Airquality.ca Whistler AQMP

Index Overview Historic PM_2.5 Data Historic PM₁₀ Data BC Air Quality

Resort Municipality of Whistler Air Monitoring System

On September 3rd 2010, WSP Canada Inc. (WSP) installed a TEOM (Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance) 1400a, developed by Rupprecht and Patashnick. The TEOM monitored particulate matter of the size fraction PM_2.5. On January 8th 2016 WSP replaced the TEOM with a BAM-1020 (Beta Attenuation Mass) Monitor, developed by MetOne Instruments. The BAM Monitor will be monitoring particulate matter of the size fraction PM₁₀. At the start of January 2022, a PM_2.5 inlet was added to the BAM so that it now collects the smaller PM_2.5 size fraction.

The unit was installed on the roof of the High Performance Centre in the new Cheakamus Crossing Neighborhood of Whistler. The current unit is configured for use as a PM_2.5 monitor. The unit's air inlet is sized to intake only fine airborne particulate matter with a size of 2.5 micrometers (2.5 μm = 0.0000025 meters) and smaller (PM_2.5). This is approximately the same width as 1/28th the diameter of a human hair. The BAM then determines the mass of particulate matter per volume of air sampled my measuring the attenuation of the beta ray signal. The results are displayed it in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³). This allows for comparison with Provincial and Federal air quality objectives which are defined in μg/m³. The BAM monitor is accompanied by a R.M. Young Wind Monitor sensor used to measure horizontal wind speed and direction.

Wind direction is displayed as its direction of origin. An example of this is a reading of SW (southwest) which defines a wind blowing from the southwest towards the northeast.

WSP, in cooperation with the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), will continue the operation and maintenance of the monitoring system which includes "real-time" data access at (airquality.ca/whistler) which can be reached through the RMOW website (www.whistler.ca).

Questions about ambient air quality monitoring can be directed to:

RMOW Environmental Services
Tel: 604-935-8190
Email: airquality[at]whistler.ca