CASA Particulate Matter and Ozone Management Framework

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CASA Particulate Matter and Ozone Management
Framework
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Canada Wide Standard for Particulate Matter and
Ozone

• Particulate matter (PM) and Ozone (O3) negatively
  impact air quality in Alberta and across Canada.
• Scientific studies indicate that there are
  significant health and environmental effects
  associated with these pollutants.
• By reducing high levels of PM and O3 and ensuring
  that areas with low ambient levels are maintained
  or improved human health and environmental risks
  can be reduced or eliminated.
• In June 2000 the federal, provincial and
  territorial governments (except Quebec) signed
  the Canada-Wide Standard (CWS) for PM and O3,
  thereby agreeing to national ambient standards
  for PM2.5 and Ozone.
• Each jurisdiction is responsible for meeting the
  CWS and reporting on achievement once the target
  dates are reached. The CWS for PMO3 must be
  achieved by 2010.
• The CWS calls for the development and
  implementation of jurisdictional implementation
  plans as the primary mechanism for achieving the
  CWS, as well as programs for pollution
  prevention, keeping clean areas clean and
  continuous improvement to manage ambient levels
  below the CWS.

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CASA Particulate Matter and Ozone Management
Framework
After the CWS was signed, the Clean Air Strategic
Alliance (CASA) was asked by Alberta Environment
to form a multi-stakeholder project team to make
recommendations on implementation of the CWS in
the province. The CASA project team developed
a PM Ozone Management Framework that addresses
the CWS with the goal of ensuring that ambient
air quality for all Albertans remains as clean as
possible. PM Ozone Management Framework was
accepted by the CASA Board of Director and
published in September 2003. The PM Ozone
Management Framework incorporates a balance of
minimizing risks to human health and the
environment and the costs of reducing
emissions. The CASA framework has three
triggers and four corresponding action levels.
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CASA Particulate Matter and Ozone Management
Framework

• PMO3 management plans are aimed at preventing
  future exceedences of the CWS trigger. The plans
  will consider
• human and environmental health outcomes
• impacts of population growth and industrial
  activity
• air quality trends and economic factors
• The PM and Ozone Management Framework builds on
  many initiatives that are already helping to
  manage and/or reduce ambient concentrations of PM
  and ozone in Alberta.
• The impact of these initiatives will be taken
  into account when the management plans are
  developed, with the need for any additional
  actions to be identified.
• Stakeholders will deliver air quality management
  plans by the end of 2008
• Designed to facilitate multi-stakeholder
  responsibility for air quality
• Implemented by various levels of government, the
  private sector and non-government organizations
• Uses a variety of regulatory and non-regulatory
  mechanisms
• Balance, flexibility, transparency,
  accountability and cost-effectiveness are
  cornerstones of the
• framework.

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What is Particulate Matter ?

• PM is a major component of smog.
• Particulate matter refers to microscopic solid
  and liquid particles that are suspended in the
  air.
• Primary PM is formed directly (forest fires, road
  dust) while Secondary PM is formed in the
  atmosphere from precursor emissions (industry,
  transportation).
• Precursors of secondary PM are nitrogen oxides
  (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ammonia (NH3).
• PM can be differentiated on the basis of size.
  The CWS is aimed at PM2.5, which refers to
  particles equal to or less than 2.5 microns.
• Extensive scientific studies have linked PM2.5
  with human health effects including chronic
  bronchitis, asthma, and premature deaths.
• PM2.5 is composed of a higher proportion of
  secondary particles.

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What is Ozone ?

• Ozone is a major component of smog.
• Ground-level ozone is a bluish gas that forms
  just above the earths surface.
• Ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is
  formed by the reaction of VOCs and NOx in the
  presence of heat and sunlight.
• Ground-level ozone, to which the CWS applies,
  forms readily in the atmosphere, most often
  during periods of hot summer weather
• Ozone is associated with negative human health
  effects and vegetation damage.
• Sources of ozone include vehicle and industrial
  emissions (anthropogenic) and natural sources

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Relative Percent PMO3 Precursor Emissions by
Province/Region
Source Environment Canada (2007)

• Alberta accounts for the greatest proportion of
  emissions of VOC and NOx in Canada.

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Ozone Concentrations and Action Triggers

• Ambient PM Ozone concentrations are measured
  directly throughout the province at numerous air
  monitoring stations.
• Measured ozone concentrations are approaching or
  exceeding the CWS in several areas in the
  province.
• Natural sources of PMO3 are not included in the
  determination of action triggers.
• Ozone levels in the Edmonton, Calgary and Red
  Deer regions have triggered the management plan
  action.
• Concentrations of PM2.5 have not triggered the
  management plan action.
• Ozone management plans will help to keep PM2.5
  levels below the CWS and below the management
  plan action trigger level.

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ACAA
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Summary of the PM Ozone Management Framework

• Ozone is an air pollutant that can have serious
  negative effect on human health and the natural
  environment.
• Ozone concentrations have been measured at levels
  that trigger the requirement for a Ozone
  Management Plan for the Edmonton CMA.
• The success of the framework depends on the
  active participation of stakeholders.
• The framework balances
• economic, social, health and environmental
  considerations
• the need for clear ground rules and reasonable
  costs with flexibility to address local
  circumstances
• the need for a manageable and accountable system
  for managing PM and ozone in Alberta and
  providing opportunities for stakeholders to
  participate in the system
• and the desire to keep clean areas clean and
  continuously improve air quality.

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For more detailed information on the CASA
Particulate Matter and Ozone Management
Framework Visit the CASA website www.casahome.or
g ACAA website www.capitalairshed.ca FAP
website www.fortair.org WCAS website www.wcas.c
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