On the morning of May 26, abnormal readings were detected at a provincial air quality monitoring station located in the parking area of Hillcrest Baptist Church on the western side of Saint John. Situated in a residential vicinity with two nearby schools, the levels of fine particulate matter began escalating significantly around 10 a.m., deviating from the initial levels that were below the threshold of concern for environmental authorities. By 2 p.m., the station indicated that the concentration of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere was double the approved safe levels for a 24-hour period, particularly posing risks to children, seniors, and individuals with respiratory ailments.
Fine particulate matter, as defined by Environment and Climate Change Canada, comprises minute airborne particles originating from various sources such as vehicles, industrial plants, chemical processes, or natural occurrences like wildfires. Melanie Langille, the CEO of NB Lung, highlighted the challenges in detecting such spikes at ground level, emphasizing the adverse health impacts on individuals with conditions like asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and heart diseases.
Despite the observed spike on the west side of Saint John, no specific alert was issued to the public, although the environmental department closely monitored the situation and launched an immediate investigation to identify the root cause. The inquiry has yet to pinpoint a definitive source for the surge in readings witnessed on May 26. However, the department suggested that the operations and maintenance activities at the Irving Pulp & Paper mill, located slightly over a kilometer away from the monitoring station, might have contributed to the anomaly.
J.D. Irving Ltd., in response, denied conclusive evidence linking them to the deteriorated air quality readings but acknowledged making operational adjustments as a precautionary measure. Despite the transient nature of the incident, local clean air advocate Gordon Dalzell contested the department’s decision not to issue a public notice, emphasizing the potential risks to vulnerable individuals like asthmatics.
The incident on May 26 was not an isolated occurrence, with several similar single-day surges in fine particulate matter emissions reported in the past two years at both the west side monitoring station and two east side stations near the Irving oil refinery. Dalzell stressed the importance of public awareness regarding air quality, particularly for individuals with underlying health conditions.
While various tools exist to inform the public about air quality issues, limitations exist in the current systems. Langille underscored the significance of public education and suggested integrating air quality forecasts into weather reports to enhance awareness among the populace. She advocated for more comprehensive initiatives to keep communities informed about air quality concerns and their potential health implications.