Residents of Fort McKay, situated in the heart of the oilsands in northern Alberta, are facing significant dust pollution issues according to recent research published in Atmospheric Pollution Research. The study reveals that the community is experiencing high levels of dust pollution, surpassing air quality guidelines.
The research, led by University of Toronto PhD candidate Kristin Iorio and independent researchers in Alberta, highlights that Fort McKay is particularly affected by severe dustfall events caused by large particles of dust. These events, characterized by thick, coarse grit settling over the community in intense but brief peaks, often go unnoticed by conventional monitoring methods.
During a 24-month sampling period, Fort McKay exceeded Alberta Ambient Air Quality Guidelines for dustfall 17 times monthly and exceeded the acceptable threshold nearly 20% of the time. This is significantly higher compared to other communities in the Wood Buffalo region.
The study recommends a shift in Alberta’s approach to managing and monitoring industrial dust. It suggests the establishment of formal hourly objectives for PM10 contamination to capture high-intensity dust events that are currently untracked. Additionally, ongoing dustfall collection and real-time tracking are proposed to identify dust sources and alert residents to severe pollution episodes.
Professor Ke Du from the University of Calgary supports the call for expanded monitoring and new air quality guidelines, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring to address episodic industrial pollution effectively. The study underscores the importance of addressing regulatory gaps to safeguard the health of Fort McKay residents.
While the Alberta Energy Regulator and the Fort McKay First Nation declined to comment on the study, Alberta Environment officials stated that the findings will be considered in the context of broader scientific evidence to assess the need for changes in monitoring approaches and air quality objectives. Community-led dust-monitoring efforts in Fort McKay are also being supported.
The research findings align with concerns raised by residents and researchers regarding air quality in Fort McKay over the years. The study validates the community’s longstanding worries about the impact of dust pollution on their health and well-being.