Cowichan Valley Launches Neighbourhood Air Quality Sensors

Duncan, BC – The season of wood smoke in the Cowichan Valley has begun. Air quality can be poor during the fall and winter months because of fine particulate matter primarily from open burning and woodstove use. However, there is good news to share about progress being made.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and partners have installed air quality sensors in neighbourhoods across the Cowichan region. The sensors are intended to build awareness for air quality, provide information on the distribution of wood smoke within our communities and identify opportunities to improve the air we breathe.

“Air quality is a problem that involves many players and has broad impacts across vulnerable groups in the Cowichan,” says Chair Jon Lefebure. “The neighbourhood sensor network will help the region develop a stronger awareness of the problems and work together to establish community change for an issue that has deep roots in our history and culture.”

For several years, the Cowichan Valley has had exceedances of the national fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards based on measurements at the Duncan Cairnsmore and Deykin Avenue sites. Everyone can be part of the solution by making informed decisions in their daily lives to lower the exposure of our communities to air pollution.

In response to growing air quality concerns, the CVRD and partnering organizations have supported healthier communities, through initiatives such as developing Cowichan's Regional Airshed Protection Strategy, forming the collaborative roundtable and exploring alternatives to older wood burning appliances and open burning.

For more information on the air quality problem, current conditions and how we can improve air quality, please visit: www.cvrd.bc.ca/air.