GUIDANCE ON APPLICATION OF PROVINCIAL

    AIR QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PM2.5



      Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport

                  June 2009
                            Acknowledgements

The preparation of this document would not have been possible without the

valuable input of Ministry of Environment staff in Victoria and the regional

offices.
        Guidance on Application of Provincial Air Quality Criteria for PM2.5



1. Purpose
To provide further guidance on the application of the provincial PM2.5 air quality criteria
for ministry staff and stakeholders.

2. Background
PM2.5 refers to fine particles that are 2.5 micrometres (μm) or smaller in diameter. PM2.5
is one of the most important outdoor air pollutants in B.C. from a human health
perspective. PM2.5 exposure is linked to a range of health impacts including inflammation
of the airways, more frequent use of medications, increased emergency room visits,
hospitalizations and premature mortality. No safe health thresholds have been identified.

In response to concerns over PM2.5, the province has adopted new ambient air quality
criteria for PM2.5 in the form of daily (24-hour) and annual air quality objectives (AQO’s)
and an annual Planning Goal. This is in addition to the provincial PM10 objective of 50
μg/m3 (24-hour average) already in place.

               Criteria                 Level                Averaging Period
         Air Quality Objective         25 μg/m3                    Daily
                                                        (with achievement based on
                                                        annual 98th percentile level)
         Air Quality Objective          8 μg/m3                   Annual
             Planning Goal              6 μg/m3                   Annual

Provincial air quality objectives are the primary set of criteria used to manage air quality
in B.C. They are non-statutory limits – that is, they are not legally binding unless referred
to in a regulation, authorization or local bylaw. Air quality objectives are used to:
• Gauge current and historical air quality,
• Guide decisions on environmental impact assessments and authorizations,
• Guide airshed planning efforts, and
• Guide regulatory development.

The 24-hour air quality objective is also used to guide decisions on whether to issue an
air quality advisory.

The Planning Goal is intended as a voluntary target to guide airshed planning efforts and
encourage communities to maintain good air quality in the face of economic growth and
development.

In general, strict rules of application for air quality criteria have not been prescribed in
this province. This has given regulators the flexibility to consider new or existing
emissions within the context of a number of other local factors, such as current and
predicted air quality, proximity of potential impacts to populated or sensitive areas, and


                                                                                               1
whether there is an airshed plan in place or under development. This has also led to
concerns by some about inconsistent approaches used across the province, the lack of
clear expectations, and the difficulty this poses to those stakeholders operating in
multiple regions in B.C.

In view of these factors, the ministry has developed a consistent provincial approach that
maintains flexibility to accommodate regional/local considerations in local air
management decisions.

3. Guiding Principles

The following principles were used to guide development of this implementation guide:
• To promote ecosystem integrity;
• To position the Ministry of Environment for the future;
• To consider environmental, social, health and economic interests;
• To working with others;
• Continuous improvement and keeping clean areas clean, reflecting the provisions of
   the Canada-wide Standards for PM and Ozone that state that polluting up to a limit is
   unacceptable and the best way to avoid future problems is to keep clean areas clean;
• Flexibility, recognizing that regulators require some latitude to manage the
   cumulative impacts of multiple emission sources, for the protection of human health
   and the environment;
• Science-based decision-making, using the most appropriate level of science to
   support decisions; and
• Airshed protection, striving to identify, understand and reduce cumulative
   environmental risk and impacts.

4. Application of Ambient Air Quality Criteria

4.1 Definition of PM2.5
PM2.5 is directly emitted to the atmosphere (i.e. primary PM2.5) and produced in the
atmosphere via various reactions involving precursor gases such as sulphur dioxide,
oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds and ammonia (i.e. secondary PM2.5). For
dispersion modelling purposes, these fractions are also referred to as the filterable and
condensable fractions, respectively.

Ambient measurements reflect a mix of primary and secondary particles. In areas such as
the Lower Fraser Valley, the secondary component can be a significant contributor to
overall PM2.5 levels. However, similar information at the source is often unknown or
poorly characterized.

For dispersion modelling purposes, ministry staff will require potential and existing
dischargers to provide data on filterable and condensable fractions of PM2.5 as deemed
necessary, and will require stack testing to verify the data after the modelling is complete
and the discharges commence and/or discharges are modified or amended. Further



                                                                                           2
information on modelling requirements can be found in the Guidelines for Air Quality
Dispersion Modelling in British Columbia1

Timing
The objectives are effective immediately, and are to be used to guide decisions on air
management in this province, including authorizations and air quality advisories. This is
to ensure the consistent use of objectives across the province to guide the management of
PM2.5.

