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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EXPANSION OF NEW BRUNSWICK SMOG FORECAST PROGRAM Moncton, NB - May 3, 1999 - Canadians in New Brunswick will now receive more information on smog to help them plan their summer activities. The New Brunswick Smog Forecast program, which began as a pilot project in Greater Saint John in 1997, has been expanded to include all of southern New Brunswick. The expansion was announced today by federal Environment Minister Christine S. Stewart and New Brunswick Environment Minister Gene Devereux. The smog forecast for southern New Brunswick will be issued twice daily until the end of October. The NB Smog Forecast provides information on expected levels of smog, ranging from good to very poor, over a period of 48 hours. Ground-level ozone is the principal component of smog and is the most frequent cause of poor air quality incidents throughout southern New Brunswick. Strong scientific evidence points to serious health risks from smog, including increased hospital admissions and premature death. Recent health and environmental studies in Canada and the United States confirm that adverse effects from ozone exposure can occur at concentrations much lower than previously thought. During the summer months, smog episodes frequently result from long-range transport of pollutants coming from the heavily industrialized regions of eastern North America. Local weather patterns and topography are also key factors in ground-level ozone behavior. "The daily smog forecast will help people, especially those with respiratory problems, plan their activities", said Minister Stewart. " My goals are to keep Canadians informed of environmental conditions and also to implement measures giving them cleaner air to breathe." Environment Canada is responsible for the production and dissemination of the NB Smog Forecast and Advisory, while the New Brunswick Department of Environment monitors the pollutants in the atmosphere that compose ground-level ozone. Both meteorological conditions and actual data collected from various air quality monitors are required to produce a reliable smog forecast. In addition, the New Brunswick Lung Association has been an important partner from the onset of the pilot project and has committed their Association to be an integral part of the expansion. "The Province is pleased to be able to assist in making this service available to a greater number of New Brunswickers, by providing both continued technical and educational support," said New Brunswick Environment Minister, Gene Devereux. "This program is another example of effective partnerships between federal and provincial governments to help promote healthy communities for Canadians", said Minister Stewart. "Smog warnings will be made available to the media and will be posted on Environment Canada’s Green Lane website as part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to connect Canadians with useful information about the environment." Among the clean air measures undertaken by the Government of Canada are proposed regulations reducing the level of sulphur in gasoline by 90% by 2005, and negotiations over the next year with the United States to reduce pollutants that cause smog. Up to 90 per cent of the ozone component of smog in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and about 50 per cent in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor originates in the United States. In addition to the daily smog forecast, a special Smog/Health Advisory bulletin will be issued when conditions dictate. Such a bulletin, similar to other weather warnings, relays additional environmental and health information to the public when smog levels deteriorate to the "poor" category. Residents of southern New Brunswick can access the NB Smog Forecast through one of the following Environment Canada contact points: Recorded weather information telephone lines: Fredericton and area (506) 451-6001 The Atlantic Green Lane Internet web site: http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/ozone.html The NB Smog Forecast may also be provided by media outlets as part of their regular weather bulletins. -30- For further information, please contact: Brigitte Nolet Environment Canada New Brunswick Technical Spokespersons: Environment Canada New Brunswick |
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