The air in Kamloops, British Columbia had been improving around Domtar‘s pulp mill, but that trend suffered a set back in July.

The British Columbia Ministry of the Environment measured 198.8 milligrams of particulate during the air quality test on July 8.

Domtar’s air quality permit allows particulate levels up to 200 milligrams, but that level will drop to a permitted 180 milligrams in 2012.

The similar test in March measured 158 milligrams of particulate. The average score in 2010 for Domtar was 151 milligrams of particulate matter.

A Domtar spokesperson blamed the test results on two factors, noting the operating conditions at the mill weren’t as stable at the time of the test and officials discovered minor problems with the suction on air-testing equipment.

The spokesperson said the mill has done work since the test to understand the variation and expects the third-quarter results to be significantly better.

As part of an amended permit handed out by the MOE in 2009, the mill is subject to emissions testing every three months.

Domtar is currently constructing 2 new double power-boiler stacks that are expected to be complete by 2012.

Read more:
Domtar almosts gets an F in test (Kamloops This Week)
2010 Domtar Stack Particulate Update (City of Kamloops)
Domtar ahead of next year’s emission reductions (Kamloops This Week)