MacAleese Lane

Air Quality Study

This following information provides a summary of the data obtained from the MacAleese Lane Air Quality Study as presented by the Department of Environment. A brief description of the health effects are provided for each of the parameters tested.

Summary of results for August 31, 2009 – Sept 27, 2009

O3=Ozone; NO2=Nitrogen Dioxide; PM2.5=Particulate Matter; PM10=Particulate Matter PAH=PolycyclicAromaticHydrocarbons; BAP=Benzo(a)pyrene * TWA – time weighted average ** CARB Annual Average – 20ug/m3

Units of measure

ppb – Parts per billion
ug/m3 – micrograms (10-6) per cubic meter
ng/m3 – nanograms (10-9) per cubic meter

Risk Assessment based on the current results

The Department of Health has reviewed the results of the MacAleese Lane Air Quality Study.  Based on the low test results and zero exceedences of the guidelines, the air quality in this area does not pose significant health effects at this time.

The Department of Health will continue to review the air quality data and provide updates on any potential public health effects.  The monthly summary of results will be updated as available.

Please visit the Department of Environment website to view all of the data available including further information on sources of air pollutants of interest. 

Note that results are also available on the Department of Environment website for other parameters tested including Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Oxides, Total Reduced Sulfur, and Total Suspended Particulate.  The levels reported are so low that the Department of Health deems any potential health risk to be insignificant, therefore will not provide an interpretation of results at this time.  If at anytime the Department of Health interprets this data differently, further information will be provided in the risk assessment section.

Guidelines Standards

The province of New Brunswick compares the results of air quality data against well-known and established guideline standards.  In some cases these standards are driven for occupational level (e.g. PAHs), or levels expected that should be met by individual industries to ensure an acceptable air quality to be protective of human health.

The guideline standards are obtained from the following agencies:

• NAAQO -  National Ambient Air Quality Objective
• NBAQO - New Brunswick Air Quality Objective
• CWS - Canada Wide Standard
• OMOE - Ontario Ministry of Environment standard
• NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Association
• CARB - California Air Resources Board

Health Effects For Parameters Tested

Ozone (O3)
National Ambient Air Quality Objective: 82 ppb

Ground-level ozone is formed from pollutants released into the air from vehicle exhausts and some industrial production.  High levels of ozone can cause some health effects.

Health Effects

1. Respiratory illness

Human population studies indicate that people living in communities with high background ozone levels have experienced a greater decrease in lung function over 5 years than people living in communities with lower background levels.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

New Brunswick Air Quality Objective: 105 ppb on 24hr avg or 210 ppb on 1hr avg.

Nitrogen oxides are a mixture of gases that are composed of nitrogen and oxygen.  Nitrogen oxides can be produced commercially and are also released to the air from as a combustion gas from vehicle exhausts and some industrial production.

Health Effects

1. Irritation to eyes, nose, throat, and lungs

Particulate Matter (PM10). 

Standard per California Air Resources Board: 50ug/m3, 24-hour average

These are particles which have a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.  Particulate matter is fine particles suspended in the air (or water) and can be either be human made or natural.

Health Effects

1. Short-term exposures to particles (hours or days) can result in temporary lung irritation in healthy individuals, aggravate lung disease, causing asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and may also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. The risk of health effects is greatest in the elderly and the very young. Short-term exposures may increase mortality in those with severe cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
2. Long-term exposures of elevated levels,. When inhaled these particles evade the respiratory system's natural defenses and lodge deep in the lungs.  PM10 can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis and other lung diseases, and reduce the body's ability to fight infections. The risk of health effects is greatest in the elderly and the very young. Long term exposure to elevated concentrations of PM in sensitive population may lead to increases in premature mortality due to lung cancer, heart attack and stroke. 

Particulate Matter (PM2.5). 
Canada Wide Standard is 30 ug/m3, 24-hour average

These are particles which have a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less.  Particulate matter is fine particles suspended in the air (or water) and can be either be human made or natural.

The health effects are the similar as for Particulate Matter (PM10).  However, these finer particles can result in more severe effects as the particles can lodge deeper into the lungs. can also have a significant effect on visibility.

Health Effects

1. Short-term exposures to particles (hours or days) can result in temporary lung irritation in healthy individuals, aggravate lung disease, causing asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and may also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. The risk of health effects is greatest in the elderly and the very young. Short-term exposures may increase mortality in those with severe cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
2. Long-term exposures of elevated levels,  When inhaled these particles evade the respiratory system's natural defenses and lodge deep in the lungs.  PM10 can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis and other lung diseases, and reduce the body's ability to fight infections.  The risk of health effects is greatest in the elderly and the very young. Long term exposure to elevated concentrations of PM in sensitive population may lead to increases in premature mortality due to lung cancer, heart attack and stroke. 

Total PolycyclicAromaticHydrocarbons (PAH)
No community guideline levels for total PAH. 
However occupational safety levels exist in relevant industries

One indicator of PAH as a carcinogen is Benzo(a)Pyrene.

PAHs are a group of chemicals formed by incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, or other organics including tobacco and charbroiled meat.

Health Effects

1. Health Effects: Some PAHs including benzo(a)pyrene, are known animal carcinogens.
2. Estimates for total exposure in the United States population have been listed as 3 mg/day.

Benzo (a) pyrene (BAP)
Ontario Ministry of Environment standard is 1.1 ng/m3. 

BAP is one constituent of the total PAHs

Health Effects
Benzo[a]pyrene, is a known carcinogen