Air Quality
- The major sources of air pollution in the Yukon are combustion
of fuels and open burning of wastes. Episodes of poor air quality
in communities occur on cold, calm winter days when wood smoke
and vehicle exhaust are trapped in a lower layer of stagnant air.
- The number of vehicles registered in the Yukon has doubled
since 1974, from almost 11,000 to almost 22,000. Whitehorse ranks
among the 15 worst of 54 urban Canadian stations measuring carbon
monoxide. Vehicle exhaust is the main source. When carbon monoxide
concentrations are at their highest levels in downtown Whitehorse,
the air is of 'fair' quality according to national standards.
The decline in lead in Whitehorse air is due to the phase-out
of leaded gasoline in Canada. (more on Whitehorse air quality)
- Wood is the principal heat source in the Yukon (43 per cent
of the population, compared to 6.8 per cent in the rest of Canada).
Approximately 16,000 cords of wood are burned annually in Whitehorse
(five cords for each wood-burning appliance).
