For the first time ever, a portable monitoring station (PAML) has been located in Cochrane to continuously monitor our air quality for the next six months and provide up-to-date air quality information.

Representatives of the Calgary Region Airshed Zone (CRAZ) are holding their official launch at the Days Inn and Suites, 5 Westside Dr., on Wednesday, Nov. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. and they welcome residents to come and learn more. They'll also be visiting the PAML and it will be opened briefly for the public to view.

CRAZ executive director Jill Bloor says they are excited about this new phase of their monitoring program and the benefit it holds to Cochrane and other communities involved.

While stationed here it will gather high-quality data enabling it to produce a snapshot of our air quality as well as an air quality health index (AQHI). The program follows a third-party needs assessment completed a few years ago.

"In that assessment, It was identified that several of our smaller urban communities should get some more in-depth continuous monitoring of their air quality," explains Bloor.

The PAML is located in Mitford Park and its analyzers will be monitoring our air continuously 24-7 until the end of March.

"At the end of those six months we will not only have a trend for the data but we'll have a trend for the AQHI," she says.

It will then return to Cochrane from April to September 2020 and by the end of a four-year program, they will have a full year's worth of data from each community selected.

What's particularly exciting is an AQHI will be produced specifically for Cochrane. Currently, we rely upon those from Calgary and Airdrie.

"I'm excited about providing this for citizens. That number is what they can use to gauge their outside activity."

The index has a scale of 1 to 10 plus; the higher the number the poorer the air quality.

"If that number rose to 6 or 7, individuals in Cochrane who are very young, very old or have respiratory issues probably shouldn't go outside to exercise," she explains.

"It is important for parents who may have children who do outdoor activities to be aware of the AQHI constantly."

The only other air quality data collected in the area is to monitor industrial emissions.

Public engagement and education are important to CRAZ. Through their programs, they want to inform people of what the data means, why we should care, what air quality means to human health as well as provide an explanation of the AQHI and what actions we can take to care for our air.

Bloor says those unable to attend the launch but want information are welcome to visit CRAZ at craz.ca. They also welcome inquiries from schools for PAML tours or presentations.

"We're definitely open to that. We love going to schools and talking about air quality."

Other communities benefitting from the new program are High River, Okotoks, Chestermere and Strathmore.