The planning goal is available immediately for use by communities to guide airshed
planning efforts.

4.2 Geographical Scope of Application
In general, provincial air quality criteria apply to areas where there is public access, i.e.
areas beyond plant boundaries. As described in “Guidelines for Air Quality Dispersion
Modelling in British Columbia2, “plant boundaries” are defined as:
  • the facility fenceline or the perimeter of disturbed area that defines where public
      access is restricted;
  • if a facility is located within another larger facility boundary, the plant boundary is
      the boundary of the encompassing facility; or
  • if a public access road passes through the plant, the plant boundary is the perimeter
      along the road allowance.

4.3 Application to Authorized Emissions
The Environmental Management Act (EMA) sets out the responsibilities of the Minister
of Environment, and provides the ministry with overall responsibility for waste
management in the province. The EMA provides the underlying legislation to air-quality-
related regulations in B.C. It further gives Metro Vancouver the authority to manage air
quality within the Greater Vancouver area.

Under sections 6(2) and 6(3) of the EMA, waste must not be introduced into the
environment in the course of conducting a prescribed industry, trade or business unless in
accordance with:
   • the Act,
   • a site-specific authorization (e.g. permit, approval or order),
   • a regulation (including code of practice), and
   • a waste management plan approved by the Minister.

The Waste Discharge Regulation prescribes those industries, trades, businesses
operations and activities for the above purposes. Schedule 1 identifies those operations
(Tier 1) that are of high risk to the environment and public health, or those where it has

1
  B.C. Ministry of Environment, 2007. See:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/air/airquality/pdfs/aq_disp_model_06.pdf)
2
  Ibid




                                                                                                3
been determined that code of practice development is impractical. Such operations
require some form of site-specific authorization. Schedule 2 identifies medium risk
operations (Tier 2) that may be authorized by meeting the requirements of a regulation or
code of practice. If neither has been developed, then a permit or approval is required.
Those industries, trades, businesses not listed in either Schedules 1 or 2 are considered
low risk (Tier 3) and do not require a formal authorization to discharge waste. However,
the discharges must not cause pollution or present a risk to public health.

4.3.1 Application to Permits and Approvals

The issuance of a permit or approval is based upon a multi-step process described more
fully in the ministry’s guidance document “Waste Discharge Authorizations.” 3

As part of the process to apply for a permit or approval, technical information must be
provided to the ministry that describes the source and its potential impacts on the
environment. For high risk/complex authorizations that fall under Schedule 1 of the
Waste Discharge Regulation (i.e. Tier 1 discharges), the applicant is required to prepare a
detailed technical assessment report. The manager clarifies this requirement during a pre-
application meeting. For moderate risk or less complex Tier 1 discharges and Tier 2
discharges where a code of practice or regulation is not in place, an environmental impact
technical assessment report may not be required. Instead, supporting technical
information is provided directly in the application form package.

Where a technical assessment is required, ministry staff work with applicants in the early
stages to clarify ministry expectations with respect to:
• ambient air quality objectives,
• ambient monitoring requirements,
• emission control technology requirements, and
• recommended approach to dispersion modelling.

This involves close collaboration between ministry staff involved in source management
and ambient monitoring and protection to ensure a consistent and coordinated approach.

Once complete, ministry staff conduct a review of the submitted impact assessment and
technical report. The director may then issue a permit subject to conditions considered
advisable for the protection of the environment. In determining what is advisable, the
director considers information provided by ministry staff, the applicant, concerned
persons and other agencies.

The director may consider current or future economic growth and the associated
cumulative impacts of multiple emission sources in an airshed when determining an
applicant’s maximum allowable impact on that airshed. This extends to undeveloped
areas, to ensure that no single source “uses up” the entire capacity of an airshed. A more
formal approach to identifying allowable incremental increases in air contaminant levels,

3
    See: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/waste_discharge_auth/intro.htm


                                                                                          4
such as used in the U.S. Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Program, does not
exist at this time. However, the potential development of a PSD-type program is
appropriate for future discussion.

