Air pollution in Canada

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Industry is a significant source of air pollution in Canada. Heavy night industrial light pollution.jpg
Industry is a significant source of air pollution in Canada.

Air pollution is the release of pollutants (a substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects) into the air that are detrimental to human health and the Earth. [1] In Canada, air pollution is regulated by standards set by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), an inter-governmental body of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for the environment. Air pollution from the United States and to lesser extent Canada; caused by metal smelting, coal-burning for utilities, and vehicle emissions has resulted in acid rain, has severely impacted Canadian waterways, forest growth, and agricultural productivity. [2]

Contents

Pollution reduces the value of the assets that make up Canadians’ wealth. Properties are less valuable when they are polluted. It is estimated that pollution costs Canada tens of billions of dollars every year. [3] Transportation is one of the main sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada and are responsible for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gases and air pollutants in Canada. Pollutants' concentrations in the air can be influenced by many factors, such as the number of air pollutants, proximity to sources, and weather conditions. Canada’s population and economy growth increases the demand for the production and supply of services, transportation and housing. The energy required to meet such demands comes partially from fossil fuels, which affects air quality. The growing demand for Canadian exports, such as the oil and gas industry, also generates the release of air pollutants. [4]

Exposure and control

According to a recent study in 2018, Canada ranks 9th out of the 33 richest and cleanest countries on the planet for overall air quality. [5]

Health Canada states that each person in Canada is exposed to air pollution, and that even at low levels, it can affect human health. Scientific research shows that air pollution leads to disease, increased hospitalizations, and premature death. [6]

Although air pollution is a mixture of substances, most health effects are associated with the major components of smog which include the following:

Air pollution levels are relatively low in Canada compared to other countries but managing air pollution is still a concern for the Government of Canada. The CCME has set Canada Wide Standards (CWS). [7] [8] These are:

Note that there is no consequence in Canada to not achieving these standards. In addition, these only apply to jurisdictions with populations greater than 100,000. Further, provinces and territories may set more stringent standards than those set by the CCME.

Health impacts

Asthmatic airway versus normal lungs' airway An Asthma patient taking medication using an inhaler.png
Asthmatic airway versus normal lungs' airway

The Government of Canada estimates that 14,600 premature deaths per year in Canada can be linked to air pollution from fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone, from the report Health Impacts of Air Pollution in Canada – Estimates of Morbidity Outcomes and Premature Mortalities - 2019. The number of asthma symptom days reach 2.7 million, while the number of acute respiratory symptom days reach 35 million. The total economic assessment of the health impacts related to air pollution in Canada is $114 billion per year (according to 2015).

Ambient levels of the pollutants are determined from a combination of: satellite measurements, ground measurements, and air quality computer models.

Maps are created to show air pollution levels across Canada for each pollutant and the relevant distribution of the population across Canada. The exposure of Canadians to air pollution is estimated by combining the air pollution and population maps. Health Canada uses a computer model called the Air Quality Benefits Assessment Tool (AQBAT). The AQBAT model has mathematical equations that show relations between air pollution and health effects. The equations are based on scientific findings and the AQBAT model generates an estimate of the number of premature deaths in Canada. The scientific method used is similar to those used by other health organizations, both in Canada and internationally. All conclude that air pollution has significant impacts on human health. [9]

Control by province

Alberta

Alberta has motives to address cumulative environmental impacts through regional plans under the Land Use Framework. Recent studies observed positive associations between outdoor air pollution and emergency department visits for asthma in Alberta. [10] The frameworks identify regional objectives and set thresholds like targets and limits. Industrial air quality is managed mostly through environmental assessment, approvals and enforcement. Acid Deposition Management Framework, Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards For Particulate Matter and Ozone, and Emissions Management Framework for the Alberta Electricity Sector Management are frameworks in effect. Ambient air monitoring in Alberta includes assessing impact of releases on the environment, pollution control technologies and tracking trends in environmental performance and effects. Community monitoring uses stations to measure the level of air pollution and track trends over time, while perimeter monitoring involves discrete sampling of substances at various locations along an industrial facility's property boundary to measure the level of pollution leaving a facility. Alberta Environment and Parks’ researchers are also actively involved in studies about wildfire smoke and air quality, studying fine particulate matter and other air pollutants during the Horse River Wildfire in the Fort McMurray area. [11]

