BCPB Home > Benchmarks > Rankings > Performance Indicator 14: Air Quality

Performance Indicator 14: Air Quality

Where BC Ranks, Provincial Comparison

Year

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Rank

 

 

 

 

1

1

2

4

5

2

Performance Indicator Fourteen is based on annual mean concentrations of fine particulates in the air. Lower concentrations yield better ranks. No new data were released in 2009.

Vancouver ranked second in 2006 and second on the 2001-2006 average behind Winnipeg using the concentration of PM2.5 particulates in the air.

Why It's Important
Air quality has direct effects on human health. Fine particulates may affect breathing, aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular disease, alter the body's defense systems and damage lung tissue. Both premature mortality and emergency hospital visits may increase during times of high concentrations of fine particulates.




North American Comparison

Among the cities reviewed, Saint John had the lowest annual mean concentration of fine particulates (PM2.5) in its air in 2006. Vancouver was second-lowest and Los Angeles the highest.




















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