The adoption of new objectives does not trigger an automatic review of authorizations.
However, exceedance of the ambient air quality objectives may warrant a review of
existing authorizations in an airshed, along with more frequent compliance inspections
and use of best available technology on new and existing facilities, as described in the
Provincial Airshed Planning Framework.4

4.3.2 Application to Regulated Facilities
Regulations, including codes of practice, set enforceable standards that apply to
prescribed industries, trades, businesses, activities or operations. Regulated facilities
operating in areas that exceed the air quality objectives may be subject to more stringent
regulatory requirements, with the determination made on an area-specific or case-by-case
basis. Where deemed necessary to protect the public or the environment or where the
intent of a code of practice will be met by a substitution, the EMA gives the minister or
director the authority to substitute a different requirement than that contained in a code of
practice. In the case of a regulation approved by cabinet, more stringent standards can be
included for sensitive areas. For example, more stringent emission standards are
required for asphalt plants located in the Lower Fraser Valley and Prince George airsheds
relative to elsewhere in the province.

4.4 Application to Airshed Planning
Airshed planning is a process to coordinate activities affecting air quality in a defined
area or airshed. This approach recognizes that local air quality is influenced by a number
of activities and emission sources, stakeholders and overlapping jurisdictions. As part of
this process, the ministry manages authorized and regulated sources under its jurisdiction
as described in Section 4.3.

Air quality objectives are viewed as an immediate target for all communities. Where
areas are approaching or exceeding the air quality objectives, and where an airshed
approach is determined to be the most effective means to improve air quality, the
ministry will support the development and implementation of an airshed plan.

As no threshold has been identified, below which health effects are not observed, the
ministry further supports the principles of Continuous Improvement and Keeping Clean
Areas Clean. For this reason, communities are encouraged to maintain air quality levels
below the air quality objectives and to strive toward or maintain levels equivalent to or
less than the Planning Goal of 6 μg/m3 (annual average). Communities determine how
quickly and to what degree they work towards this goal.

4.5 Air Quality Advisories
Air quality advisories are issued by regional offices of the Ministry of Environment and
Metro Vancouver to inform the public of degraded air quality, and to trigger actions to
4
    See: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/air/airquality/pdfs/airshedplan_provframework.pdf


                                                                                            5
reduce or avoid emissions. This may occur when measured air quality levels approach or
exceed “acceptable” levels, as defined by established air quality objectives. For PM2.5,
the trigger level would be the ambient objective of 25 μg/m3 (based on a forecast or
measured running 24-hour mean concentration).

Actions triggered in response to an air quality advisory may be voluntary or mandatory.
Examples of voluntary actions include asking the public to take alternative forms of
transportation other than single occupancy vehicles, or avoiding backyard burning.

Mandatory actions are those prescribed in a regulation, authorization or bylaw. Examples
of mandatory actions include burn bans in accordance with the Open Burning Smoke
Control Regulation, and bans on woodstove or backyard burning use in accordance with
local bylaws.

In some instances, a facility may be required under permit to reduce or alter operations in
response to an air quality advisory. This is typically required where:
 • Emissions from an authorized source (including those resulting from upset
     conditions) have been linked to past exceedances of air quality objectives, and
 • A major new source is entering an airshed that already experiences exceedances of
     air quality objectives.
Additional factors that would be considered prior to requiring an emission reduction
strategy include the magnitude and duration of typical air quality episodes as well as the
ability of a facility to curtail emissions in an efficient and timely manner.

5. PM2.5 Monitoring and Reporting
All monitoring sites are required to meet minimum siting standards to ensure that a
representative measure of air quality is made.5 All sites are audited by the ministry every
6 months to verify that monitors are operating properly to ensure the collection of valid
and complete data.

The provincial monitoring network is comprised of a large number of automated TEOM
instruments, followed by a mixture of filter-based gravimetric Partisol and dichotomous
samplers, as summarized in Appendix I. Provincial and territorial managers of the
National Air Pollutant Surveillance (NAPS) network rely on testing performed by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish reference or equivalent
methods for air quality monitoring. A list of current EPA-approved PM2.5 samplers can
be found in Appendix II.

The Partisol and dichotomous samplers currently used in the provincial monitoring
network are considered to be reference samplers. However, the TEOMs in current use
have not received such designation. Such TEOMs have been shown to under-measure
relative to filter-based samplers, especially during the winter in some communities. It is
expected that a number of TEOM instruments will be upgraded within the next few years

5
 “Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume IV: Meteorological
Measurements Version 1.0 (Draft).” EPA-454/D-06-001, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Air Quality Planning and Standards, October 2006.


