Sep
6
By Marg Gardiner
In the April 2009 James Bay Beacon issue, there was an article titled, "the air we breathe," since then, pollution created by cruise-ships worsened, and then improved.
A summary of the air quality findings undertaken by B.C. Environment, published in December 2009 concerning the assessment of an 89-day sampling of air pollutants compared James Bay measures with five other locations in BC, including Trail, home of a smelter, and Prince George, home of a pulp mill. With one exception, the James Bay measures of Sulphur Dioxide (S02) pollution levels were second only to levels found in Trail BC. The exception was the "daily" maximum, James Bay levels being the highest.
"State of the Air", the BC Lung Association's 2015 report of Air Quality in BC for 2014, again has Victoria between the Smelter and Pulp Mill. However, the findings, with James Bay having the 4 highest 1-hour maxima S02 reading among the 28 sites reported in the province, do not reflect the significant positive changes that have occurred in the air quality in the region since 2012 or the levels achieved this season.
In 2010, the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) Health Review and Response to the 2009 air quality monitoring, validated and confirmed resident reports, fears and responses to noxious emissions. The VIHA response confirmed that episodic elevated SO2 levels negatively affect those with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or other respiratory conditions. Residents saw the particulate matter, soot, falling upon them. Many had sore eyes and sore throats when ships were in port, and were concerned about children and shut-in elderly neighbours.
VIHA recommendations, including the recommendation to use contractual obligation to forward the use of low sulphur fuels were not implemented. With continuing pressure from Dr Stanwick, a single SO2 monitor was placed in James Bay for the 2011 season. The installation of this monitor led to greatly reduced SO2 levels in James Bay; the industry knew it was being monitored. S02 levels in 2011 and for the first part of 2012 were approximately 40% lower than those experienced in 2009.
Low sulphur fuel usage was to be mandated through the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) agreement to be implemented mid-season 2012. However, there were "outs" in the agreement, which would permit sidestepping of the requirement. JBNA, having been told that the cruise-industry was intending to use "averaging" rather than use low sulphur fuel, countered the "out" through discussions with Transport Canada officials in Ottawa, responsible for the development of the ECA program. Officials had not been aware of the situation in Victoria. JBNA provided study results and other details. Transport Canada closed the gap.
More stringent regulations, effective this year, requiring the use of 0.1% sulphur fuel or equivalent method of achieving low SO2 levels, have resulted in better air quality this season.
2015: Cruise-Ship Emissions in Victoria (May 1 through August 15):
The highest SO2 level measured this year, in James Bay and Topaz, is significantly lower than in previous years.
Resident reports of ship stench (less frequent than previous years).
Yellow-brown plume sometimes seen.
Whiffs of black-smoke continue.
Cruise-ship emissions remain significant contributors to S02 and particulate matter for the region as measured at Topaz. SOx, NOx, and PM levels are now well within guideline levels.
Although residents who are sensitive to chemical exposures continue to detect and experience emissions, the current SOx and NOx measurements are lower than advisory levels and provincial and federal targets, hence serious health impacts are not anticipated.
The JBNA Board thanks those who believed in our residents, who were the leads for their respective departments and worked to ensure that evolving environmental regulation would be respected in James Bay, and Victoria. To Dr Richard Stanwick and his VIHA associates Michael Pennock and Christine Bender, thank you; Earle Plaine of the BC Ministry of the Environment and Eleanor Setton, Spatial Sciences Research Lab (University of Victoria), thank you; Paul Topping, Environmental Protection, Transport Canada, thank you.
Continuing air and noise pollution, and traffic congestion impacts from cruise-industry operations, will be felt by residents along the Douglas, Dallas, and Kingston/Quebec roadways as the buses, including a fleet of 30-yr old highway buses, attempt to service the surge of passengers coming ashore as 2-3 ships arrive within minutes of one another.
In 2006, as JBNA assumed the challenge of air-shed pollution in James Bay, one of the priorities presented to the VIHA-assembled team was the assessment of floatplane and helicopter emissions, with a focus on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The study of local health impacts, associated with the VOCs on residents near Ogden Point and the middle harbour has been identified as a gap in knowledge, with studies being recommended.
Looking ahead, air-shed issues will once again focus on what was sought at the outset, assessing floatplane and helicopter emissions.