Data does not support doctors’ claim that Kamloops’ air quality is getting worse
Wednesday, June 25th, 2014A group of Kamloops doctors say Kamloops’ air quality can’t bear another polluter like the proposed Ajax copper and gold mine, but a fact sheet published to back their arguments appears to misrepresent some key data.
In a new pamphlet, Kamloops Physicians for a Healthy Environment points out the city has levels of PM2.5 — fine particulate matter that can cross from lungs to bloodstream when inhaled — above the provincial target of eight micrograms per cubic metre.
PM2.5 has been linked to heart disease and various forms of cancer. The World Health Organization designates it as a class-one carcinogen, the same class given to tobacco smoking.
However, Kamloops’ PM2.5 levels are below Canadian, U.S. and international thresholds.
According to a report from the B.C. Lung Association released last week, Kamloops levels were at 8.9 micrograms in 2013.
To read full report from Andrea Klassen, click link above
