Southwest GTA Air
Filed Under: Air | Local Projects
August 17, 2011
Ontario Announces Pilot Project in Oakville-Clarkson
June 21, 2011
The ministry has also released the 2009 Clarkson Area Air Monitoring Results for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) conducted as part of the Clarkson Airshed Study. This report used a sampling method developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Unfortunately, the sampling method was recently deemed unreliable and as such, the report is available for information purposes only as the data is now unreliable.
In 2011, the ministry will complete additional monitoring using a different, proven methodology using the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile air monitoring unit for VOCs. Regular compliance inspections of industrial facilities in the Oakville-Clarkson area will continue, supplemented by the use of infra-red camera technology capable of identifying VOC stack emissions.
Ontario’s air quality has improved as noted in the 2009 Air Quality Report. Although there is variability from year to year, ministry data for Oakville show concentrations of PM2.5 decreased 53 per cent from 2003-2009 and nitrogen dioxide decreased 19 per cent from 2004-2009 (no 2003 data available).
The Ontario government has been working in the Southwest Greater Toronto Area (Southwest GTA) community to study and address air quality concerns in that region.
Work began in 2000, with a multi-year study of the Clarkson Airshed (an area of approximately 40 square kilometres surrounding the Clarkson area of Mississauga). The Clarkson Airshed Study looked at how emissions from local industries, vehicles, residences and sources outside the study area contribute to air quality in the Clarkson area. This included identifying sources of pollutants and looking at the data from pollutants present in the air.
In 2009, the Ontario government announced a plan designed to reduce air pollution and industrial energy consumption in the Southwest GTA.
A component of the plan was the creation of the Southwest GTA Air Quality Task Force. The task force developed an action plan to improve air quality in the Southwest GTA, specifically in the broader Oakville-Clarkson Airshed.
The task force was appointed in November 2009 and delivered its action plan to the Minister of the Environment in June 2010.
Learn more
- Air Quality Task Force
- Task Force Action Plan
- Clarkson Airshed Study
- Report of the Air Quality Task Force to the Minister of the Environment: Southwest Greater Toronto Area, Oakville-Clarkson Airshed (PDF)
August 17, 2011
Ontario Announces Pilot Project in Oakville-Clarkson
June 21, 2011
The ministry has also released the 2009 Clarkson Area Air Monitoring Results for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) conducted as part of the Clarkson Airshed Study. This report used a sampling method developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Unfortunately, the sampling method was recently deemed unreliable and as such, the report is available for information purposes only as the data is now unreliable.
In 2011, the ministry will complete additional monitoring using a different, proven methodology using the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile air monitoring unit for VOCs. Regular compliance inspections of industrial facilities in the Oakville-Clarkson area will continue, supplemented by the use of infra-red camera technology capable of identifying VOC stack emissions.
Ontario’s air quality has improved as noted in the 2009 Air Quality Report. Although there is variability from year to year, ministry data for Oakville show concentrations of PM2.5 decreased 53 per cent from 2003-2009 and nitrogen dioxide decreased 19 per cent from 2004-2009 (no 2003 data available).
