Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued a precautionary air quality advisory for Edmonton after refinery flare ups caused plumes of black smoke Saturday morning.
Officials said current air quality conditions were not expected to cause problems for most healthy individuals but there was concern for those with respiratory or heart conditions.
“We are surrounded by industry. Occasionally these events can happen,” AHS medical officer of health, Chris Sikora said.
“When they do people should take measures to protect themselves and help maintain their health.”
AHS said those with COPD, asthma, angina or other similar conditions may feel a worsening of symptoms due to air quality and they advise those individuals to monitor their symptoms.
According to officials, a power failure that happened around 8:20 a.m. caused companies to burn excess product.
“The power didn’t go out but the voltage level dropped,” AltaLink’s Scott Schneider explained.
“Some earth moving equipment in the area had come into contact with a transmission line and created a fault on the system, which then dropped the voltage.”
Officials at Suncor confirmed the flaring was a result of power loss.
“The smoke is caused by emergency flaring, which is happening because of the power failure,” a spokesperson explained.
Strathcona County deputy fire chief, Vern Elliott, said that Alberta Environment was monitoring the situation from the air and there were fire crews on the scene.
“If they start having shortness of breath, cough, increase of scratchy throat or chest pain really should go to the emergency department, go see your physician or give Alberta Health Link a call,” Sikora said.
He added that the air has now gone back to neutral but AHS still issued an advisory.
“It was impacted briefly. It has since returned to baseline.”
Those suffering from symptoms can call Health Link Alberta, 1-866-408-5465.
For more air quality information log on to the Alberta Environment website or call, 1-877-247-7333.
With files from Nicole Weisberg
