CEMA Recommendations for Air Contaminant Emissions

FORT MCMURRAY, AB, Oct. 20 /CNW/ - The Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA) announces an Air Contaminant's Management Framework. CEMA's Trace Metals and Air Contaminants (TMAC) Working Group develops management frameworks to manage and control regional trace metals and air contaminants and protect human and ecosystem health in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Effects of air emissions on human health, wildlife, and vegetation were identified as priority themes to be addressed.

The key recommendation is a formal comprehensive review of regional air quality, when the Air Contaminant Management Framework is adopted and repeated every five years. The review will be undertaken by a multi-stakeholder Regional Advisory Panel, led and appointed by the Government of Alberta and will identify regional priority air contaminants for management consideration. Criteria for selection of priority air contaminants need not be limited to human health but, at the discretion of the Panel, may include ecological health risks, odours, and cumulative effects of multiple air contaminants. The Panel will recommend to Alberta's Ambient Air Quality Objectives Stakeholder Advisory Council that provincial objectives be developed for priority air contaminants. For priority air contaminants not selected for development of provincial objectives the Panel will determine whether or not to proceed with a regional risk assessment. Emissions of priority air contaminants with provincial air quality objectives or a provincial or regional management framework will continue to be managed following existing Alberta Environment management practices, policies, and procedures leading to regional emissions management recommendations.

"This excellent product was achieved through the hard work and dedication of the members of the Trace Metals Air Containments Working Group," said John Dennis , TMAC Co-Chair. "CEMA is committed to providing valuable scientific research on the cumulative effects of oil sands development. These recommendations provide solid advice to Alberta Government on air quality and quantity."

CEMA is a nonprofit association based in Fort McMurray, Alberta. CEMA's mandate is to study the cumulative environmental effects of industrial development in the region and produce recommendations guidelines and management frameworks. Since its inception CEMA has produced hundreds of reports and 9 Management Frameworks.

For a complete copy of the Air Contaminant's Management Framework Please visit www.cemaonline.ca.

For further information: Corey Hobbs, Communications Director, Cumulative Environmental Management Association, [phone], [email protected]