News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The 2016 Air Quality Monitoring Results report was released today.

“We are committed to improving air quality in our province to create a healthier and cleaner environment for current and future generations,” said Environment and Local Government Minister Jeff Carr. “We will continue to monitor air quality throughout the province and report our comprehensive findings to New Brunswickers.”

Report highlights include:

·         Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards targets were met provincewide.

·         There were no public alerts or advisories related to air quality in 2016.

·         Annual average benzene levels in Saint John decreased compared to 2015.

·         Acid rain levels remain low, following a steep decline in recent years.

The 2016 report includes data from 13 air quality monitoring stations and 5 acid rain stations. During this reporting period, industry operated an additional 32 stations. The key pollutants monitored include carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide, ground level ozone, particulate matter, total reduced sulphur, and volatile organic compounds.

Air quality monitoring in New Brunswick is a partnership between Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Department of Environment and Local Government under the National Air Pollution Surveillance Agreement.

The report and other detailed results, including the Air Quality Data Portal, are available on the Department of Environment and Local Government website.