non-technical summary of air quality monitoring results...

Non-Technical Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results – February 2020, Boat Harbour Remediation Project

April 24, 2020 File: 121415686

Prepared for: Nova Scotia Lands Prepared by: Stantec Consulting Ltd. 102-40 Highfield Park Drive Dartmouth, NS B3A 0A3

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING RESULTS – FEBRUARY 2020, BOAT HARBOUR REMEDIATION PROJECT

File: 121415686 i

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1

2.0 PILOT SCALE REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES .................................................................. 1

3.0 AIR QUALITY MONITORING PLAN .............................................................................. 3 3.1 WEATHER ..................................................................................................................... 3 3.2 AIR QUALITY ................................................................................................................. 3

4.0 AIR QUALITY CRITERIA ............................................................................................... 4

5.0 AIR QUALITY MONITORING RESULTS ....................................................................... 4 5.1 WEATHER ..................................................................................................................... 4 5.2 LONG-TERM AIR QUALITY MONITORING ................................................................... 5 5.3 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 6

6.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 7

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Location of the Pilot Scale Remediation ....................................................................... 2 Figure 2 Wind Rose February 2020 – Wind Direction Represents Where the Wind is

Blowing From ............................................................................................................... 5

ATTACHMENT Table 1 Definitions of Air Contaminants Monitored ................................................................... 1


File: 121415686 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Stantec Consulting Ltd. (referred to as “Stantec”) was retained by Nova Scotia Lands (referred to as “NS Lands”) to provide air quality monitoring services between August 2018 and March 2020, prior to the full-scale remediation of Boat Harbour. During this time, air quality monitoring is being done within the community of Pictou Landing First Nation, and within Boat Harbour, during activities associated with the Pilot Scale Remediation Program. The monitoring data collected during the Pilot Scale Remediation Program are compared to the data collected when no activity is occurring (referred to as “the baseline data”) and to air quality criteria to assess whether the pilot scale remediation activities are affecting air quality within and surrounding Boat Harbour. The findings of this pilot scale monitoring program will be used to plan for the future work associated with the full-scale remediation of Boat Harbour.

This summary report provides an overview of the results of the air quality monitoring that was conducted within the community of Pictou Landing First Nation and within Boat Harbour during the month of February 2020. As no activities associated with the pilot scale remediation were conducted in February 2020, no real-time monitoring was done during this time period.

Monitoring at the Fixed Station in February 2020 was conducted on February 3, 9, 15, 21 and 27, 2020.

Additional details about the monitoring conducted in February 2020 are presented in the “Monthly Report – Independent Ambient Air Quality Monitoring and Evaluation for Boat Harbour Remediation Project” (2020). This report can be viewed on the Nova Scotia Lands Boat Harbour Remediation website (https://novascotia.ca/boatharbour/monitoring/).

2.0 PILOT SCALE REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES

The Pilot Scale Remediation Program has two phases. The first work phase consists of constructing facilities required to support the Pilot Scale Remediation Program. Examples of this work include clearing of land and constructing a berm. The second phase consists of the pilot testing. Examples of this work include dredging of contaminated sediment and filling geotextile tubes. Phase 1 is known as the non-intrusive work phase, and phase 2 as the intrusive work phase.

The general locations where the pilot scale remediation activities occur are shown on Figure 1.

The Spring Pilot Scale Remediation Program resumed in April 2019 and ended in June 2019. No activities associated with the pilot scale remediation occurred in February 2020.

https://novascotia.ca/boatharbour/monitoring/

")

Boat HarbourEffluent Treatment

Facility

Dredging andExcavation Area

Work Compound

Treatment Pad

Fisher's GrantReserve No. 24

Boat Harbour WestReserve No. 37

Fisher'sGrant Reserve

No. 24G

PictouLanding

PictouHarbour

Boat Harbour

($$¯DRAFT -

For Internal Use Only

") Fixed Monitoring Station

Project FeaturesSilt Fence

Berm

Dredging Work Compound

Dredging and Excavation Area

Pictou Landing First NationWind Speed (m/s)

0.5 - 2.1

2.1 - 3.6

3.6 - 5.7

5.7 - 8.8

8.8 - 11.1

>= 11.1

\\ca0213-ppfss01\work_group\1214\active\121415686 Boat Harbour\03_data\gis_cad\gis\mapping\mxd\report\121415686-035_Rose_Plot_February2020.mxd mblackwood

NAD 1983 UTM Zone 20N 121415686-035

Disclaimer: This map is for illustrative purposes to support this Stantec project; questions can be directed to the issuing agency.

Figure 1

Location of the Pilot Scale RemediationSources: Base Data - Governments of Nova Scotia and Canada

INDEPENDENT AMBIENT AIR MONITORING FOR BOAT HARBOUR REMEDIATION PROJECT

0 100 200 300 400 500

metres


File: 121415686 3

3.0 AIR QUALITY MONITORING PLAN

3.1 WEATHER

Weather data including measurements of temperature, wind direction and windspeed are collected from two nearby weather stations that are operated and maintained by Environment and Climate Change Canada. These weather data are used to support and inform the air quality monitoring program.

