Summary
Air quality criteria were developed to facilitate the evaluation of air
quality in Québec. They can be used to evaluate the results of an air quality
monitoring program or to assess the impact of a source of chemical contaminant
emissions on air quality.
These criteria were determined with the objective of providing protection
against adverse health effects, nuisances and effects on the ecosystem.
Toxicological data from well-known agencies and organizations were included.
Since the criteria are set at a negligible risk level, an air concentration
under the level of the criteria is assumed to present no health risk to the
population. On the other hand, a concentration of a contaminant that exceeds air
quality criteria does not necessarily mean that an unacceptable risk level is
attained; every case is unique and must be considered separately. However, when
a criterion for a particular contaminant is frequently exceeded in many
situations and areas, a provisional management criterion could be established at
a level corresponding to the maximum acceptable risk level.
The document entitled Cadre d’application et de détermination
presents the general process for determining and implementing the criteria, as
well as the definitions and guiding principles. In the document Méthode de
détermination, one will find the methodology used to establish the criteria.
The document Fiches synthèses contains a summary of the methodology used
for every contaminant.
Finally, the document Guide de la modélisation de la dispersion
atmosphérique (Updating: April 2005) presents the models, data* and methods recommended for the
production of dispersion modelling studies. These models make possible the
calculation of ambient air concentrations near emission sources using
meteorological data and sources characteristics (flow, temperature,
concentrations, etc.).
* You must use a decompression software to download
data which are relevant to air quality
models.
Three articles on the distribution
of physiological daily inhalation rates for individuals in all age groups within
the population were published in an American issue of “International Journal
of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment”. Daily inhalation rates are used in
health risk assessment and for the determination of air quality criteria and
norms.
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Cadre d’application et de détermination
(French,  PDF file, 653 Ko)
Mise à jour des critères québécois de
qualité de l'air
(French,
PDF
file, 113 ko)
Guide de modélisation de la dispersion atmosphérique*
(French,PDF
file, 174 Ko)
Méthode de
détermination
(French,PDF
file, 1,1 Mo)
Human Daily
Inhalation Rates (3 weeks to 96 years)
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