|
BC Clean Air Research (BC CLEAR) Fund
Please Note: Beginning June 30, 2009, the BC Clean Air Research (CLEAR) Fund will no longer accept new applications for funding. Please check back on this site for future program updates.
Purpose
The BC Clean Air Research (BC CLEAR) Fund promotes excellent research by funding transformative, internationally significant research of strategic importance for the management of air quality in British Columbia.
Management
The BC Clean Air Research Fund is sponsored by the BC Ministry of Environment and is jointly managed by three parties, namely the BC Ministry of Environment (MoE), Metro Vancouver and Environment Canada (EC). A representative from each of these parties makes up the Fund Steering Committee.The role of the Steering Committee is to:
- review and make decisions on proposals
- obtain reviews of proposals from independent experts when certain expertise is required
- arrange coordination on proposed projects that overlap with existing or proposed work
- if possible, provide funding or in-kind contributions from their respective agencies in addition to the amount requested from the Fund.
The Fraser Basin Council provides administrative support to the Steering Committee by acting as the Fund secretariat. The Council receives proposals, communicates with applicants and prepares annual reports for the Fund.
Focus Areas
Research projects are invited relating to (but not be limited to) the following focus areas:
- air quality science processes such as meteorological and atmospheric chemistry
- weather, air quality and ecosystem/health effects models that would lead to more reliable tools used for air quality management decision-making
- identification, quantification and characterizing the space and time variability of emission sources
- monitoring methods that provide cost-effective and accurate measures of emissions, meteorology, ecosystem and human health effects
- emissions control approaches that include clean fuels, improved processes, newer technology and market-driven programs
- links between air quality and ecosystem and human health impacts
- public communication/behaviour-change approaches
- economic valuation of air quality benefits/impacts
- air quality/climate change co-benefits
- air quality management systems
Successful Projects
The CLEAR Fund has awarded funding for several research projects in 2008 and 2009, which will have strategic importance to the management of air quality in BC. The CLEAR Fund continually invites new research proposals from industry groups, individuals, non-government or government organizations, academics and consultants. Here is a description of the projects funded by the CLEAR Fund:
Collection of PM2.5 Emission Data from In-Use Light-Duty Diesel and Gasoline Vehicles
Project Leader: Stephen Stewart
There is very little available data relating to the PM emissions from in-use light-duty vehicles. The goal of this project is to collect PM2.5 emissions data from light-duty diesel and gasoline vehicles, for the purposes of characterizing the PM emissions of the in-use fleet. The resulting data will be used for emission factor development; to aid in developing mitigation strategies; and to support effectiveness evaluation of mitigation strategies. In addition, the PM emission data will contribute to inventory work, development of emission reduction strategies, and evaluation of reduction strategies.
Identification and Monitoring of Airborne Volatile Organic Compounds
Project leader: Konrad Walus
This project proposes to develop novel sensor technology for characterizing and quantifying volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The devices will be integrated into the exiting monitoring network, which covers a wide geographical range across the province. As a result, the data collected by the sensors can be used to locate the associated pollution sources. The information acquired with these sensors will help enforce the BC Air Action Plan, which has identified VOCs as one of the worst pollutants in BC.Understanding the Spatial Distribution of Ambient Fine Particulate Matter in Prince George
Project leader: William OseiThis project will measure ambient air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter (PM), at a fine spatial resolution using mobile monitoring, which will complement the existent fixed monitoring done by the Ministry of Environment. The mobile monitoring will provide the resolution necessary to identify pollution ‘hotspots’ within the airshed, which will, in turn, support airshed management planning and air pollution control strategies. In addition, it will provide a more detailed "exposure" assessment for studying air pollution-related health effects, and inform the greater public understanding on air pollution in Prince George.
Understanding Strategies for Exercise in Urban Pollution
Project Leader: Michael Koehle
Exercise is an important parameter in the prevention of disease, for access to work and quality of life for many individuals. Exercise in the outdoors is the most accessible form of activity for many individuals, however the effects of air pollution on urban exercisers remain unclear. There are pre-existing guidelines for individuals, particularly those with disease to limit exercise during times of high air pollution. However, there is little reliable evidence for this, and due to the positive implications of exercise on health, it would be beneficial to better understand this relationship. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers will be studied in individuals at a variety of exercise intensities.
Development of a Nanoparticulate Matter Monitor
Project Leader: Winnie Chu
Airborne particulate matter and ground-level ozone are the two main components of smog. Most environmental agencies (including the BC Ministry of the Environment) routinely monitor these two air pollution indicators to assess overall ambient air quality. Exposure to airborne particles increases human mortality and morbidity from respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases. While particles as small as 2.5 µm are now monitored in many BC locations, currently no system is in place to quantify much smaller particulates. It is evident that nanoparticles exhibit higher toxicity than micron size particles of identical substances. Our proposed nanosensor is designed to fill the current gap in existing air monitoring and management systems.Modeling Photochemical Pollution in the Lower Fraser Valley
Project Leader: Douw Steyn
The objective of this project is to provide a policy relevant understanding of ambient ozone and emissions of ozone precursors in the Lower Fraser Valley through modeling. The models will be evaluated on the demonstration of responsiveness to emissions changes (gross reductions in NOx and VOC), changes in chemical speciation and spatial and temporal shifts in emissions) that have occurred in the past, and are likely to occur in future scenarios. Models will also be evaluated by demonstrating that they can successfully capture the decadal evolution of photochemical pollution in the LFV in relation to changes in emissions and meteorology.
Contact us for more information
Lindsay Gardner, Program Assistant, Fraser Basin Council
1st Floor, 470 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 1V5
Email: lgardner[at]fraserbasin.bc.ca
Tel: (604) 488-5367
Fax: (604) 488-5351