The reason for collecting weather data is to see how wind direction and wind speed might affect the air quality in the area, as well as to provide an indication of the possible contributions of the different sources of air contaminants in the area during the monitoring. For example, the source of air contaminants would generally be located in a direction that is upwind of where the elevated air quality measurement was taken.

3.2 AIR QUALITY

As noted above, two types of air quality monitoring are conducted as part of this program: long-term air quality monitoring and real-time air monitoring. The long-term air quality monitoring is being conducted throughout the monitoring program (2018 to 2020) within the area of Pictou Landing First Nation. The location of the long-term air quality monitoring site is about 1 km north of where the pilot scale remediation activities are being conducted and is called the Fixed Monitoring Station.

The real-time air quality monitoring spot checks are conducted only when the pilot scale remediation activities are being carried out. The real-time air quality monitoring locations are located within Boat Harbour alongside and immediately adjacent to the pilot scale remediation activities that include dredging of sediment and transfer and placement of this material on the treatment pad.

As no activities associated with the pilot scale remediation occurred in February 2020, no real-time monitoring was done during this time period.

Long-term air quality monitoring was conducted at the Fixed Monitoring Station as shown in Figure 1.

The concentrations of the following air contaminants were measured:

• Long-term Air Monitoring Location (the Fixed Monitoring Station) − Total suspended particulate (TSP) − Particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM10) − Particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microns (PM2.5) − Metals and mercury − Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) − Speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) − Dioxins and furans − Ammonia, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde − Speciated reduced sulphur compounds − Total reduced sulphur (TRS)


File: 121415686 4

These air contaminants are described in more detail in the attached table (Table 1) at the end of this summary report.

The air monitoring work was completed using methods reviewed and approved by Nova Scotia Environment.

4.0 AIR QUALITY CRITERIA

Air quality criteria are maximum values that have been published by provincial or federal regulatory agencies to provide protection for the general public. Measured concentrations of air contaminants should not exceed these maximum values. When they do, action is needed to better control the activity or activities releasing the air contaminants to the atmosphere.

The long-term ambient air quality monitoring results from the Fixed Monitoring Station are compared to ambient air quality criteria published by Nova Scotia Environment, the Ontario Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

5.0 AIR QUALITY MONITORING RESULTS

5.1 WEATHER

A summary of the wind speed and wind direction data collected during the air quality monitoring is shown on Figure 2. This figure shows how often the winds were blowing from the pilot scale remediation site toward the community of Pictou Landing First Nation (blowing from the southern directions) and at what speed, during the month of February 2020. The direction of the arrows indicates where the wind is blowing from and the length of the arrows indicates how often the wind blew from that direction (the length of arrows does not indicate the strength of the wind). The colour of the arrow indicates the measured wind speed.

During February 2020, the wind blew from the direction of the pilot scale remediation toward the Fixed Monitoring Station approximately 44% of the time. Winds blew predominantly from the west approximately 33% of the time and from the west-southwest approximately 23% of the time during. The average wind speeds were between 3.5 and 9.1 m/s (12.7 to 32.8 km/hr). The average air temperature was between -13.9 and -1.1°C.


File: 121415686 5

Figure 2 Wind Rose February 2020 – Wind Direction Represents Where the Wind is Blowing From

Source: Government of Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2020. Historical Data for Caribou Point Station. Station ID 8200774. Date accessed: March 30, 2020. Available at: https://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_e.html.

5.2 LONG-TERM AIR QUALITY MONITORING

During February 2020, the long-term air quality monitoring at the Fixed Monitoring Station began on February 3, 2020 and ended on February 27, 2020 as per the sampling days outlined by the National Air Pollution Surveillance Network (NAPS) schedule. A total of 34 samples were collected and analyzed during this time period, in addition to continuous monitoring for some compounds.

For some of the speciated sulphur compounds, the lowest level that the lab can analyze to is actually greater than their respective air quality criteria. For example, for hydrogen sulfide the lab can only detect down to 14 µg/m3, however the criteria is 7 µg/m3. This makes it difficult to assess these results against the regulatory criteria. Stantec is currently working with the laboratory to lower the detection levels for these compounds.

https://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_e.html


File: 121415686 6

Most concentrations of air contaminants that were measured in February 2020 as part of the long-term ambient air monitoring at the Fixed Monitoring Station were below their maximum allowable levels. For sulphur compounds, there is some discussion ongoing related to detection limits.

Additional details about the monitoring conducted in February 2020 are presented in the “Monthly Report – Independent Ambient Air Quality Monitoring and Evaluation for Boat Harbour Remediation Project” (2020). This report can be viewed on the Nova Scotia Lands Boat Harbour Remediation website (https://novascotia.ca/boatharbour/monitoring/).

5.3 SUMMARY

The long-term air quality monitoring at the Fixed Monitoring Station for this period (February 2020) began on February 3, 2020 and ended on February 27, 2020. A total of 34 samples were collected and analyzed during this time period, in addition to the continuous monitoring of concentrations for some compounds.

