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Environment
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| What to do When Air Quality is Poor When you hear a Public Health Advisory or a Smog Advisory, you should minimize your exposure by reducing the amount of time that you spend outdoors, particularly in the afternoons and early evenings in the case of a Smog Advisory. Exercising vigorously outdoors may also trigger symptoms in otherwise healthy people. Some particularly sensitive individuals may feel the effects of poor air quality sooner than others and may wish to adjust their activities accordingly. Those individuals should consult with their physician for advice that is specific to their needs. Children tend to be more sensitive than adults because they breathe faster and spend more time outdoors. Reduce your child's exposure by encouraging outdoor activities early in the day when smog levels are lower. People with heart and respiratory problems may also wish to limit contact with outdoor air. Finally, limit activities that contribute to air pollution, such as taking unnecessary trips in the car. Avoid the use of gas-powered machinery and solvent-based paints, and reduce your use of electricity. Controlling Emissionsin New Brunswick As we mentioned earlier, monitoring air quality gives us a better understanding of the sources, movements and effects of substances in the air. The Clean Air Act, which provides the basis for our monitoring activity, is the legal authority for controlling sources of air emissions within the province, and enables New Brunswickers to play a more active role in commenting on regulatory issues, including monitoring results and/or interpretations based on monitoring data. In administering the Clean Air Act, the Department of Environment is guided by specific objectives or standards that limit emission levels. Looking to the future, national Canada-Wide Standards for various pollutants are also likely to have an impact on air quality management here at home. The Clean Air Act recognizes
the growing interest of New Brunswickers in air quality issues by providing
for public participation in the process of developing Air Quality Approvals
for the province's major industries. Further, it requires the Department
of Environment to provide the public with increased access to information,
including monitoring data. The Clean Air Act also provides for
public participation opportunities in the setting of air quality objectives. What does the Clean Air Act mean for you? It means that you now have greater access to a range of information, and specific opportunities to comment on air quality management issues. The Clean Air Act came into force in December 1997 and is the Department's primary tool for managing and regulating air quality in the province. The Act is unique among the Department's other legislation because it provides the public with an opportunity to comment directly on the review of:
To encourage your involvement, the Clean Air Act requires that the Department of Environment provide access to information by maintaining a "Register" which, among other things, includes information about Approval holders, and is available from all provincial Environment offices. Currently the Register consists of a combination of paper, computer and Web-based files and documents. Any comments you wish to make regarding new, renewed or amended Approvals or draft air quality objectives will become part of the record of review by the Minister of the Environment in making air quality management decisions. For more information about the public participation process under the Clean Air Act, visit our Web site at www.gnb.ca/0009/0355/0005/index-e.asp, or call our public participation officer at (506) 453-3700. |
