Benzo(a)pyrene: More about the data

Benzo(a)pyrene data was collected every sixth day from 1982 to 2000 at the Edmonton (Central, East and Northwest), Calgary (Central, East and Northwest), and Fort Saskatchewan stations. This was done using a high-volume sampler. This monitoring ceased in 2000, with plans to switch to PUF (Polyurethane Foam) sampling thereafter. The PUF monitors, however, have not been installed due to lack of funding.

From 2001 to present, benzo(a)pyrene has been monitored through Environment Canada's National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program. This monitoring is done every 12 days using the Polyurethane Foam (PUF) method. This data was used to complete the benzo(a)pyrene trend for this indicator. It was found that data from the two monitoring methods were not significantly different. Of the above stations, Edmonton East is the only one with available National Air Pollution Surveillance data.

Monitoring results are 24-hour total concentrations. Therefore, the data presented here are annual averages of these 24-hour concentrations.