Testing shows Iqaluit dump fire not causing air quality emergency

IQALUIT, Nunavut – Federal officials say a three-week-old fire at the Iqaluit dump is not causing an air-quality emergency in the Nunavut capital.

But they acknowledge that better equipment is needed to monitor the kind of contaminants that come from burning garbage.

The fire, which is being left to burn itself out, has closed schools in the city of about 7,000 and prompted health warnings.

Preliminary air-quality tests by Environment Canada indicate the level of particles in the air isn’t high enough to trigger an emergency response.

New equipment that can provide long-term monitoring of substances such as hydrocarbons is expected to arrive in Iqaluit by the end of the week.

Eight people have gone to hospital over smoke concerns, although no one had to be admitted.