529
WOCN20 CWVR 172229
SPECIAL AIR QUALITY STATEMENT
FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA AND THE B.C. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
AND CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY
AT 2:29 P.M. PST FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 2025.
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SPECIAL AIR QUALITY STATEMENT FOR:
=NEW= NORTH OKANAGAN.
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==DISCUSSION==
ELEVATED POLLUTION LEVELS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.
(JANUARY 17, 2025 12:00 PM) THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE
CHANGE STRATEGY IN COLLABORATION WITH THE INTERIOR HEALTH AUTHORITY
HAS ISSUED A DUST ADVISORY FOR VERNON BECAUSE OF HIGH CONCENTRATIONS
OF COARSE PARTICULATE MATTER THAT ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST UNTIL
THERE IS PRECIPITATION, DUST SUPPRESSION OR A CHANGE IN TRAFFIC
PATTERNS. LEVELS TEND TO BE HIGHEST AROUND BUSY ROADS AND INDUSTRIAL
OPERATIONS. THIS ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
EXPOSURE IS PARTICULARLY A CONCERN FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC
CONDITIONS SUCH AS ASTHMA, COPD, HEART DISEASE, AND
DIABETES(SEMICOLON) RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS SUCH AS COVID-19,
PREGNANT WOMEN, INFANTS, AND OLDER ADULTS. PERSONS WITH CHRONIC
UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR ACUTE INFECTIONS SHOULD POSTPONE OR
REDUCE STRENUOUS EXERCISE UNTIL THE ADVISORY IS LIFTED. WHERE
APPROPRIATE, MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCING. ANYONE EXPERIENCING
SYMPTOMS SUCH AS CONTINUING EYE OR THROAT IRRITATION, CHEST
DISCOMFORT, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, COUGH OR WHEEZING, SHOULD FOLLOW
THE ADVICE OF THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. STAYING INDOORS HELPS TO
REDUCE EXPOSURE.
REAL-TIME AIR QUALITY OBSERVATIONS AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE
HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION CAN BE FOUND AT
HTTPS://WWW.GOV.BC.CA/AIRQUALITY.
YOU CAN LIMIT EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION BY AVOIDING SOURCE
EMISSIONS, WHERE POSSIBLE,SUCH AS ON BUSY ROADS OR HEAVY TRAFFIC
AREAS.
BE AIR AWARE(EXCLAMATION MARK) CHECK YOUR LOCAL WEATHER FORECASTS
AND ALERTS SO YOU KNOW WHEN TO TAKE EXTRA CARE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CURRENT AIR QUALITY, VISIT
HTTPS://WWW2.GOV.BC.CA/GOV/CONTENT/ENVIRONMENT/AIR-LAND-WATER/AIR.
VISIT HTTP://WWW.AIRHEALTH.CA FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO REDUCE YOUR
HEALTH RISK AND YOUR PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION TO POLLUTION LEVELS, AS
WELL AS FOR CURRENT AND FORECAST AQHI VALUES.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO MONITOR ALERTS AND FORECASTS ISSUED BY
ENVIRONMENT CANADA.
HTTP://WEATHER.GC.CA
END/PSPC
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