Category:
Environment
Environment
While ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere occurs naturally, additional ozone at the ground level is a pollutant. It forms through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. Whistler has remained below the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard of 63 parts per billion (ppb) since 2005, ensuring that human and environmental health is not negatively impacted.
Why we monitor this
Concentration of ground level ozone for Whistler measures the regional impacts on air quality, which can impact human and environmental health within Whistler and beyond. Ozone concentration is important to measure from both a health perspective as well as attractiveness as a resort destination. Exposure to ground-level ozone (hereafter ozone) can reduce lung function and cause inflammation of airways, which can increase respiratory symptoms and aggravate asthma. These effects are linked to more emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and absenteeism, and to higher health care costs.
What this measures
This indicator measures ground level ozone in Whistler and compares local results to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality (CAAQ) maximum objective. Ozone forms through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides (as a result of combustion) and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight and is harmful to both human and ecological health.
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