Each day, Roland Latimer, a nine-year-old resident of Gold River, B.C., monitors the air quality before venturing outside due to his asthma condition. He carries inhalers for respiratory support.
During periods of poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke, Roland is confined indoors to prevent asthma exacerbation, a situation that he finds frustrating despite being crucial for his well-being.
He expressed his feelings to host Laura Lynch, describing the experience as feeling trapped.
Having real-time safety updates, with the recent installation of four air quality monitors in Gold River, is part of the aftermath of a tragic event involving another nine-year-old, Carter Vigh, who succumbed to an asthma attack during the 2023 wildfire season in British Columbia.
Carter’s parents, Amber and James Vigh, recall an incident where Carter attended a birthday party at a water park on a day seemingly unaffected by smoke odor. The Air Quality Health Index indicated a “low risk,” but the readings were based on monitors located 100 kilometers away from their residence in 100 Mile House, B.C.
In response to the tragedy, Amber Vigh initiated Carter’s Project in collaboration with the B.C. Lung Foundation to promote air quality awareness and education.
The foundation has distributed 20 outdoor and 200 indoor air quality monitors to schools and communities, including Gold River, 100 Mile House, and Dawson Creek, alongside educational programs like those attended by Roland Latimer.
Vigh emphasized the importance of learning about air quality to prevent similar incidents and expressed concerns about public complacency regarding this issue.
The B.C. government has allocated over $300 million for HVAC system upgrades in schools to enhance indoor air quality.
The Ministry of Education and Child Care is collaborating with the Climate Action Secretariat to develop teaching resources on climate change to support educators.
Empowering Communities
Chris Lam, President of the B.C. Lung Foundation, aims to promote discussions on air quality to empower individuals and normalize monitoring and addressing air pollution.
Through initiatives like Carter’s Project, the foundation educates people on air quality monitoring and provides guidance on creating DIY air purifiers, underscoring the importance of these tools in safeguarding health.
Melissa Lem, President of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, stresses the need for proactive measures to address wildfire smoke risks, advocating for staying indoors during poor air quality periods and using air purifiers or masks when necessary.
Lem highlighted the long-term health implications of chronic exposure to air pollution and emphasized the significance of raising awareness, particularly among children and families.
Personal Impact
Vigh believes that sharing personal tragedies like Carter’s story is an effective method to educate and raise awareness about air quality, emphasizing the real-life consequences of environmental hazards.
She expressed pride in the legacy left by her son and commended individuals like Roland Latimer for championing the cause and spreading awareness through initiatives like Carter’s Project.
Reflecting on the impact of Carter’s story, Vigh expressed hope and gratitude for the positive influence of the project in fostering community engagement and awareness.