SASKATCHEWAN AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED

Saskatchewan residents should breathe easy knowing that we enjoy good quality air in the province. Over the past ten years, the urban air quality measured in six Saskatchewan communities is rated as "good" to "excellent", according the Air Quality Index (AQI). These findings are summarized in the Saskatchewan Air Quality Report for 2000-2009, which has been posted on the Ministry of Environment's website. It is the first report of its kind completed in Saskatchewan.

The AQI is an indicator that provides information on the adverse effects of five common air pollutants: sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter.

"As our province continues to experience growth and with more vehicles on the road, you would expect the level of pollution would increase as well," Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "This does not appear to be happening. The majority of results show an actual decrease in average levels of pollutants, which is good news for Saskatchewan. We are committed to maintaining this trend of air quality, while at the same time encouraging business growth and expansion."

The ministry operates a network of permanent monitoring stations across Saskatchewan that measures ambient air quality in the communities of Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Swift Current and La Loche (moved to Buffalo Narrows in 2011) on a continuous basis. Data was also collected using the Saskatchewan Air Monitoring Lab (SAML), a mobile air monitoring vehicle, at Buffalo Narrows, Beauval, Ile-a-la-Cross and Loon Lake during 2007 and 2009. The convenience of a mobile lab allows the ministry to monitor air quality anywhere in the province that is accessible by road.

Under the new national Air Quality Management System, Saskatchewan is poised to develop airshed associations throughout the province in joint partnership monitoring with industry, public and non-government organizations. There are two associations currently in place - the Southeast Saskatchewan Airshed Association and the Western Yellowhead Airshed Management Zone in the west central portion of the province
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"It is an exciting time as we move forward to deliver collaborative and consensus-based air monitoring, critical to protecting the environment and ensuring an improved quality life for our citizens," Cheveldayoff said.

The report is available on the ministry's website at http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/programs-services.

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For more information, contact:

Barb Barootes
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6595
Email: barbara.barootes@gov.sk.ca