Rash of ambient air exceedances attributed to nearby construction projects
Four incidents recorded throughout six-week period in May and June
By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express
A quarter of ambient air exceedences in the vicinity of the Durham York Energy Centre have been attributed to nearby construction.
The exceedences happened over a six-week period in May and June, and were reported to regional council on Aug. 10.
There have been three such exceedences near the Rundle Road air monitoring station in the past year.
However, regional manager of waste planning Gio Anello says the most recent are a bit different.
“The situation we had at the Rundle Road Station was they were doing a bit of road work, and there was also some work [at the Owasco business location, that is currently under construction],” Anello says.
The first total suspended particle (TSP) exceedance came on May 2, exceed regulated levels by 70 per cent.
The second came on May 14, an exceedance of 13 per cent. The third, measured on June 1, exceeded regulated levels by 14 per cent.
The fourth and final exceedance came on June 19, exceeding the Ontario Ambient Air Quality Standard by 36 per cent.
However, Anello says these exceedances were caused by heavy levels of dust in the area, and thus did not represent a significant risk to human health.
When an exceedance occurs, the region is required to investigate and send a report to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Anello says because they were expecting a number of incidents in this time frame, the ministry allowed for them to create one specific report.
“We asked the ministry for an accommodation. We understand where it was coming from and we understand there was no risk,” he says.
Anello says he does not anticipate any more exceedances to relate to the work.