Domtar is looking at installing an air quality monitor on the North Shore to help keep track of levels off-site.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
April 02, 2014 - 12:51 PM
KAMLOOPS — Though complaints are down, Domtar continues to closely monitor odours from the factory and is even looking at adding an additional air quality monitor near McArthur Island.
Kristin Dangelmaier, Environmental Manager for the Kamloops mill, says there appears to be a direct correlation between the reduction in number of calls and the closure of one of the mills last year but the increase in sensitivity to any odours has increased because of the cleaner air as well.
“It's a relative parameter,” she says. “When there's a significant change people will notice.”
She explains levels of odour causing emissions have been reduced significantly over the last several years but because the daily 'background odour' is now significantly less it takes less emission levels before people notice. Essentially there are less smells in the air so it takes very little to notice a change and when people notice, they are even more likely to complain.
“There is actually hourly data available right now... it covers all parameters of concern, identifies concentrations or levels relevant in terms of human health,” Dangelmaier says. “It's more meaningful than a value off a single point source at the pulp mill.”
There is currently one active monitoring station in Kamloops that shows hourly data on bcairquality.ca. Click 'What's the air like today?', then choose Kamloops on the map and then the station you want to see reading for. The station, located on top of the Federal Building downtown, show hourly air quality readings and ratings.
Dangelmaier says the ministry is looking at relocating the Brock station and to ensure readings are still made closer to the mill, where many of the complaints originate from, the company is in talks with a homeowner near McArthur Island for putting a monitoring station on his property.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014