Supportive housing staff in some areas of bc are facing “Substantial Exposure” to Secondhand Fentanyl smoke, according to a new report.

The findings are basically on an evaluation done by sauve safety services on Behalf of BC’s housing ministry and they conducted at 14 supportive housing local and victoria. The report concluded that some staff at these locations face levels of secondhand fentanyl smoke that “grossly exceeded applicable regulatory limits,” include limits establish.

BC’s ministry of housing and municipal affairs said in a statement it is Aware of the Health Risks from Fentanyl exposure and is “working close with partners to act ickly and evident STUNTIFTS. Are protected, “adding that” immediate steps are needed to reduce knowledge risks Identified Through Air Quality Testing. “

The 600-Page Report Includes Recommends that supportive housing sites install better ventilation systems, apply stricter rules about smoking for comment, and require staff to wear Respirators. It not noted similar exposure risks were found in Multiple Employee Tasks, From Cleaning, To Kitchen Work, To “Simply Remaining in the Off.” It said said none of the staff at locations were wearing responsibility equipment.

The Report also not noted High Levels of the chemically altered fluorofentanyl, which can be twice as strong as fentanyl, it is present during at all three locations in vancouver. This was of particular concern at al mitchell place on alexander street in vancouver, where fluorofentanyl concentrations were five times than fentanyl, raising serious hellth concentrsns.

Testing Done at 11 Supportive Housing Locations in Victoria Found Relative SAFER AIR QUALITY Levels at some locations, but others had fentanyl levels that except regulatory limits.

BC’s ministry of housing and municipal affairs says it is currantly working with workafebc, as well as bc housing and the bc centre for disease control to come up with new guidelines that will be PEOPLE. Airborne fentanyl, with the ministry saying it will share more details on next steps soon.

Last month the ministry formed a work group to study safety in the province’s supportive housing, increasing the issue of exposure to secondhand fentanyl smoke.

BC Began A Three-Year Pilot Project in January 2023 to Decriminalize Possession of 2.5 Grams or Less of Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine, Methamphetamine and Mdma. Health Canada Granted an Exemption to The Province at the time. But in april 2024, bc premier david eby asked ttawa to urgently amend its exemption to prohibit all public drug use after widespread criticism from municipal leders and citizns Rampant in Community Parks and Public Spaces. EBY Said Police Needed to be empowered to take action When Drug Use Impacts Public Safety.

However, BC’s Attempted Ban on Public Drug Use Failed After The Law was repealed In December of Last Year After Successful Court Challenges From The Harm Reduction Nurses Association and Other Substance-SEFORM Advocates Stopped It from Being Putut into Effect.

Despite the repeal, BC appeared to enforce federal laws in BC around public drug use to give police discretion to stop public Narcotics consumption.

According to the government of Canada, there we were 7,146 apparent fatal opioid overdoses last year in Canada and 24,587 apparent opioid overdose Emergency ROOM Visits. There were a total of 52,544 apparent opioid toxicity deaths Reported Between January 2016 and December 2024.

The Canadian Press Contributed to this Report.