                                                                                                   6
to reference or equivalent reference samplers established by NAPS managers, beginning
in the most populated areas. Full-scale change-out of the TEOM network will be a long-
term effort.

For the purpose of air quality advisories, decisions should be based on available
continuous measurements (including TEOM data), calculated on a rolling 24-hour
average). Achievement of the air quality objectives for the purposes of annual reporting
or environmental assessments should be based on reference or equivalent reference
sampler data or, where available, TEOM data that has been adjusted using correction
factors that have been developed by the ministry to meet minimum data quality
objectives that are being established by NAPS managers. Summaries of recent air quality
data (unadjusted) are provided in Appendix III. For specific guidance on calculating
PM2.5 concentrations for comparison with provincial ambient air quality objectives, see
Appendix IV.

6. Summary
The province has adopted new ambient air quality criteria for PM2.5 in the form of daily
(24-hour) and annual air quality objectives (AQO’s) and an annual Planning Goal.
Guidance has been developed to assist stakeholders and ministry staff in the application
of these criteria to various air management decisions, including those related to
authorizations, regulated facilities, air quality advisories and airshed planning. Additional
guidance has been provided with respect to the monitoring and reporting of PM2.5.




                                                                                            7
                          Appendix I. PM2.5 Monitoring Sites in B.C. (as of December 31, 2007)
                               [Excludes GRIMM and BAM monitors currently being tested]

 Site ID                   Site Name                                     Location                   TEOM   Partisol   Dichot
E218444    100 Mile House Access Centre            On roof of B.C. Access Centre - 100 Mile House             x
E246240    Abbotsford Airport - Walmsley Road      31790 Walmsley Road                               x                  x
E259717    Armstrong Riverside                     Tolko Industries Armstrong Sawmill                         x
0310177    Burnaby Kensington Park                 6400 E. Hastings                                  x
E207418    Burnaby South                           5455 Rumble Street                                x                  x
E225267    Burns Lake Fire Centre                  #8 4th Avenue                                     x
E229798    Campbell River Tyee Spit                2662 Tyee Spit                                    x
E243617    Castlegar Fire Hall                                                                                x
E220891    Chilliwack Airport                      Airport Road                                      x
           Cowichan Valley                                                                                             New
           Cranbrook                                                                                                   New
E259398    Creston Piper Farms                     Canada/US Border                                  x
E220218    Crofton South                           7390 Alberta Place                                x
E222520    Elk Falls Dogwood                       Adjacent to 660 Westmere                          x
E206193    Elkview Coal (PA1807) North of Michel   300 metres north of Michel Hotel                           x
           Hotel
0250017    Elkview Coal (PA1807) Sparwood Civic    Roof of Civic Building on Spruce Street                    x
           Building
0250184    Elkview Coal (PA1807) Whispering        Lower Elk Valley Road                                      x
           Winds Park
E250350    Fort Nelson Chalo School                Chalo Road (First Nations Reserve)                x
           Ft. St. John                                                                                                New
E235070    Golden Hospital                         835 9th Avenue South                              x
E256315    Golden Townsite                         835 9th Avenue South                              x
E263701    Grand Forks City Hall                   2217 4th Street                                   x
E207520    Grand Forks City Hall                   Background Monitoring Site                                 x
E255713    Hazelton NWCC                                                                                      x
E223756    Hope Airport                            62715 Airport Road                                x
M107004    Houston Firehall                        3382 11th Street                                  x
E206898    Kamloops Brocklehurst                   Mayfair Street                                    x                  x
E266222    Kamloops Dalhousie                      1259 Dalhousie Drive                                       x
E206725    Kamloops Federal Building               Post Office, Downtown Kamloops                             x
E261178    Kamloops Wildlife Park                                                                             x



