Parkland Airshed Management Zone
Air Quality Health Advisory LiftedEdmonton 2010/08/26
The provincewide air quality health advisory issued on Aug. 19 has been lifted due to improved air quality and reduced drift of smoke from forest fires in British Columbia.
“The air quality has greatly improved this week throughout the province,” said Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “If smoke does drift into Alberta from British Columbia it’s not expected to be at a level that would be hazardous to health. In the meantime, I advise anyone with asthma, bronchitis or emphysema to monitor local air quality conditions before planning any outdoor activities.”
Only trace amounts of smoke may affect air quality in Alberta over the weekend, according to Bluesky, a smoke forecasting system used by Alberta and British Columbia. The smoke tracking system can be viewed online at www.bcairquality.com/bluesky.
Smoke and fine particulate matter in the air can be absorbed deep into an individual's lungs where it can aggravate existing health conditions. People with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, or cardiovascular conditions such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure may be most affected.
In co-operation with Alberta Environment, Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Health Services monitor the air quality throughout the province. Current air quality and the Air Quality Index (AQI) can be accessed at Alberta Environment’s website at www.environment.alberta.ca/index.html, by clicking on Current Air Quality (Quick Links) or by calling 1-877-247-7333.
B.C. Smoke prompts Alberta air quality warningEdmonton 2010/08/19
Albertans are being advised to take precautions against potential health risks associated with deteriorating air quality across the province, caused by drifting smoke from forest fires in British Columbia.
“I strongly advise people with asthma, bronchitis or emphysema to remain indoors, keep their windows closed and take any preventative measures their physicians have previously recommended," said Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. "Healthy people should also avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors while the local air quality is bad. Anyone who experiences difficulty breathing should consult their physician.”
Smoke and fine particulate matter in the air can be absorbed deep into an individual's lungs where it can aggravate existing health conditions. People with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, or cardiovascular conditions such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure may be most affected. For more information on the health effects of wood smoke click on this link.
Smoke is expected to affect air quality in Alberta at least until Sunday, according to Bluesky, a smoke forecasting system used by Alberta and British Columbia. The smoke tracking system can be viewed online at www.bcairquality.com/bluesky.
In co-operation with Alberta Environment, Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Health Services will continue to monitor the air quality throughout the province. Current air quality and the Air Quality Index (AQI) can be accessed at Alberta Environment’s website at www.environment.alberta.ca/index.html, by clicking on Current Air Quality (Quick Links) or by calling 1-877-247-7333.
Residents can contact Health Link Alberta to speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465).
PAMZ Photo ContestPAMZ Region 2010/07/09
Eligibility
The contest is open to all amateur photographers that reside or work in the PAMZ region. Photos must be from the PAMZ region. Staff and Board members of PAMZ are not eligible to enter the contest.
· Adult Division: Ages 18 and up
· Youth Division: Ages up to 18
Entries and Identification
A maximum of three (3) entries per person. An entry form MUST be completed to enter. The entry forms are also available online at www.pamz.org.
1st ($300), 2nd ($200) & 3rd ($100) place prizes will be awarded. Photos will be judged the following 3 categories:
1. Atmosphere (clouds, storms, sunrises etc.)
2. Environment (nature, landscapes etc.)
3. Youth (Under 18, Atmosphere and Environment)
PAMZ appreciates all entries, but only contest winners will be contacted.
All entries must be received by 4:00 p.m. on March 1, 2011.
Mail: Parkland Airshed Management Zone,
Box 1020, Sundre, AB T0M 1X0
Email (jpeg file): monica@pamz.org
Questions contact: Monica Rosevear at 403.638.2554.
Please see the PAMZ website home page for the PAMZ region map.
PAMZ Photo Contest Poster
PAMZ Photo Contest Entry Form
Have your say on Red Deer's Vision for its Environmental FutureRed Deer 2010/06/27
Residents of Red Deer:
The City of Red Deer has created a vision and core directions for Red Deer’s environment using information they heard from you in workshops, at stakeholder meetings and online. Now they want to see if they ring true for you.
The draft vision and six core directions have each been posted in a separate discussion thread on the Lets Talk Red Deer Website. Tell them what you think!
You can also access the entire draft Situation Assessment there, which encompasses the vision and core directions.
Please invite your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to help shape Red Deer’s environmental future by passing this information on to them.
The deadline for providing your input is June 27.
Martha Kostuch Scholarship deadline approachingPAMZ Area 2010/06/17
The Martha Kostuch Scholarship deadline is approaching (July 1st). If know of a grade 12 student, going for secondary education in Environmental studies and lives in the PAMZ area have them check out this scholarship on our website under the Resources Tab
