Proposed Provincial Air Quality Objectives for

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Jerome A. Robles, Ph.D., P.Eng.Air Quality Science Specialist

Clean Air/Environmental Standards BranchMinistry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Public Webinar26 May 2021

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Presentation Outline

• Summarise key findings from the review of Provincial Air Quality Objectives- NO2 levels: status and

trends- NOx emission trends

and projections

• Proposal for new Provincial Air Quality Objectives for NO2

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Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

• Part of highly reactive compounds: Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

• Formed during combustion

• Can cause/aggravate asthma, reduce lung functions

• Produce ozone, acid rain, smog

• Non-threshold pollutant

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BackgroundBased on U.S. EPA and Canadian

National Ambient Air Quality Objective

Interim Provincial Air Quality Objective (2014)• 1-hour: 100 ppb (98th perc. of daily max

over 1-year)• Annual: 32 ppb

Based on Population Improvement Approach1% PIA (2020), 15% PIA (2025)

2020 CAAQS for NO2 (2017)• 1-hour: 60 ppb (98th perc. of daily max

over 3 years)• Annual: 17 ppb

2025 CAAQS for NO2 (2017)• 1-hour: 42 ppb (98th perc. of daily max

over 3 years)• Annual: 12 ppb

Provincial Framework for Development of Provincial AQOs

• Where CAAQS exist, use CAAQS and supporting science as starting point

• Where CAAQS do not exist, use criteria from leading Canadian/U.S. jurisdictions as starting point

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B.C.-Specific Factors for AQOs

Key ConsiderationsMore

Stringent Standard

Monitoring Capability

Vulnerable Population

Sensitive Receptors (e.g., environment)

Achievability

B.C. NO2 Levels 2019

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Vancouver –Downtown

Vancouver –Clark Dr.

New Westminster

Richmond

Achievability – Based on Trends

Prince George

Victoria Kamloops

N. Vancouver –2nd Narrows

B.C. NO2 Levels 2020

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Vancouver –Downtown

Vancouver –Clark Dr.

New Westminster

Richmond

Achievability – Based on Trends

Prince GeorgeQuesnel

Kamloops

N. Vancouver –2nd Narrows

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Fort St. John

Kamloops

Vancouver-Clark Dr

Vancouver-DowntownRichmond

Prince George

Achievability – 1 Hour Metric

2025 CAAQS

2020 CAAQSN. Vancouver-2nd Narrows

Victoria

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Fort St. John

Kamloops

Vancouver-Clark DrVancouver-Downtown

Richmond

Prince George

Achievability – Annual Metric

2025 CAAQS

2020 CAAQS

N. Vancouver-2nd Narrows

Victoria

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Location of Non-Transport NOx Emission Sources

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Weekday vs Weekend NO2 TrendsFort St John Kamloops N. Vancouver

Prince George Clark Drive Robson Square

Transport Influence Typically shows Weekday/Weekend Pattern

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Similar Weekday/Weekend

DifferentWeekday/Weekend- Transport influence

Weekday vs Weekend NO2 TrendsStatistical Test ResultWilcoxon-Mann-Whitney

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Achievability – B.C. Emission Trends

2019:204 Ktonnes

2009:210 Ktonnes

1999:318 Ktonnes

1992:259 Ktonnes

1999-2019 36%

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Transportation

Oil and Gas

Manufacturing

Electric Power

Ore and Mineral

Achievability – B.C. Emission Sources

Area Sources

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NOx Emission Sources in B.C. (2019)

Transportation (60%) Industry (37%) Area (3%)

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Transportation/Mobile Equipment

Manufacturing

Electric Power

Oil and Gas

Ores and Minerals

Annual Changes in B.C. Emissions

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2010-2019 Changes in NOx EmissionsIndustry

-7.9 Ktonnes

Transport +400 tonnes

Emission REDUCTION

Area +744 tonnes

Emission INCREASE

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2015-2019 Changes in NOx Emissions

Transport +14 Ktonnes

Emission REDUCTION

Area +1 Ktonnes

Emission INCREASE

Industry -8.3 Ktonnes

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Canada's Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Emissions Projections 2020

NOx Projections (2005-2030)

• 2020 decline due to COVID-19

• 2020-2025 trend due to increase in oil and gas, transportation

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Achievability – Trends Emission Sources

Summary of Trends in Emission Sources

• NOx Emission show decreasing trends 1999-2009, nearly flat trends 2010-2019

• NOx Emissions are mostly from the Transportation Sector mainly Diesel Engines, Marine Emissions

• Transportation sector emissions has been decreasing 1999-2009, started increasing due to marine emissions 2010-2019

• NO2 from monitored sites follows transportation source patterns

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Achievability – Trends Emission Sources

Additional Information

• Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulation• Affects engines used in Oil and Gas, and other industry• Effective 2016, first phase 2021, stringent phase 2026

• ECCC Projection (2020 Reference Case)• Significant Reductions in NOx from Oil and Gas, other

industries (boilers, heaters and engines), Transportation

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Intentions Paper Proposals

• Based on B.C. specific factors and framework• Propose to replace interim AQO with AQO based

on 2020 CAAQS

• Clarifications on the applications of AQO• Air Quality Management• Airshed management planning• Permits/authorizations• Dispersion Models

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Permits and Authorizations

ENV regulatory staff provides guidance on technical assessments including expectations on:

• ambient air quality objectives, including provincial AQOs and CAAQS,

• ambient monitoring requirements, • emission control technology requirements, and • recommended approach to dispersion modelling,

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Dispersion Models

• Proposed AQO changes the 1-hour metric from a one-year average to three-year average

• The new 1-hour metric is now consistent with CAAQS

• ENV is developing new air quality dispersion modelling guidelines to improve accuracy of the 1-hour metric. The 1-hour metric is consistent on the proposed AQO and CAAQS

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Next Steps

• Gathering of comments and feedback:• by June 18, 2021• BCAirQualityObjectives@gov.bc.ca

• Finalize the Policy for AQO Adoption (July 2021)• Decision and Implementation (Fall-Winter 2021)

Use the B.C. Air Quality Subscription Service to receive email notifications:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/latest-news-and-updates

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Questions

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