"Atmospheric Visibility: A National Air Quality Issue", Sep. 19 September 19, 2007

"Atmospheric Visibility: A National Air Quality Issue", Sep. 19

Our presentation topic is:

Atmospheric Visibility: A National Air Quality Issue
By Dr. Karen McDonald, Environmental Health Director, Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton

In the context of atmospheric particulate matter, visibility is a secondary measure of its impact. Being one of the most readily recognized indictors of poor air quality to the public, changes in visibility are recognized as changes in air pollution especially in our national parks and wilderness areas, but also in our urban environments. In addition, those particles responsible for impeding our ability to see through the atmosphere are the same ones that have can affect respiratory wellness in the human population. To address the issue of atmospheric particulate matter, Canada introduced Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) for PM2.5 in 2000. The protocol for the CWS required a national review of particulate matter measurements and science that was undertaken in 2003 and included in a trans-boundary assessment of particulate matter science. In the same time frame, the United States has completed its update of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5 in 2006 following a substantive review process, and making steps forward in the implementation of the Regional Haze Rule since 1999. The information in these reviews is shared and placed in context for the upcoming Canadian Smog Assessment 2008. Recent advances appropriate to Canada are applied to the investigation of the relationship of PM2.5 to visibility in selected regions of Canada for which there are data available. Recent Canadian enhanced monitoring efforts for PM speciation will be used to identify PM species that contribute to regional visibility degradation.

When: September 19, 2007 from 11:30 to 13:00, Wednesday
Where: downtown Ramada Hotel, 708 8 Ave. SW, second floor

Tickets: $20 for students, $30 for AWMA members, and $40 for others. You pay at the registration desk from 11:30 to 12:00 – if you e-mail registered by 14 September.

We accept cash, cheques, and Master Card and VISA. Sorry, we do not accept debit cards.

RSVP: By September 14, Thursday. Please note that we reserve the right to invoice you if you registered, but did not cancel your registration prior to this date – regardless of whether you did not attend.

Contact for Registration: mailto:kurt.hansen@amec.com