                                                                                                                               8
 Site ID                   Site Name                                   Location                         TEOM   Partisol   Dichot
0500886    Kelowna College                       3333 College Way                                         x                 x
E223827    Kitimat Rail                          CN Rail Yard                                             x
E216670    Kitimat Riverlodge                    651 Columbia Street                                      x
E264882    Langford Lakewood Elementary School   2363 Setchfield                                          x       x
E209178    Langley Central                       23752 52nd Avenue                                        x
E258637    Lillooet T'IT'Q'ET                    West end of administration office building                       x
E265082    Lillooet T'IT'Q'ET Pumphouse          Adjacent to pumphouse on Scotchman Road                          x
E253329    Lumby Greenridge Supply               Shuswap Road, Lumby                                              x
0770709    Mackenzie                             Fletcher Challenge                                      x
E264161    Merritt Gillis House                  Gillis House, Merritt                                            x
E264682    Merritt Parcel Street                 Met Tower on Parcel Streel, Merritt                              x
E229797    Nanaimo Labieux Road                  2080A Labieux Road                                      x                 New
E206375    Nelson Government Building            Nelson Government Building                                       x
E258315    Nelson Kutenai Place                  333 Victoria Street                                     x
E267442    North Nechako                                                                                          x
E257415    Osoyoos Canada Customs                202 Hwy 97S                                             x
E260557    Pemberton Signal Hill Elementary                                                                                 x
E232244    Pitt Meadows Meadowlands Elementary   18477 Dewdney Trunk Road                                x
           School
0310162    Port Moody Rocky Point Park           Moody Street and Esplanade                              x
0220204    Powell River Cranberry Lake           Wildlife Sanctuary                                      x
0220205    Powell River Wildwood                 Wildwood Motors                                         x
0450270    Prince George Gladstone School        7005 Gladstone Drive                                    x        x
0450324    Prince George Lakewood School         Lakewood Junior Secondary School                                 x
0450307    Prince George Plaza 400               1011 4th Avenue                                         x        x         x
0450232    Prince George Van Bien                Van Bien Elementary School                                       x
E259277    Prince George Western Acres           City of Prince George sewage lagoons located at                  x
           (Background)                          Western Acres adjacent to Hwy. 16 West, 15km west
                                                 of downtown.
E266302    Quadra Island Cape Mudge Village      in village                                              x
E216667    Quesnel Maple Drive                   950 Mountain Ash Road                                   x
E208096    Quesnel Senior Secondary              585 Callanan Street                                     x                  x
E228064    Quesnel West Correlieu School         850 Anderson                                            x
E251469    Revelstoke Begbie                     Roof of Mt. Begbie school                                        x
E248021    Revelstoke Mt Begbie School           402 Downie Street                                       x
E253229    Saanich Stellys Cross Road            North side of Stelly's Crossroad west of the Saanich    x        x
                                                 Fairgrounds



                                                                                                                                   9
 Site ID                  Site Name                                    Location                        TEOM   Partisol   Dichot
E206589    Smithers St Josephs                  4020 Broadway Avenue                                     x       x         x
E253330    Spallumcheen Township Office         4164 Spallumcheen Way                                           x
0310172    Squamish Government Building         2ND Street, Squamish                                             x
E240336    Stewart                              ROOF OF RESIDENCE                                                x
E230557    Telkwa                               1304 Birch Street                                       x
M107028    Terrace BC Access Centre             104 - 3220 Eby Street                                   x
E269123    Trail Aquatic Centre                 1875 Columbia Avenue                                    x
E234293    Valemount                            A parttisol PM 10 sampler is located on the firehall             x
                                                building roof.
E256101    Vanderhoof                           Provincial Courthouse on Bute Avenue                             x
E232246    Vancouver International Airport #2   3153 Templeton Street                                   x
0310175    Vancouver Kitsilano                  2550 West 10th Avenue                                   x
E249492    Vernon Science Centre                2704 Highway #6                                         x
E260701    Victoria Christopher Point           DND property at Rocky Point                             x
0110031    Victoria Royal Roads University      2005 Sooke Road                                         x
E231866    Victoria Topaz                       923 Topaz, Victoria                                     x        x         x
E227431    Whistler Meadow Park                 Meadow Park Sport Centre                                x
E229457    Williams Lake 168 Mile Road          1365 168 Mile Road                                               x
0550502    Williams Lake Columneetza School     1045 Western Avenue                                     x
E248797    Williams Lake CRD Library            180 North Third Ave                                     x
0605020    Williams Lake Skyline School         225 Hodson Road                                         x        x
E222242    Williams Lake Water Tower            Gravel access road at the end of Midnight Drive,                 x
                                                Williams Lake.




