Archived: Air Pollutant Emission Inventory report: chapter 1


Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background on the APEI

Canada’s Air Pollutant Emission Inventory (APEI) is a comprehensive inventory of air pollutant emissions at the national and provincial/territorial levels. The APEI is prepared and published by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and serves many purposes, including the following:

The APEI compiles emissions of 17 air pollutants that contribute to smog, acid rain and diminished air quality, including:

The reporting format for the APEI has been streamlined and reorganized into eleven source categories that better reflect where emissions are taking place (Table 1-1). For example, the former “Industrial” source category has been broken down into three separate source categories: “Ore and Mineral Industries”, “Oil and Gas Industry” and “Manufacturing”. The eleven source categories are further broken down into 77 sectors and 131 associated subsectors.

The APEI is compiled and published on an annual basis. The time series of annual emissions contained in this report is updated from 1990 to the most recent inventory year in order to indicate the trend in emissions based on the most current methodological estimation approaches and data.

In recent years, facility emissions data captured in the APEI have originated primarily from the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) and have been supplemented with limited data provided by provincial governments (Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Quebec). For example, Alberta provides additional data for the Upstream Petroleum sector for the pre-2006 years, and Alberta and Newfoundland provide supplementary information for selected sources that are not reported to the NPRI. In addition to supplementing the NPRI with additional data sources as described above, the APEI incorporates emissions estimated by ECCC for sources not reported to the NPRI, for example when an APEI sector includes facilities that are below the NPRI reporting threshold.

