Metro Vancouver changing the way it issues air quality warnings
Metro Vancouver is implementing a new way to alert people of the risk level when issuing air quality warnings.
The Metro Vancouver Regional District will now use a colour-coded system to align its Air Quality Warning System to match Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)’s weather alerts.
Last November, ECCC introduced a colour-coded system to make it easier for people to understand how severe the weather might be quickly and its possible risks at a glance.
Now, Metro Vancouver is using the same method. It will issue warnings in yellow to indicate a high health risk. If it is a very high health risk, it will be issued as orange.
“These levels provide clearer information about the degree of health risk and the actions people may need to take,” wrote Metro Vancouver in an information bulletin.
Metro Vancouver issues air quality warnings for the Lower Fraser Valley airshed, which includes Metro Vancouver and parts of the Fraser Valley Regional District.
In case you’re wondering, air quality in the region looks pretty good right now (low-risk) based on the Air Quality Health Index. IQAir is also reporting that the air quality in Vancouver is good, albeit with a high pollen count, particularly due to grass.