                                                                                                                                  10
          Appendix II. List of Designated Reference and Equivalent Methods for PM2.5

The following samplers have been designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) as reference methods or equivalent methods for ambient PM2.5 measurement (as of March
20, 2008). Environment Canada and provincial/territorial managers of the National Air Pollution
Surveillance (NAPS) network have identified Canadian reference methods as those designated by
the U.S. EPA.
(Source: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/files/ambient/criteria/reference-equivalent-methods-
list.pdf)

Andersen Model RAAS2.5-200 PM2.5 Ambient Audit Air Sampler
BGI Inc. Models PQ200 or PQ200A PM2.5 Ambient Fine Particle Sampler
BGI Inc. Models PQ200-VSCC or PQ200A-VSCC PM2.5 Sampler
Graseby Andersen Model RAAS2.5-100 PM2.5 Ambient Air Sampler
Graseby Andersen Model RAAS2.5-300 PM2.5 Sequential Ambient Air Sampler
Met One BAM-1020 Monitor - PM2.5 FEM Configuration (Federal Equivalent Method)
Rupprecht & Patashnick Partisol®-FRM Model 2000 PM -2.5 Air Sampler
Rupprecht & Patashnick Partisol® Model 2000 PM -2.5 Audit Sampler
Rupprecht & Patashnick Partisol® Model 2000 PM -2.5 FEM Audit Sampler
Rupprecht & Patashnick Partisol®-Plus Model 2025 Sequential Air Sampler
Thermo Electron Model RAAS2.5-100 FEM PM2.5 Ambient Air Sampler
Thermo Electron Model RAAS2.5-200 FEM PM2.5 Audit Air Sampler
Thermo Electron Model RAAS2.5-300 FEM PM2.5 Sequential Ambient Air Sampler
Thermo Electron Corporation Model RAAS2.5-300 FEM PM2.5 Sequential Ambient Air
Sampler
Thermo Environmental Instruments, Incorporated Model 605 “CAPS” Sampler
Thermo Scientific Partisol 2000-FRM PM2.5 Air Sampler
Thermo Scientific Partisol-Plus 2025 Sequential PM2.5 Air Sampler
Rupprecht & Patashnick Partisol®-Plus 2025 PM-2.5 Sequential Sampler
URG-MASS100 Single PM 2.5 FRM Sampler
URG-MASS300 Sequential PM 2.5 FRM Sampler




                                                                                            11
                       Appendix III-1. Summary of Annual Mean PM2.5 Levels
                            (in μg/m3, based on TEOM measurements)

 Site ID                    Site Name              2002    2003      2004    2005   2006
E246240    Abbotsford Airport - Walmsley Road       5.4     5.3       5.0     5.2    4.1
0310177    Burnaby Kensington Park                   .       .        4.9     4.9    4.5
E207418    Burnaby South                             .       .        5.2     5.5    4.7
E220891    Chilliwack Airport                       4.9     4.9       5.0     4.7    4.6
E220218    Crofton South                             .       .         .       .     4.8
E250350    Fort Nelson Chalo School                  .       .         .       .     3.8
E243516    Fort St John                             4.0      .         .       .      .
E256894    Golden CPR                                .       .         .      5.1     .
E256895    Golden Golf Course                        .       .         .      2.9     .
E235070    Golden Hospital                           .     10.2        .      7.1    6.8
E256315    Golden Townsite                           .       .         .      6.7    6.6
E223756    Hope Airport                              .       .         .      4.5    3.4
M107004    Houston Firehall                         7.2     6.5       6.2     6.2    6.2
E206898    Kamloops Brocklehurst                    6.7     7.9       5.7     4.7    5.0
0500886    Kelowna College                          6.0     8.5       5.8     4.6    5.2
E223827    Kitimat Rail                              .      3.7       4.1     3.7     .
E216670    Kitimat Riverlodge                        .      2.7       2.9     2.7    2.6
E249735    Langford Dogwood School                   .       .        5.7      .      .
E209178    Langley Central                          5.4     5.6        .      5.6    5.1
E229797    Nanaimo Labieux Road                     5.2     4.2       4.1     4.4    3.7
E258315    Nelson Kutenai Place                      .       .         .       .     4.7
E257415    Osoyoos Canada Customs                    .       .         .      4.1    5.2
E232244    Pitt Meadows Meadowlands Elem. School    5.2     5.6       5.3     5.5    5.0
0310162    Port Moody Rocky Point Park               .       .        5.8     6.0    5.5
0220204    Powell River Cranberry Lake              3.7     3.7       3.2     3.0    3.2
0450270    Prince George Gladstone School            .       .         .       .     6.7
0450307    Prince George Plaza 400                  9.2    10.8      10.6     7.9    7.6
E216667    Quesnel Maple Drive                      8.2      .        8.2     6.9    7.5
E221885    Quesnel Pinecrest                        7.4     8.6       8.3     7.8     .
E208096    Quesnel Senior Secondary                 8.8      .        8.9     7.3    8.0
E228064    Quesnel West Correlieu School            5.5      .        6.3     5.3    5.5
E253229    Saanich Stelly's                          .       .        7.6      .      .
E206589    Smithers St Josephs                       .       .         .      6.7    6.8
M107028    Terrace BC Access Centre                  .       .        3.2     3.4    3.1
E232246    Vancouver International Airport #2       5.8     5.9       5.5     6.0    4.9
0310175    Vancouver Kitsilano                       .       .        5.8     5.9    5.2
E249492    Vernon Science Centre                     .      8.4       6.8     5.6    5.8
0110031    Victoria Royal Roads University          5.1     4.5       4.3     4.1    4.0
E231866    Victoria Topaz                           7.1     5.9       5.6     5.4    5.6
E227431    Whistler Meadow Park                      .       .         .      4.0    4.0
0550502    Williams Lake Columneetza School         6.7     7.5       7.2     6.7    6.8
E248797    Williams Lake CRD Library                 .      6.3       6.5     5.6    5.6
0605020    Williams Lake Skyline School             6.5     6.8       7.5     6.7    6.5
  Note: Exceedances of annual objective of 8 μg/m3 highlighted in bold.