Table 1-1: APEI sector descriptions
APEI source APEI sector Sector descriptions
Ore and Mineral Industries Aluminium Industry Alumina production through bauxite refining, primary aluminium production through smelting and refining and secondary aluminium production in which aluminium is recovered from aluminium-containing scrap.
Ore and Mineral Industries Asphalt Paving Industry Asphalt concrete (or hot-mix asphalt) manufacturing. Emissions are from permanent and portable hot-mix asphalt installations.
Ore and Mineral Industries Cement and Concrete Industry Entire process of cement production in rotary kilns as wel as the preparation of concrete and ready-mix concrete, lime manufacture and concrete batching and products.
Ore and Mineral Industries Foundries Castings of various types of ferro-alloys as well as small iron and steel foundries not associated with integrated iron and steel facilities. The types of foundries included are: open ferrous, electric arc and induction foundries.
Ore and Mineral Industries Iron and Steel Industries Steel production, including blast furnaces, basic oxygen furnaces, electric arc furnaces, sintering, direct reduction of iron, hot forming and semi-finishing, coke production.
Ore and Mineral Industries Iron Ore Industry Iron ore mining, beneficiation by concentration and sintering into pellets are included.
Ore and Mineral Industries Mineral Products Industry Manufacture of brick and related clay products such as pipes, liner and tiles.
Ore and Mineral Industries Mining and Rock Quarrying Overburden removal, drilling in rock, blasting, crushing of rock, loading of materials, transporting raw materials by conveyors or haulage trucks, scraping, bulldozing, grading, open storage pile losses and wind erosion from exposed areas.
Ore and Mineral Industries Non-Ferrous Mining and Smelting Industry Primary copper and nickel production using pyrometallurgical operations, lead ore crushing, concentrating and metallurgic processing and zinc metal production through electrolytic processes. 
Oil and Gas Industry Downstream Petroleum Industry Refining and processing of crude oil to make fuels or other products such as solvents or asphalt.
Oil and Gas Industry Petroleum Product Transportation and Distribution Distribution of fuels from refineries. Includes pipelines, terminals (large distribution facilities), bulk plants (smaller distribution facilities) and natural gas transmission, distribution and storage facilities.
Oil and Gas Industry Upstream Petroleum Industry Drilling, testing and servicing of wells, conventional oil and gas production, in situ and open pit mining, oil sands production, natural gas processing crude oil transmission.
Electric Power Generation (Utilities) Coal Electric power generation from combustion of coal by utilities and by industry for commercial sale and/or private use.
Electric Power Generation (Utilities) Diesel Electric  power generation from combustion of diesel by utilities and by industry for commercial sale and/or private use.
Electric Power Generation (Utilities) Natural Gas Electric  power generation from combustion of natural gas by utilities and by industry for commercial sale and/or private use.
Electric Power Generation (Utilities) Waste Materials Electric  power generation from combustion of waste materials by utilities and by industry for commercial sale and/or private use.
Electric Power Generation (Utilities) Other Electric Power Generation Electric  power generation from other energy sources by utilities and by industry for commercial sale and/or private use.
Manufacturing Abrasives Manufacture Manufacturing of abrasive grinding wheels, abrasive-coated materials and other abrasive products.
Manufacturing Bakeries Manufacturing of bakery products, other than for retail sale, including frozen baked products.
Manufacturing Biofuel Production Production of ethanol for fuel or oils for biodiesel.
Manufacturing Chemicals Industry Large number of different product industries including fertilizer manufacturing, plastic resins, paints and varnishes, petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The raw materials, processes used and products produced are in many cases unique to individual plants.
Manufacturing Electronics Manufacturing of electronics, such as communications equipment, semiconductors and electronic components, navigational and guidance instruments, electric lamp bulb and parts, transformers, switchgear, relay and industrial control.
Manufacturing Food Preparation Activities related to food production for human or animal consumption, such as manufacturing of dog and cat food, sugar and confectionery products, frozen food, dairy products, meat products and tobacco and beverage products; seafood product preparation and packaging; and fruit and vegetable canning, pickling and drying.
Manufacturing Glass Manufacture Making of glass from sand and cullet as well as  the remelting, pressing, blowing or otherwise shaping purchased glass.
Manufacturing Grain Processing Primary, process, terminal and transfer elevators, as well as manufacturing or processing grain for use in other products.
Manufacturing Metal Fabrication Activities related to metal fabrication, such as: iron and steel mills and ferro-alloy manufacturing; production of iron and steel pipes and tubes, cold-rolling steel bars, sheets, strips and other steel shapes; steel wire drawing; smelting of non-ferrous metals; copper rolling, drawing, extruding and alloying; forging; stamping; and other metal manufacturing.
Manufacturing Plastics Manufacture Manufacturing of plastics bags, plastic film and sheet, unlaminated plastic profile shapes, plastic pipes and pipe fittings, laminating plastic profile shapes (plates, sheets and rods), polystyrene foam products, urethane and other foam products, motor vehicle plastic parts, tires, rubber and plastic hose and belting, and other rubber products.
Manufacturing Pulp and Paper Industry Chemical, mechanical, recycling and semi-chemical mills, including the production of energy through the combustion of spent pulping liquor, biomass and fossil-fuel combustion. Also includes fugitive emissions from wood refining, screening and drying, and various steps in chemical recovery systems.
Manufacturing Textiles  Textile product-related activities, including: fibre, yarn and thread manufacturing; textile and fabric finishing; fabric coating; carpet and rug manufacturing; clothing knitting; as well as clothing accessories and other clothing manufacturing.
Manufacturing Vehicle Manufacture (Engines, Parts, Assembly, Painting)  Activities related to: vehicle manufacturing, such as manufacturing of motor vehicles plastic parts, engine and power transmission equipment, automobile and light-duty motor vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, truck trailers, motor vehicle brake systems, seating and interior trim, and vehicle parts; urban transit systems; and support activities for rail transportation.
Manufacturing Wood Products Sawmills, panel board mills (including veneer, plywood, waferboard, particle board and medium-density fiberboard mills), and other wood products manufacturing establishments (including furniture and cabinet makers, wood treating plants, wood pellet mills and Masonite manufacturers).
Manufacturing Other Manufacturing Industries  Manufacturing, food production or processing industries that are not included under a specific industrial sector.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Air transportation Piston and turbine military, commercial and general aviation (landing and take-off only), and in-flight (cruise) emissions for turbine aircraft.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Heavy-duty diesel vehicles Diesel vehicles over 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Heavy-duty gasoline vehicles Gasoline vehicles over 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Heavy-duty LPG/NG vehicles Propane and natural gas vehicles over 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Light-duty diesel trucks Diesel trucks under 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Light-duty diesel vehicles Dieselvehicles under 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Light-duty gasoline trucks Gasoline trucks under 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Light-duty gasoline vehicles Gasoline vehicles under 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Light duty LPG/NG trucks Propane and natural gas trucks under 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Light duty LPG/NG vehicles Propane and natural gas vehicles under 3856 kilograms.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Marine transportation Marine craft in anchored, berth and underway phases.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Motorcycles Motorcycles.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Off-road diesel vehicles and equipment  Off-road vehicles and mobile equipment using diesel fuel in mining, construction, agriculture, commercial purposes, logging, railway maintenance, airport ground support, lawn and garden equipment using diesel fuel; and recreational vehicles using diesel fuel.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Off-road gasoline/LPG/CNG vehicles and equipment  Off-road vehicles and mobile equipment using gasoline, liquid petroleum gas, and compressed natural gas in mining, construction, agriculture, commercial purposes, logging, railway maintenance, airport ground support, and lawn and garden equipment., along with recreational vehicles.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Rail Transportation Freight and passenger trains, including yard switching activities.
Transportation and Mobile Equipment Tire Wear and Brake Lining Tire and brake lining wear from all categories of road transportation.
Agriculture Animal Production Animal housing, manure storage, and application of manure to the field.
Agriculture Crop Production Application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, tillage, and crop harvesting.
Agriculture Fuel Use Stationary combustion sources in agricultural facilities such as space and water heating and crop drying.
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Cigarette Smoking Mainstream cigarette smoke, which is directly exhaled by the smoker and sidestream smoke, which is directly released from burning cigarettes. 
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Commercial and Institutional Fuel Combustion External combustion sources used for space/water heating in commercial establishments, health and educational institutions and government/public administration facilities.
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Commercial Cooking Cooking meat and french fries in commerical foodservice operations.
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Construction Fuel Combustion  Combustion of fossil fuels used for space heating and the heating of construction materials, such as concrete. 
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Home Firewood Burning Burning of fuel wood and pellets for space heating and hot water. Includes emissions from fireplaces, wood stoves and wood-fired boilers.
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Human Human respiration, perspiration and dental amalgams.
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Marine Cargo Handling Handling, loading and unloading of materials, goods and merchandise from ships to docks.
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Residential Fuel Combustion Combustion of fossil fuels used for space/water heating in residences.
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Service Stations Fuel transfers and storage at service stations, as well as refueling of vehicles and off-road equipment by individuals.
Commercial/Residential/Institutional Other Miscellaneous Sources Infant-diapered waste and point source emissions from sectors that are not included elsewhere.
Incineration and Waste Crematoriums Combustion of caskets and human  bodies, as well as companion animals. 
Incineration and Waste Industrial and Commercial Incineration Incineration of waste from industrial, commercial and institutional facilities. The incineration of wood waste is included in other sectors such as pulp and paper, the wood industry and power generation, where it is burned.  
Incineration and Waste Municipal Incineration Incinerators used to combust municipal solid waste and recover energy.
Incineration and Waste Waste Disposal sites used for a variety of wastes, such as domestic, commercial, hazardous, liquid and non-hazardous solid industrial wastes and sewage sludge, and on-site burning of residential waste materials in backyard barrels or open-pit burning.
Incineration and Waste Other Incineration and Utilities Sewage sludge incineration and other small incinerators
Paints and Solvents Dry Cleaning Dry cleaning of fabric and leather items.
Paints and Solvents General Solvent Use Broad range of applications occurring in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional locations. Industrial applications include uses such as: degreasing, adhesives and sealants, aerosols, blowing agents, and resin manufacturing. The use of consumer and commercial products, pesticides and personal care products are also included.
Paints and Solvents Printing Manufacturing or use of printing inks, which includes: flexographic, gravure, letterpress, lithographic and other printing.
Paints and Solvents Surface Coatings Broad range of applications and industries, including individuals and companies engaged in the manufacturing or use of paints and coatings.
Dust Coal Transportation Transportation of coal by train or truck.
Dust Construction Operations Soil disturbance on construction sites (residential, industrial-commercial-institutional (ICI), engineering).
Dust Mine Tailings Wind erosion at mine tailings ponds located on active and inactive mine sites.
Dust Paved Roads Re-suspension of particulate matter by vehicles travelling on paved roads.
Dust Unpaved Roads Re-suspension of particulate matter by vehicles travelling on unpaved roads.
Fires Prescribed Forest Burning Controlled fires used for land management treatments such as reducing logging residues, managing forest production, controlling insects, and minimizing the potential for destructive wildfires.
Excludes the burning of agricultural residues.
Fires Structural Fires Vehicle fires (including trains and airplanes) and fires that burn buildings.

