HALIFAX, May 3, 2004 – The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, today announced that the Air Quality Forecast for Atlantic Canada, formerly known as the “Smog Forecast” has resumed and will run twice daily until the end of October.

“Outdoor air pollution can be a powerful irritant, especially for the elderly, for children and for those who suffer from cardiovascular or respiratory illness,” said Minister Anderson. “Air quality forecasts help Canadians make informed decisions that can protect their health when they are planning their daily activities.”

Atlantic Canada is one of four areas in Canada susceptible to elevated concentrations of summer smog. In the Atlantic region it is primarily due to the long-range transport of air pollutants from central Canada and the north-eastern part of the United States. These pollutants, in the presence of sunshine, can result in unhealthy levels of ground-level-ozone. For example, a pollutant released from the tailpipe of a vehicle in downtown Boston today, could reach Atlantic Canada tomorrow, resulting in poorer air quality.

Access to the Air Quality Forecast is available through the regular media outlets, via Environment Canada's state-of-the-art Web site at: http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/airquality/ or by calling Environment Canada's local telephone information lines which can be found in the blue pages of local telephone directories.

Environment Canada also offers e-Smog Plus, a free service which provides subscribers automated e-mail delivery of local and regional air quality forecasts and advisories. Subscribers are able to personalize the suite of air quality forecasts and information to suit their individual requirements.

Products available include:

• Daily Air Quality Forecast - a two-day forecast of ground-level ozone concentrations issued at 5:00 AM ADT (5:30 AM NDT) and 4:00 PM ADT/NDT
• Air Quality & Health Advisory - advance warning of the threat of "poor" air quality
• Special Air Quality Statements - warning and/or clarification regarding "extraordinary" air quality events. The smoke in the Maritimes from the Quebec forest fires during July 2002, would be an example.
• To subscribe to e-Smog Plus, simply visit Environment Canada's Web site and click on the e-Smog Plus link.

The Air Quality Program is a collaborative effort whose partners include the provincial Environment and Health Departments, the provincial Lung Associations and in New Brunswick, the Greater Saint John Citizen's Coalition for Clean Air.

The Government of Canada is committed to improving air quality in Canada and reducing the health and environmental effects of air pollution. Working in partnership with all levels of government and key stakeholders, Environment Canada has introduced a comprehensive Clean Air Agenda to reduce harmful air emissions from trans-boundary pollution, the transportation sector and industrial sector. Under this agenda, the department has introduced a 10-year Federal Agenda on Cleaner Vehicles, Engines and Fuels; upgraded the nation-wide air pollution-monitoring network; and expanded the National Pollutant Release Inventory to include more air contaminants. These actions will contribute to better air quality for all Canadians.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Howe
Air Quality Program Manager
(506) 451-6015