News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The 2019 Air Quality Monitoring Results report was released today, showing the province continued to have good air quality.

“New Brunswickers continue to benefit from the province’s rigorous environmental regulatory system that has brought tremendous improvements in air quality,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman. “We are committed to air quality monitoring, working with our stakeholders and to accurate and timely public reporting of air quality information.”

Report highlights include:

• Exceedances of provincial air quality objectives were rare and short-lived.
• The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards were being achieved at all monitoring stations in the province, with no exceedances recorded.
• Special air quality studies were concluded in Saint-François de Madawaska and at Nackawic. Information about both projects are included in the 2019 report.
• A nitrogen dioxide monitor was added to the Saint Andrews station in 2019. When combined with data from existing monitors at that location, the station was able to start reporting air quality health index (AQHI) values.
• Acid rain levels remain extremely low.

The 2019 report includes data from nine air quality monitoring stations, five acid rain stations and 32 industry-operated stations. The key pollutants monitored include carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, 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 online.