1.2 Reporting requirements

The first national inventory of air pollutant emissions in Canada was compiled in 1973, with national and provincial/territorial estimates of emissions of CO, SOx, NOx, hydrocarbons (HCs) and PM for the year 1970. Since then, air emission estimates for Canada have continued to be published on a regular basis.

The Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) endeavours to limit and, as far as possible, gradually reduce and prevent air pollution. Since 1979 when it was originally signed, the Convention has been extended by eight protocols, seven of which identify measures to be taken by Parties to achieve the Convention’s objectives; the eighth protocol concerns financing. Canada has ratified five of the seven measure-specific protocols including:

These protocols set specific emissions reduction targets for sulphur, NOx, Cd, Pb, Hg, dioxins and furans, and other POPs. Parties are required to report emissions to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) each year by February 15.

In addition, Canada collects and publishes data on emissions of NH3, CO, VOCs and three categories of PM (TPM, PM10 and PM2.5) and voluntarily reports the emissions of these six substances, along with the eleven substances for which there are protocols, to the UNECE annually. Canada has also ratified the 1984 Geneva Protocol on Long-term Financing of the Cooperative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe.

Canada and the United States also work jointly to address shared concerns regarding transboundary air pollution. Under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement, Canada monitors and reports emissions of SO2, NOx, and VOCs other than methane.

1.3 Environmental regulations for air pollutants

A wide range of regulations restrict or eliminate atmospheric pollutants in order to improve and maintain air quality in Canada. Regulations specific to air pollutants under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) include, but are not limited to, the following:

All regulations administered under CEPA are available in the registry.

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