                                                                                           12
Appendix III-2. Summary of Annual Mean PM2.5 Levels (preliminary)
                   (in μg/m3, based on Partisol measurements)


       Site ID                       Site Name             2006     2007
      0310172    Squamish Government Bldg                   5.4      4.7
      0450232    Prince George Van Bien School              8.9      8.3
      0450270    Prince George Gladstone School             8.2      7.4
      0450307    Prince George Plaza 400                    9.6      8.5
      0450324    Prince George Lakewood Secondary School    8.0      7.0
      0605020    Williams Lake Skyline School               8.2
      E206589    Smithers                                            6.1
      E218444    100 Mile House                             7.7       -
      E234293    Valemount                                 9.8      7.7
      E251469    Revelstoke                                11.1      9.2
      E235329    Lumby Greenridge                                   10.2
      E256101    Vanderhoof                                 9.0     7.7
      E258637    Lilooet Titq'et                            5.0
      E259277    Prince George Western Acres Background     4.3     5.8
      E260557    Pemberton Signal Hill Elementary School    4.8
      E261178    Kamlooops Wildlife Park                    6.7     6.2




                                                                           13
                     Appendix III-3. Summary of 24-hour PM2.5 Levels
               (Annual 98th percentile in μg/m3, based on TEOM measurements)

