AIR QUALITY HEALTH INDEX
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AIR MONITORING STATIONS
View data from each station:
- Fort McKay (AMS 1)
- Mildred Lake (AMS 2)
- Lower Camp Met Tower (AMS 3)
- Buffalo Viewpoint (AMS 4)
- Mannix (AMS 5)
- Patricia McInnes (AMS 6)
- Athabasca Valley (AMS 7)
- Fort Chipewyan (AMS 8)
- Barge Landing (AMS 9)
- Albian Mine Site (AMS 10)*
- Lower Camp (AMS 11)
- Millennium (AMS 12)
- Syncrude UE-1 (AMS 13)
- Anzac (AMS 14)
- CNRL Horizon (AMS 15)
- Albian Muskeg River (AMS 16)*
*Note: AMS 10 was retired due to mining in the location. It has been replaced with AMS 16 which is 4km SE of the former AMS 10 site.
Human Exposure Monitoring
Following internal and external scientific peer reviews of the Human Exposure Monitoring Program (HEMP), conducted in 2009, WBEA refocused HEMP toward odour detection and chemistry, and a new program commenced in July 2010.
As part of the new HEMP, WBEA air quality data now contributes to Environment Canada’s (EC) Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). The AQHI is an index designed to explain the effect that changes in air quality have on health. Data from WBEA community air monitoring stations is being used to create the AQHI for this region. WBEA is also investigating an addendum to the AQHI that will account for reduced sulphurs that contributed to odours in the region.
In 2009, WBEA evaluated new odour-related measurement technology. A Pneumatic Focusing Gas Chromatograph (PFGC) was installed at AMS #2 (Mildred Lake) for testing. This instrument can simultaneously detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sulphur-containing compounds. In addition to near-continuous monitoring for a range of VOCs, the PFGC can also provide speciation information for a wide range of inorganic and organic sulphur compounds. Following the initial testing phase, this technology became operational at AMS#1-Fort McKay, in July 2010.
Discussions are also underway with ODOTEC Inc., specialists in the measurement and monitoring of odours, to put in place an electronic nose, at AMS# 1-Fort McKay. The “e-nose” will measure the strength and frequency of odours in Fort McKay and should be in place in early 2011.
In July 2010, WBEA met with the Alberta Health Services regional medical health officers regarding WBEA's odour measurement activities. The regional medical health officer now has access to WBEA’s near real time 5 minute average air monitoring data and can use these data to inform public health announcements.
WBEA believes that the renewed HEMP will better meet the needs of the residents of the RMWB by providing information on the health implications of air quality, quantifying odours, and providing the regional medical health officer with direct access to WBEA air quality data. WBEA’s HEMP will continue to look for innovative ways to monitor, quantify and report odour information to our communities.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Randy Visser, HEMP Committee Chair at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or via telephone at (780) 334-4261.