Visualizing and interpreting PM2.5 levels from wood smoke

By -
As many of you likely know, there have been several small wildfires recently in B.C.. With a strong El Nino oscillation this year, we predict that this Summer may be worse than what we’ve experienced to-date in terms of air pollution.
It’s sometimes difficult to make sense of the numbers and metrics used to explain air pollution.

 We came across the following website that helps show visually the differences between these levels, and are attaching some screenshots from this website. 

With respect to PM2.5 sized particles, the World Health Organization is recommending an annual average of 10 micrograms/cubic metre or lower. Below is a representation of this level.




The Province of British Columbia has a target (not even a regulation) of 25 micrograms/cubic metre for a 24 hour period. 


At points during the Summers of 2017 and 2018, we had daily averages exceeding 500 micrograms/cubic metre in the interior and north of the province.


What’s clear from the science is that there is no safe threshold, and that effects become noticeable as low as 4 micrograms/cubic metre. Good fitting respirator (N95) masks and HEPA filters can make a significant difference. Limiting exposure is critical.

To learn more about these risks, feel free to visit the following website created by Doctors and Scientists Against Wood Smoke Pollution. The Gabriola Island Clean Air Society is one of several non-profits from around the world who belong to this organization.

Since last Summer, our Purple Air network of sensors has expanded. On this map you can change units to micrograms/cubic metre by toggling options in the “Map Data Layer” box to Raw PM2.5. The readings shown are real-time data but clicking on any number will pull up more details including hourly and 24 hour average periods.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Press release - Wood Smoke is a Serious Health Hazard

By -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wood Smoke is a Serious Health Hazard (April 6, 2017, Vancouver, British Columbia)— Vicki Morell feels like a prisoner in her own home. And she warns that if it happened to her and her family, it can happen to you too.  The misery began 12 years ago when wood smoke from a neighbour’s fireplace began to permeate the Morell family’s home. The smoke gives Morell headaches and causes burning eyes and other health effects. “My wood-burning neighbours have told me that it is their right to burn wood,” said Morell. "But what about my right to breathe fresh clean air in my own home? I don’t understand why the right to burn wood outweighs another’s right to breathe clean air.” Morell used to think that closing windows would keep out the wood smoke, but she soon discovered that she was wrong. Wood smoke particles are far smaller than the width of a human hair — so tiny that, research has shown, the insides of nearby houses can wind up having nearly 80
Read more

Clean "country" air is an illusion

By -
Image
If you moved to the "country" for clean air and a healthy lifestyle it's time to rethink things. Right now air quality on Gabriola Island is mosty in the warning zone due to wood burning appliances like woodstoves and fireplaces with air quality readings of over 100. By contrast downtown Vancouver at rush hour is in the 50s and downtown Victoria is in the teens.
Read more

Comparing Fuel Prices

By -
Image
Dave Neads found this article with this chart at the end. Dave's comments are below the picture. You can compare different fuels to see whether you're paying too much  for your particular situation. http://umaine.edu/publications/7216e/ The important part of this paper is the chart at the end. It shows the relative cost for different fuels based on BTU delivered. Pay attention to the different assumptions, not every wood stove is equal, not every type of fuel is equal. The heat delivered by each scenario is relatively fixed, the ratios between each source don't change. Your scenario may or my not match one of these scenarios. When you compare electric kW to wood, paying 10 cents per kWh is the same as paying $290 a cord  (Pine and fir)  if you use a 70% efficient heater.  Rarely  does a heater put out 70%, most air tights are in the 50% or less range. In that case you should pay less per cord because you'll need more so the price of wood that is eq
Read more