You don't have to drive to be affected by those who do. A new report on the dangers of air pollution and health shows what doctors have long suspected - the effects of the sometimes invisible emissions from all those cars crowding GTA streets is killing more people than ever before.
The study, from
Toronto Public Health, estimates that more than 440 of the estimated 1,700 pollution-related deaths in the city every year come directly from traffic emissions. And the city's Medical Officer of Health fears unless something is done soon, the toll could keep going up.
"The health effects of common vehicle pollutants range from premature death and hospitalization for respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses predominantly to less serious but more frequent effects such as bronchitis and asthma symptoms," Dr. David McKeown warns. "While the majority of hospitalizations and serious effects involve the elderly, traffic related pollution also has a significant effect on children's health."
Many believe City Hall has declared war on the car. So do you believe the figures in the new report? Some do and some don't. "Definitely," insists one woman. "You can tell with the smog in the summer. It's definitely increased over the years and with the amount of cars on the road, there's a definite correlation."
But Mike Cleavon doesn't buy it. "I don't think the pollution is a big concern here," he insists. "I don't think it's that bad here compared to other places."
But McKeown points out the number of vehicles travelling into and out of the city has risen by 75 per cent in the past few decades. The Board of Health recommends reducing emissions by about 30 per cent, which would save an estimated 200 lives.
How can they do that? Among the suggestions: promoting transit use, improving infrastructure for walking and biking, increasing the number of dedicated bus and streetcar lanes and adding 1,000 kilometres of new bike lanes. Another suggestion is converting the city's taxi fleet to hybrids. And McKeown claims we can't hold our breaths waiting for it to get better. He wants to see the recommendations in gear by 2008 or run the risk of losing more lives.
Study Highlights
-Motor vehicles generate three types of air pollutants: common smog-causing pollutants; air toxics; and greenhouse gases.
-Vehicles are the largest source of carbon monoxide (85%) and nitrogen oxides (69%) emissions within Toronto, and a significant source of tiny particles (16%). In addition, vehicles are a significant and chronic source of 'air toxics' (toxic substances in the air).
-The number of vehicles traveling into and out of the city each morning has increased by about 75% over the last two decades. In 2006, 67% of trips into Toronto were made by single occupant vehicles, while only about 14% contained more than one person. Only 20% went by public transit.
-The health effects of common smog pollutants range from premature death and hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, to less serious but more frequent effects such as chronic bronchitis and asthma symptoms. Air pollution has also been linked to increased incidences of heart attacks, strokes and cancer.
-People living or working close to high-traffic areas experience more adverse effects than people who are further away from traffic sources.
-It's estimated that children experience more than 1,200 acute bronchitis episodes per year as a result of traffic pollution. Kids are also likely to experience the majority of asthma symptom days (estimated to be about 68,000 per year)
-Overall, traffic-related pollution effects contribute to 67,000 acute respiratory symptom days, and 200,000 restricted activity days during which people spend days in bed or away from their usual activities. The loss costs Toronto $2.2 billion each year.
-30-50% reduction in car traffic needed to solve the problems, saving nearly 200 lives and $900 million dollars in health benefits annually.
Source: City Of Toronto
See the full report highlights here.
For more on air pollution and traffic effects, click here.