicle that is designed primarily for transportation of persons and has a designated seating capacity of not more than 12 persons [Includes Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles and Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles].

Light-Duty Truck:

A vehicle that is rated at less than 3856 kg (8500 lbs.) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or less, that has a curb weight of 2722 kg (6000 lbs.) or less and a basic vehicle frontal area of 4.2 m² (45 square feet) or less and that is:

Marine Transportation:

This category includes ships, motor boats, and other vessels used for navigational purposes in water.

Mobile Source:

A segment of the area source classification representing transportation sources such as wheeled vehicles, ships, aircraft and railroad locomotives.

Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x):

Consists of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and are reported as NO_x on a NO₂ mass basis.

Open Sources:

Open Sources are defined as sources that emit air contaminants over large geographical areas, primarily in a stationary but non-point source manner, and they are diffuse in nature. In general, these emissions are dispersed over too great an area to allow control by conventional equipment that requires enclosures or ducting to be effective.

Particulate Matter:

Any aerosol that is released to the atmosphere in either solid or liquid form. [Includes Particulates].

Total Particulate Matter (TPM)

Any particulate matter with a diameter less than 100 microns.

Particulate Matter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM₁₀)

Any particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 10 microns.

Particulate Matter less than or equal to 2.5 microns (PM_2.5)

Any particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microns.

Point Sources:

Any stationary source that usually releases emissions through stacks at elevated heights for which individual source records are maintained in the inventory and for which annual emissions exceed a specified cut-off level. While no designated cut-off level was used by the Pollution Data Branch to compile the 1995 emissions inventory, the provinces did employ such techniques. The cut-off level, in tonnes of emissions, varied from province to province.

Sector:

A grouping of similar industries, or other entities that are involved with common activities, such as petroleum refining or aluminium production. In many instances, a Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is used to describe an industry or activity for purposes of facilitating the collection and assimilation of data relating to the establishment. These data can then be compiled on a Database Management System to accurately record emission sources in a particular sector.

Source:

Any structure, facility, equipment or operation (or combination thereof), located on a property, which is owned, controlled or operated by one or more persons. In many instances, a Source Classification Code (SCC) is used which specifically identifies the source or operational process and defines the units of activity level. Emissions may be calculated by multiplying the emission factor for each SCC and the activity level.

Sulphur Oxides (SO_x):

This refers to all gaseous oxides of sulphur. Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) is a gas for which national and provincial air quality objectives and regulations have been promulgated. In some cases, emissions may contain small amounts of sulphur trioxide (SO₃) and sulphurous and sulphuric acid vapour. However, particulate or aerosol sulphate is excluded from emissions totals and is included under particulate matter. Sulphur oxides is expressed as sulphur dioxides (mass basis).

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

Volatile Organic Compounds refer to photochemically reactive hydrocarbons, excluding compounds such as methane, ethane, acetone, methylene chloride, methyl chloroform and several chlorinated organics. Annex to the Notice of Intent to recommend that ozone and its precursors (nitrogen oxides [nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide] and volatile organic compounds) be added to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 under subsection 90(1) of the Act, published on June 9, 2001, in the Canada Gazette, Part 1.