UPDATE: Vernon air quality advisory ended

UPDATE: 1:45 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2016

VERNON – The dust advisory issued for the Vernon area earlier this week, and then continued this morning, has now been ended by the B.C. Ministry of Environment.

Elevated pollution levels are no longer expected or have moved out the area, according to a statement.

9:06 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016

VERNON – A dust advisory issued for the Vernon area earlier this week was continued this morning.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for both Vernon because of high concentrations of dust in the air.

The statement comes as the B.C. Ministry of Environment warns the dusty conditions are expected to stick around until the weather changes.

The change could come Sunday afternoon with a chance of showers or flurries in the forecast and full-on rain Sunday night and Monday.

Until the weather changes the statement warns, “Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions should postpone strenuous exercise near busy roads until the advisory is lifted. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have diabetes, and lung or heart disease.”

Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk. Older adults may be more affected by air pollution exposure, possibly because they are more likely to have pre-existing lung and cardiovascular disease.

For more information on the current air quality in Vernon and across B.C., and real time air quality observations along with information regarding the health effects of air pollution, click here.

For the very latest alerts and forecasts from Environment Canada, click here.

For information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast levels, click here.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.