First update in 30 years to rules regarding N.S. air quality start today

CITYnews halifaf / By Mark Hodgins

The Lung Association is applauding the Nova Scotia government, as air quality standards kick in across Nova Scotia.

First announced back in April by Environment Minister Timothy Halman, the government’s updated air quality regulations will see 26 air pollutants now regulated, up from six previously, setting further limits on the amount and type of air pollution an industry can emit under the Environment Act.

According to the Environment Department, this is the first “substantive” update to these air quality regulations since 1995.

The Lung Association of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island says reducing exposure to air pollution will help lower the risk of conditions like asthma and COPD, improve health outcomes and help Nova Scotians breathe easier.

“Clean, maritime air is essential for healthy lungs,” says Robert MacDonald, president and CEO of LungNSPEI in a release. “By strengthening air quality regulations and increasing the number of pollutants being monitored, Nova Scotia is taking an important step in preventing lung disease.”

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The provincial government says the updated regulations were informed by the latest health science and the Global Air Quality Guidelines developed by the World Health Organization.

Nova Scotia currently has the highest rate of lung cancer across Canada. Each year, around 1,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer, often in the later stages. Lung cancer is also increasingly showing up in non-smokers. Researchers say air quality plays a part.

Other benefits of the increased standards include a reduction in greenhouse gases and the promotion of innovative alternatives and cleaner industry solutions.

The 26 air pollutants that will be regulated under law starting June 1 are: acrolein, ammonia, arsenic, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, chromium (hexavalent), cobalt, copper, dioxins and furans, formaldehyde, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, nitrogen dioxide, coarse particles, fine particles, total suspended particles, phenol, selenium, sulphur dioxide, total reduced sulphur, vanadium and zinc.