 Site ID                    Site Name              2002      2003      2004       2005   2006
E246240    Abbotsford Airport - Walmsley Road       14        15        15         14     12
0310177    Burnaby Kensington Park                   .         .        14         14     13
E207418    Burnaby South                             .         .        14         13     13
E220891    Chilliwack Airport                       14        16        14         12     15
E220218    Crofton South                             .         .         .          .     13
E250350    Fort Nelson Chalo School                  .         .         .          .     11
E243516    Fort St John                             13         .         .          .      .
E256894    Golden CPR                                .         .         .         14      .
E256895    Golden Golf Course                        .         .         .          9      .
E235070    Golden Hospital                           .        48         .         19     19
E256315    Golden Townsite                           .         .         .         18     19
E223756    Hope Airport                              .         .         .         12     12
M107004    Houston Firehall                         24        23        19         22     21
E206898    Kamloops Brocklehurst                    20        41        18         13     16
0500886    Kelowna College                          18        41        17         12     22
E223827    Kitimat Rail                              .        11        13         11      .
E216670    Kitimat Riverlodge                        .         9        12          8      9
E249735    Langford Dogwood School                   .         .        14          .      .
E209178    Langley Central                          16        19         .         15     13
E229797    Nanaimo Labieux Road                     12        10        11         11     10
E258315    Nelson Kutenai Place                      .         .         .          .     15
E257415    Osoyoos Canada Customs                    .         .         .         11     24
E232244    Pitt Meadows Meadowlands Elem. School    13        16        14         16     15
0310162    Port Moody Rocky Point Park               .         .        15         15     14
0220204    Powell River Cranberry Lake               9        10        10          8     10
0450270    Prince George Gladstone School            .         .         .          .     22
0450307    Prince George Plaza 400                  32        41        34         27     23
E216667    Quesnel Maple Drive                      27         .        27         25     26
E221885    Quesnel Pinecrest                        22        23        25         23      .
E208096    Quesnel Senior Secondary                 25         .        28         21     24
E228064    Quesnel West Correlieu School            20         .        22         16     18
E253229    Saanich Stelly's                          .         .        14          .      .
E206589    Smithers St Josephs                       .         .         .         19     20
M107028    Terrace BC Access Centre                  .         .        12         13      9
E232246    Vancouver International Airport #2       18        16        16         18     14
0310175    Vancouver Kitsilano                       .         .        15         15     13
E249492    Vernon Science Centre                     .        27        19         15     20
0110031    Victoria Royal Roads University          15        11        11         11     11
E231866    Victoria Topaz                           18        15        16         14     14
E227431    Whistler Meadow Park                      .         .         .         11     10
0550502    Williams Lake Columneetza School         23        26        22         19     21
E248797    Williams Lake CRD Library                 .        19        19         16     19
0605020    Williams Lake Skyline School             20        20        25         17     21
Note: Exceedances of 24-hour objective of 25 μg/m3, based on annual 98th percentile
concentration, highlighted in bold.


                                                                                         14
                                Appendix IV. PM2.5 Reporting


Based on the CCME “Guidance Document on Achievement Determination Canada-wide
Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone”,6 the following calculation methodologies
should be used when comparing ambient data to provincial air quality criteria.

1. Data Completeness
A daily value for PM2.5 refers to the 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 in μg/m3
measured from midnight to midnight (local standard time). For continuous monitors, at
least 18 hourly measurements are required to calculate a valid daily value. For manual
samplers, the sampler must run for at least 18 hours during the day.

2. Annual Data Completeness
An annual data set should be considered complete if at least 75% of the scheduled
sampling days in each quarter have valid data. Years with less than 75% data in any
quarter and a 98th percentile value greater than or equal to the air quality objective of 25
μg/m³ should be flagged for reporting.

3. Calculating the 24-hour Average Concentration
A daily value for PM2.5 refers to the 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 in μg/m3
covering the period from midnight to midnight (local standard time). The 24-hour PM2.5
is to be reported to the nearest integer (e.g. 11.65 μg/m3 is rounded to 12 μg/m3).

4. Calculating the Annual 98th Percentile Value
Use of percentiles is a means of adjusting for differences in sample size and ensuring
that the values used for achievement determination are not unduly affected by extreme
events. The 98th percentile is the daily value out of a year of monitoring data below
which 98 percent of all values fall. Annual 98th percentiles are to be reported to the
nearest integer.

The annual 98th percentile (98P) is determined and defined as follows:
• Sort all the daily 24-hour PM2.5 concentration values for the given year into an array
   of numbers ordered from lowest to highest (x1, x2, x3,…..xn).
• Repeat equal values as many times as they occur.
• Calculate the number "id" defined as,
       id = 0.98*n (the product of 0.98 and n), where
       i = the integer part of the number
       d = the decimal part of the number
       n = total number of the daily 24-hour concentration values
   The annual 98P is then defined to be the (i + 1)th largest value in the ordered array
   (x1, x2, x3,…..xn).


6
 Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (2002) “Guidance Document on Achievement
Determination. Canada-wide Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone”, revised 2007 (see:
http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/1391_gdad_e.pdf).


                                                                                             15
•   For the daily 24-hour PM2.5 concentrations that satisfy the data completeness criteria,
    the above steps yield a 98P that correspond to the following based on the total
    number of available daily concentration values. Data are reported to the nearest 1
    μg/m3.

5. Calculating the Annual Average
An annual average value for PM2.5 reflects the average of four quarterly means (e.g. Jan.-
Mar., Apr.-Jun., Jul.-Sep. and Oct.-Dec.). The annual average PM2.5 concentrations
should be reported to the nearest 0.1 μg/m3.

Intermediate calculations should retain all available digits and decimal places.




                                                                                         16
