This report provides the number of exceedances of Alberta's Ambient Air Quality Objectives (or AQOs) for various pollutants.

AQOs are intended to provide protection of the environment and human health to an extent technically and economically feasible, as well as socially and politically acceptable. They are used to:

-       Report on the state of Alberta's atmospheric environment,

-       Inform Albertans on air quality through an air quality index,

-       Establish approval conditions for regulated industrial facilities,

-       Evaluate proposals for constructing facilities,

-       Guide special ambient air quality surveys, and

-       Assess compliance near major industrial air emission sources.

Alberta's current air quality objectives are available through Alberta Environment's website.

Exceedances of AQOs do occur from time to time as a result of meteorological conditions that can trap and concentrate pollutants near the surface, industrial upsets or natural occurrences such as forest fires. Exceedances are typically for short intervals (e.g., 1 hour), however some events do span several hours depending on the pollutant, source and meteorological conditions.

Within the current regulatory system, Alberta Environment responds to exceedances of AQOs after they have occurred. This response includes determining the cause of the exceedance, notifying the responsible sources and affected stakeholders and determining any requirements to prevent a re-occurrence. Exceedances are investigated on a case-by-case basis to examine the frequency and magnitude of exceedances and evaluate the impact on environmental and human health.

If exceedances occur at compliance air monitoring stations, the identified source is required to submit details of its response to prevent the event from happening again. Environmental Protection Orders may also be issued under the authority of Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act to remedy environmental problems where there has been a release of a substance which has caused, or may cause, an adverse effect on the environment.