Helena Joyce
Vancouver, a coastal city in British Columbia, Canada, is known for its pristine natural environment. However, in recent years, the city has faced a growing problem of air pollution, with levels of certain pollutants spiking to concentrations comparable to those found in major Chinese cities like Beijing. While wildfires in the surrounding province have been a significant local contributor to poor air quality, a surprising proportion of the pollutants are also carried by wind and air currents from industrial activities in China, thousands of miles away.
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What You'll Learn
Vancouver's air quality is comparable to Beijing's
Vancouver is known for its lush forests and pristine mountain air. However, in recent years, the city has faced dangerous levels of air pollution, comparable to that of Beijing, China. In 2015, forest fires in British Columbia caused a sharp decrease in Vancouver's air quality, leading to levels of pollution similar to those found in Beijing. Health authorities warned residents to stay indoors, as the air posed a risk to human health and well-being.
The poor air quality in Vancouver was attributed to the release of toxic smoke from the forest fires. This smoke contains small particles that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory issues. The highest concentration of particulate matter was found in North Burnaby, with levels comparable to Beijing.
The situation in Beijing, a sprawling Chinese city, is often attributed to rampant air pollution stemming from decades of economic growth. Similarly, Vancouver's air pollution has been influenced by factors such as forest fires and other sources of combustion.
While Vancouver's air quality has typically been associated with the city's natural surroundings, the 2015 forest fires highlighted the vulnerability of the region to air pollution. This issue has brought attention to the potential health risks associated with poor air quality, especially for vulnerable segments of the population, including people with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, and children.
During periods of poor air quality, health organizations such as the American Lung Association recommend limiting exposure to the outdoors. They suggest keeping windows closed, minimizing time spent outside, and avoiding outdoor exercise. Additionally, it is advised not to use fireplaces or burn candles indoors, as it can further contribute to indoor air pollution.
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Wildfires in BC impact air quality
Wildfires in British Columbia, Canada, have significantly impacted the air quality in Vancouver and the surrounding areas. In 2015, health authorities reported that Metro Vancouver's air quality had deteriorated to levels comparable to major Chinese polluted cities like Beijing. The rampant wildfires in BC were a contributing factor to this decline in air quality.
Forest fires release small particles into the atmosphere, which can irritate people's lungs and pose risks to human health and well-being. During fire season, Smoky Skies Bulletins are issued to notify the British Columbian public when wildfire smoke is expected to affect their region within the next 24 to 48 hours. These bulletins provide resources and advice from the BCCDC and health authorities on reducing the health impact of smoke inhalation.
The air quality index measures various pollutants, including PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), PM10 (respirable particulate matter), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), SO2 (sulfur dioxide), and O3 (ozone). Wildfires can increase the levels of these pollutants in the air, leading to a sharp decrease in overall air quality.
The impact of wildfires on air quality can vary depending on weather conditions and wind patterns. Smoke from wildfires can spread over vast areas, affecting multiple communities and regions. In the case of Vancouver, the wildfires in BC led to a notable deterioration in air quality, with levels of particulate matter in North Burnaby approaching those typically seen in heavily polluted cities like Beijing.
To mitigate the health risks associated with poor air quality due to wildfires, residents are often advised to stay indoors and monitor local air quality updates. It is crucial for individuals in affected areas to heed these warnings and take necessary precautions to protect their health and well-being during periods of heightened air pollution caused by wildfires.
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Chinese manufacturing causes pollution on the West Coast
While there are no explicit mentions of "Chinese manufacturing" causing pollution on the West Coast, it is worth noting that air pollution in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been compared to that of major Chinese cities like Beijing. In July 2015, health authorities reported that Metro Vancouver's air quality had deteriorated to levels akin to those seen in heavily polluted Chinese metropolitan areas. This situation prompted warnings for residents to remain indoors. The primary culprit for the poor air quality in Vancouver was attributed to rampant wildfires in British Columbia, which generated small particles that irritated people's lungs.
Similarly, Beijing, a sprawling Chinese city, is notorious for its poor air quality, often shrouded in smog for extended periods. China's air pollution is rooted in its decades of rapid economic growth. While the specific contribution of Chinese manufacturing to pollution on the West Coast is unclear, it is reasonable to assume that industrial activities could be a factor, given the well-documented issues with air quality in Chinese cities.