Most concentrations of air contaminants that were measured in February 2020 as part of the long-term ambient air monitoring at the Fixed Monitoring Station were below their maximum allowable levels. For sulphur compounds, there is some discussion ongoing related to detection limits.

As no activities associated with the pilot scale remediation were occurring in February 2020, no real-time monitoring was done during this time period. Therefore, no data from real time monitoring are reported for February 2020.

https://novascotia.ca/boatharbour/monitoring/


File: 121415686 7

6.0 REFERENCES

Galarneau, Elisabeth, and Daniel Wang, Ewa Dabek-Zlotorzynska, May Siu, Valbona Celo, Mylaine Tardif, David Harnish & Ying Jiang. 2015. “Air Toxics in Canada Measured by the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) Program and their Relation to Ambient Air Quality Guidelines”. Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association.

Government of Canada. 2020. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Historical Data for Caribou Point and Collegeville Auto Station. Station ID 71415 and 8201001. Date accessed: February 25, 2020. Available at: https://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_e.html.

https://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_e.html


ATTACHMENT Definitions of Air Containments Monitored


Table 1 Definitions of Air Contaminants Monitored

Air Contaminant Description Acetaldehydea Colourless, flammable liquid with a strong, suffocating odor. It is used to make

other chemicals.

Ambient air Outdoor air. Ammoniab Toxic, colorless, flammable, corrosive, gas with a strong odour. Ammonia

comes from wastes, fertilizers and natural processes.

Chlorinec Toxic gas with a strong odor that is highly reactive. Chlorine dioxided Yellow to reddish-yellow gas with a strong odour similar to chlorine and nitric

acid.

Dioxins and furanse Highly toxic group of chemically-related compounds all containing the chlorine atom that are environmental pollutants.

Formaldehydef Colorless gas with a strong odor used in resins for particleboard products, agriculture, concrete and plaster additives, cosmetics, disinfectants, fumigants, photography, and wood preservation.

Mercuryg Heavy metal. Liquid at room temperature and vaporizes to become a colorless, odorless gas.

Metalsh Basic metal elements such as lead. Some metals are toxic. Smog can be a carrier of metals.

Methanoli Clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic odor used as an industrial solvent for inks, resins, adhesives, dyes.

Particulate matter, (PM) and total suspended particulate (TSP)j

Particulate matter is a mixture of small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air. Particulate matter includes aerosols, smoke, fumes, dust, fly ash, and pollen. TSP refers to total suspended particulate matter, which contains particles with aerodynamic diameters ranging from 0.01-100 µm and larger. Fine particles are considered to be more of a health concern than coarse particles due to ease of inhalation into lungs.

PM2.5j PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) has an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microns.

PM10j PM10 has an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns; it includes both fine particles (less than 2.5 microns in diameter) and coarse particles (between 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter).

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)k

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline.

Speciated reduced sulphur compoundsl

Compounds containing Sulphur in its reduced state with various chemical properties.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)m

Large group of chemicals that are present in indoor and outdoor air. Some have an odour while others do not. Sources include vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, paint, glues, varnish, air fresheners, and cleaning products.

Sources: a Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2015. Acetaldehyde. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/acetaldehyde.pdf. EPA. 2017. Pulp and Paper Production (MACT I & III): National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Source Categories. https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/pulp-and-paper-production-mact-i-iii-national-emissions-standards. b EPA. 2018. Ammonia. https://www.epa.gov/caddis-vol2/ammonia.


Table 1 Definitions of Air Contaminants Monitored

Air Contaminant Description c EPA. 2000a. Chlorine. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/chlorine.pdf. d Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 2007. Ontario Air Standards for Chlorine Dioxide. http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/mon/20000/277807.pdf. e Government of Canada. 2005. Dioxins and Furans. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/migration/hc-sc/hl-vs/alt_formats/pacrb-dgapcr/pdf/iyh-vsv/environ/dioxin-eng.pdf. f EPA. 2000b. Formaldehyde. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/formaldehyde.pdf. g Government of Canada. 2013a. Mercury: Chemical Properties. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/mercury-environment/about/chemical-properties.html. h Government of Canada. 2017a. Air pollutants overview. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-pollution/pollutants/overview.html. i EPA. 2000c. Methanol. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/methanol.pdf. j EPA. 2018. Particulate Matter (PM) Pollution. Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter (PM). Health Effects. https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm. k Government of Canada 2013b. Toxic Substances list: PAHs. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/management-toxic-substances/list-canadian-environmental-protection-act/polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons.html. l Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. 2007. Ontario Standard for Total Reduced Sulphur. http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/mon/20000/277839.pdf. m Government of Canada. 2017b. Volatile Organic Compounds. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/indoor-air-contaminants/volatile-organic-compounds.html#_About_volatile_organic.

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/mercury-environment/about/chemical-properties.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/mercury-environment/about/chemical-properties.html

non-technical summary of air quality monitoring results...

Documents