Public Health takes an interest in air quality in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
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The Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Public Health Department will paint a new picture of the air quality of the region.
The Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Public Health Department will paint a new picture of air quality in the region.
The CIUSSS du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean indicates, in a response sent by email, that it will take the time to analyze the study published Monday in Quebec.
This study shows that exposure to fine particles leads to the premature death of 33 adults per year for the sectors of Limoilou, Vanier and Lower Town of Quebec. Added to this are 20 new cases of asthma diagnosed in children.
Without wanting to specify for the moment the scope of future studies, the Regional Public Health Department says it is aware of the concerns raised by air quality and emission sources, whether they come from industries, heating or transport.
Last November, Radio-Canada published data showing that the concentrations of fine particles measured at private Rio Tinto stations, in the sector of 'Arvida, at times exceeded the recommendations of the Ministry of the Environment. Thus, it has been learned that they have exceeded Quebec standards of 30 micrograms per cubic meter a dozen times in 2021.
The company has, however, respected its certificate of ministerial authorization which allows it to measure, and not to emit, concentrations three times higher.
It completely legally rejects up to 25 times more toxic substances in the air than a modern aluminum smelter equipped with AP60 cells.
Based on information from Gilles Munger
