FVRD toxic pollutants report points finger at diesel emissions

Diesel emissions present the highest health risk according to an FVRD assessment on toxic air pollutants.

Environmental services coordinator Rebecca Abernethy says the risk of negative health effects from diesel exhaust is higher than Health Canada’s threshold.

This report assessed pollutants not typically measured by the air quality monitoring stations and don’t get monitored on an annual basis.

Abernethy says that’s something that maybe should change.

“We have found that there is a potential for some improvements to be suggested to the network in terms of which toxic pollutants are measured, where, and how often.”

Abernethy says the FVRD is working with the province and other agencies to try and find ways to cut down on the emissions from diesel engines.