Ambient Levels of Fine Particulate Matter

• National ambient levels of fine particulate matter
• Regional ambient levels of fine particulate matter
• Ambient levels of fine particulate matter at monitoring stations
• Related indicators and other information

National ambient levels of fine particulate matter

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is composed of minute solid particles and tiny liquid droplets that remain suspended in the air. PM_2.5 is emitted directly to air from cars, trucks, home firewood-burning activities, industry, forest fires and burning wastes. It can also form in the air as a result of reactions involving other pollutants such as sulphur oxides (SO_x), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia (NH₃). When inhaled deeply into the lungs, even small amounts can cause serious health problems (cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Fine particulate matter, in the form of haze, can also reduce visibility and cause adverse effects on vegetation and structures. Along with ground-level ozone (O₃), PM_2.5 is one of the two major components of smog.

In 2010, the average concentration in Canada of fine particulate matter in the air was 8.7 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), 24% higher than in 2009.^[1] The likely factors contributing to this increase include the forest fire episodes in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Quebec; transboundary pollution from the United States; and a warm and dry year in many parts of Canada compared to 2009. Overall, between 2000 and 2010, there was no significant increasing or decreasing trend detected in the national ambient PM_2.5 concentration.

Fine particulate matter concentrations, Canada, 2000 to 2010

Note: The national PM_2.5 indicator is based on the annual population-weighted average of the 24-hour daily average concentrations recorded at 66 monitoring stations across Canada during the warm season (April 1 to September 30). A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program; and Statistics Canada (2012) 2011 Census of Population.

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Regional ambient levels of fine particulate matter

• Atlantic Canada
• Southern Quebec
• Southern Ontario
• Prairies and northern Ontario
• British Columbia

Atlantic Canada

In Atlantic Canada, the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in outdoor air was 7.4 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) in 2010, 3% lower than in 2009.^[2] No significant increasing or decreasing trend was detected between 2000 and 2010.

Fine particulate matter concentrations, Atlantic Canada,  2000 to 2010

Note: The fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) indicator is based on the annual population-weighted average of the 24-hour daily average concentrations recorded at 6 monitoring stations across Atlantic Canada during the warm season (April 1 to September 30). A trend line is displayed and a trend reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program; and Statistics Canada (2012) 2011 Census of Population.

Southern Quebec

In southern Quebec, the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in 2010 was 10.1 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), 21% higher than in 2009.^[3] Possible causes for the increase in 2010 include a relatively dry summer and the influence from forest fires in the spring-summertime period. No significant increasing or decreasing trend was detected between 2000 and 2010.

Fine particulate matter concentrations, southern Quebec, 2000 to 2010

Note: The fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) indicator is based on the annual population-weighted average of the 24-hour daily average concentrations recorded at 11 monitoring stations across southern Quebec during the warm season (April 1 to September 30). A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program; and Statistics Canada (2012) 2011 Census of Population.

Southern Ontario

In southern Ontario, the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in 2010 was 7.9 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), or 27% higher than in 2009. A declining trend was detected from 2000 to 2010 and represents a decrease in concentration of 31% over that period. A dry and very warm year, together with transboundary pollution from the United States may have contributed to the increase in 2010.

Fine particulate matter concentrations, southern Ontario, 2000 to 2010

Note: The fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) indicator is based on the annual population-weighted average of the 24-hour daily average concentrations recorded at 23 monitoring stations across southern Ontario during the warm season (April 1 to September 30). A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program; and Statistics Canada (2012) 2011 Census of Population.

Prairies and northern Ontario

In the Prairies and northern Ontario, the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in 2010 was 11.2 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), or 56% higher than in 2009.^[4] 2010 forest fire activity was an important factor in this increase. No significant increasing or decreasing trend was detected between 2000 and 2010.

Fine particulate matter concentrations, Prairies and northern Ontario, 2000 to 2010

Note: The fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) indicator is based on the annual population-weighted average of the 24-hour daily average concentrations recorded at 13 monitoring stations across the Prairies during the warm season (April 1 to September 30). A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2011) The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program; and Statistics Canada (2011) 2011 Census of Population.

British Columbia

In British Columbia, the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in 2010 was 5.0 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), or 13% lower than in 2009. Most of the reductions occurred around Vancouver. No significant increasing or decreasing trend was detected between 2000 and 2010.

Fine particulate matter concentrations, British Columbia, 2000 to 2010

Note:  The fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) indicator is based on the annual population-weighted average of the 24-hour daily average concentrations recorded at 13 monitoring stations across British Columbia during the warm season (April 1 to September 30).  A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level. 
Source: Environment Canada (2012) The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program; and Statistics Canada (2012) 2011 Census of Population.

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Ambient levels of fine particulate matter at monitoring stations

The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program provides detailed information on air pollutant concentrations from monitoring stations across Canada. Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) provide access to this indicator through an online interactive map. With the CESI interactive map, you can drill down to local areas and obtain details on PM_2.5 concentrations at specific monitoring stations.

Related indicators

• Ambient Levels of Ground-level Ozone
• Ambient Levels of Sulphur Dioxide
• Ambient Levels of Nitrogen Dioxide
• Ambient Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds
• International Comparison: Urban Air Quality

Other information

• Impacts of Air Pollution
• Environment Canada – Smog

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[1] Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) monitors based on newer technologies are gradually being deployed across the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program to replace older instruments. So far, 22 of the 66 monitoring stations used in the calculation of this indicator were upgraded: 1 in 2007, 12 in 2008, 2 in 2009 and 7 in 2010. These newer methods measure a portion (semi-volatile) of the PM_2.5 mass that was not captured by the older instruments. As such, data may not be directly comparable with concentrations from previous years’ measurement with the older instruments. 

[2] Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) monitors based on newer technologies are gradually being deployed across the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program to replace older instruments. This transition is well underway in Atlantic Canada, with 1 of the 6 stations upgraded in 2007, 4 others in 2008 and 1 in 2010. These newer methods measure a portion (semi-volatile) of the PM_2.5 mass that was not captured by the older instruments. As such, data may not be directly comparable with concentrations from previous years’ measurement with the older instruments.

[3] Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) monitors based on newer technologies are gradually being deployed across the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program to replace older instruments. This transition is well underway in southern Quebec, with 8 of the 11 stations upgraded in 2008, 2 others in 2009 and 1 in 2010. These newer methods measure a portion (semi-volatile) of the PM_2.5 mass that was not captured by the older instruments. As such, data may not be directly comparable with concentrations from previous years’ measurement with the older instruments.  

[4] Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) monitors based on newer technologies are gradually being deployed across the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program to replace older instruments. This transition is well underway in the Prairies, with 5 of the 13 stations upgraded in 2010. These newer methods measure a portion (semi-volatile) of the PM_2.5 mass that was not captured by the older instruments. As such, data may not be directly comparable with concentrations from previous years’ measurement with the older instruments.