‘Grossly exceeded’: Fentanyl in air at Vancouver supportive housing offices
GREATER VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, JUL 21 – Testing at 14 supportive housing sites found airborne fentanyl levels exceeding safety limits in offices, prompting a provincial working group to improve protection for staff and tenants.
- On July 21, 2025, Sauve Safety Services assessed occupational fentanyl exposures at the Osborn facility on West Hastings Street, which grossly exceeded regulatory limits, indicating significant occupational risk.
- In June, the province formed a working group to address safety in supportive housing, drawing on results from air quality tests at 14 British Columbia facilities.
- Analysis of air samples showed `it's actually very similar to smog pollution and can give people pretty significant irritation, coughing`, Dr. Ryan Marino said, highlighting health risks from fluorofentanyl.
- The B.C. Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs said it takes concerns about possible worker exposure seriously, and is working to develop safety guidance.
- On July 3, Mayor Ken Sim announced five potential city-owned sites for new supportive housing, while Vancouver City Council is exploring alternatives to three current sites in the Granville Entertainment District under a new revitalization plan.
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‘Grossly exceeded’: Fentanyl in air at Vancouver supportive housing offices
The presence of second-hand fentanyl smoke is so severe at some British Columbia supportive housing facilities that workers cannot escape “substantial exposure,” even if they stay in their offices and don’t venture into hallways or tenants rooms.
·Canada
Read Full ArticleAirborne fentanyl at some B.C. supportive housing sites a risk to workers, says report
The report conducted for B.C. Housing found second-hand fentanyl smoke "grossly exceeded" workplace regulatory limits in some facilities. A medical toxicologist says the smoke is "similar to smog pollution" and can significantly irritate a person's airways.
·Canada
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Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 40%
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