The comparison between Vancouver and Chinese cities in terms of air pollution underscores the severity of the situation in Vancouver during the wildfire season. It is important to recognize that the sources and underlying causes of pollution differ between the two regions. Vancouver's air quality issues during this period were primarily driven by the wildfires, whereas Chinese cities like Beijing grapple with pollution resulting from various factors, including industrial activities and vehicle emissions.
It is worth noting that the air pollution levels in Vancouver are typically within acceptable ranges. However, sensitive groups may still experience symptoms with prolonged exposure, and it is recommended to limit outdoor activities during periods of heightened pollution. The presence of wildfires or other exceptional events can significantly impact the air quality in the region.
In summary, while there is no direct evidence linking Chinese manufacturing to pollution on the West Coast, the comparison between Vancouver and Chinese cities during Vancouver's wildfire season highlights the impact of various factors on air quality. It serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between natural and human-made contributors to air pollution and the potential for even relatively pristine regions to experience poor air quality under certain conditions.
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Foreign sources contribute to mercury deposition in Canada
In 2015, health authorities in Vancouver, British Columbia, issued a warning to residents to stay indoors due to poor air quality. The air quality had decreased to levels comparable to major Chinese cities like Beijing, which are known for their poor air quality. This was attributed to rampant wildfires in the province, which released small particles into the air that can irritate the lungs.
While Canadian emissions are relatively small compared to other major mercury-emitting countries, foreign sources significantly contribute to mercury deposition in Canada. Numerical modelling predictions suggest that over 95% of anthropogenic mercury deposited in Canada comes from sources outside the country. The largest contributing regions are East Asia (40%), the United States (17%), Europe (8%), and South Asia (6%). Human activities such as coal burning, metal mining, waste incineration, and cement production release mercury into the atmosphere, and these activities have contributed to the observed mercury levels in Canada.
The complex processes involved in the transport, deposition, transformation, and bioaccumulation of mercury mean that reductions in emissions from foreign sources may not immediately result in decreased mercury levels in the Canadian environment. However, studies indicate that emission reductions from foreign sources will lead to reduced mercury levels in biota in Canada.
In Ontario, the majority of mercury deposited in the province also comes from sources outside of Canada. Ontario has made significant progress in reducing mercury emissions, with overall emissions decreasing by more than 90% since 1990, largely due to the closure of coal-fired power plants. However, some mercury levels in fish appear to be increasing, and the province continues to work on minimizing the presence and impacts of mercury to protect human health and the environment.
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Westerly winds drive Chinese airborne chemicals to North America
In 2015, forest fires in British Columbia caused Metro Vancouver's air quality to dip to levels comparable to those found in major Chinese cities like Beijing. While this was a rare occurrence, it is not uncommon for air pollutants from China to travel to North America.
The westerlies, or prevailing westerlies, are winds that blow from west to east in the middle latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees latitude. They are strongest in the winter hemisphere and weakest in the summer hemisphere. The westerlies play a crucial role in carrying warm equatorial waters and winds to the western coasts of continents, particularly in the southern hemisphere due to its vast oceanic expanse.
During the spring, dust and sand storms in the Gobi Desert and northern and western China kick up dust and sand particles, which are then blown eastward by the westerly winds. As these dust and sand particles move towards heavily industrialized areas in northeast China, they pick up air pollution particles, including sulfates, soot, organic compounds, dust, fly ash, and other harmful materials. These industrial pollutants are carried further east into South Korea, Japan, and eventually North America.
The movement of pollutants from Asia to North America has been documented by various sources, including satellite images and weather observation stations. For example, weather observation stations on Mount Bachelor in Oregon have detected soot, dust, ozone, and nitrous oxides moving across the Pacific. Additionally, satellites have captured images of two-mile-thick blankets of pollutants spreading across large swaths of Asia.
While the impact of Asian pollutants on North American air quality was initially considered insignificant, there is growing evidence that these pollutants can have measurable effects. David Kirby, writing in Discover magazine, highlights the concern over industrial pollutants, particularly airborne mercury released from coal-burning power and industrial plants, which can enter the global cycle and impact air quality in North America.
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Frequently asked questions
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that pollution from China is negatively impacting the air quality in Vancouver, BC. The study attributes this to the manufacturing of goods in China for the global export market.
Chinese factories emit nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, which cause smog. The export-related pollution also includes black carbon, which is linked to asthma and cancer.
Winds called the "westerlies" carry airborne chemicals across the ocean, leading to spikes in contaminants in North America.
