The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Northern Health have issued an Air Quality Advisory for Prince George due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter. The matter is expected to persist until weather conditions change.
Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted.
"Exposure is particularly a concern for individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes; respiratory infections such as COVID-19, pregnant women, infants, and older adults," they caution.
Anyone experiencing eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cough or wheezing, should follow the advice of their health care provider, the advisory adds, noting that staying indoors will help reduce exposure.
During an air quality advisory, the City of Prince George's Clean Air Bylaw prohibits recreational fires, using wood-burning appliances except for sole wood burning heat users, and street sweeping activities unless approved. Industry must also follow permit requirements under the advisory and are asked to reduce emissions where possible. Open burning, such as backyard burning, and land clearing burning are also prohibited during an advisory. Real-time air quality observations about the health effects of air pollution can be found here. "You can limit exposure to air pollution by avoiding source emissions, where possible,such as on busy roads or heavy traffic areas. You can help reduce outdoor air pollution by leaving the car at home and using a transportation alternative such as walking, cycling, carpooling or public transportation," they add.
