The B.C. government is sending a mobile air-monitoring lab to Tomslake, which is just south of Dawson Creek, to address concerns of area residents about the impact that oil and gas activities have on the air quality in the region.
Blair Lekstrom, B.C.’s minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources, told BIV Tuesday night that the lab is not a public relations response to the bombings in the area.
Rather, he said residents were voicing their concerns about air quality before the bombings started.
“I think what it does is bring piece of mind to the people who live in the area,” said Lekstrom.
He added that the government has taken steps to reduce flaring in the area as well.
“That has always been a concern.”
The mobile lab is scheduled to be stationed outside of the community hall in Tomslake for three weeks and then move to three other communities in the Peace region – Groundbirch, Farmington and Rolla.
The Oil and Gas Commission is also developing a long-term and air-monitoring program for the region.
The lab, which is a large cube van with weather antennas jutting up from its roof, measures common air pollutants such as black carbon, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and particulate matter.
It also measures wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity from the 10-metre, retractable hydraulic tower at the back of the van.
The government is posting data collected by the mobile air-monitoring lab online at www.bcairquality.ca/readings.