In the north and northeast of Alberta, oil sands deposits are present are important to the Alberta and Canadian economy but bring attention to the national and international level about their potential effects on the environment and public health. An interest at the national and international level about the status of air quality in the oil sands region of Alberta has risen. Alberta's oil sands are the third largest reservoir of crude oil in the world with proven oil reserves of 170 billion barrels, with 1.7 billion barrels of conventional crude oil after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. [12]

A Fort McMurray Wildfire Fort McMurray Wildfire.jpg
A Fort McMurray Wildfire

British Columbia

Manitoba

In cooperation with Environment Canada, ambient air is monitored on selected urban areas within Manitoba. Manitoba is compliant with the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone. [13]

New Brunswick

Fuel production causes majority of the air pollution in New Brunswick. Emissions come from engines, homes and industrial heating systems, from manufacturing operations and power-generating stations. Forest fires also occur and can be a major natural source of air pollution.. Major weather systems reach New Brunswick from the west and up the Atlantic seaboard, bringing pollutants from the more industrialized and densely populated areas of the United States and central Canada. In the southern part of the province, air from the Bay of Fundy can slow the dispersal of air pollutants and trap them close to ground level. There are more than 60 separate locations across the province monitor ambient air quality all year round. [14]

Newfoundland and Labrador

National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) is a cooperation of federal, provincial, territorial and some regional governments measuring air quality throughout Canada. It is in place in the province and supports air quality programs across Canada designed to protect human health and the environment. Air Monitoring sites located in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook and Port Aux Choix are NAPS stations. The Air Monitoring site located in Burin is a temporary mobile station. The air monitoring site located in Labrador City is an industrial station for which Environment Canada has added an ozone monitor to predict an air quality health index for the area. Data from the NAPS Program are included in the Canada-wide Air Quality Database and are published in annual air quality data summary reports. [15]

Nova Scotia

The main sources of air pollution in Nova Scotia come burning fossil fuels for electricity generation and transportation. Residential wood burning is also a significant contributor of air pollution in Nova Scotia. The province has air monitoring stations in Aylesford, Dartmouth, Halifax, Pictou, Port Hawkesbury and Sydney. They provide technical support for a station on Sable Island and Environment Canada maintains stations in Dayton, Kejimkujik National Park and Kentville. The stations are located in commercial, industrial and residential areas. Nova Scotia also has an acid rain monitoring station at Sherbrooke in Guysborough County. There are targets in place for the province to reduce its sulfur dioxide, mercury and nitrogen oxides emissions. [16]

Ontario

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks aims to protect and improve air quality through legislation, targeted programs, and partnerships with other jurisdictions in Ontario. It works with a network of 38 ambient air monitoring stations across Ontario that collect real-time air pollution data. This information is communicated to the public through Ontario's new Air Quality Health Index with hourly concentrations of pollutants. Every year, air quality is reported to assess the state of air quality in Ontario based on the provincial Air Quality Health Index network. [17]

Previous studies in Canada indicated that people living close to major roads had mortality rate advancements of 2.5 years and a significant increase in all-cause mortality of 18%. Such health effects might be due to higher intake fractions and subsequent doses for residents living near roadways or to the higher toxicity of traffic pollutants compared with other sources. A study in Toronto, the most populated city in Canada, took place, where many urban roads cross the city, exposing citizens to wide range of variation in traffic with its related pollutants. It found a 40% increase in circulatory mortality from an exposure from nitrogen dioxide. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution was significantly associated with increased all-cause and circulatory mortality in the study. [18]

The law in Ontario regulates contaminants released to air by sources such as industrial and commercial facilities, to control exposure to contaminants If a business emits any contaminants to the air, it must comply with the regulation by meeting certain standards that may apply. There are three compliance approaches under the regulation: [19]

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is implemented an acid rain reduction plan as a result of commitments made at the 1998 Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. The Canada-wide Standard for Particulate Matter is PM2.5 with an optional PM10 value of 60 µg/m3, over a 24- hour period by the year 2010. Prince Edward Island’s PM10 and PM2.5 numbers are significantly lower as the air is relatively clean. [20]

Quebec

In a study in Montreal, fixed-site air pollution monitors provided daily mean levels of ozone, particles, and other gaseous pollutants. Information on the date and underlying cause of death was obtained for residents of Montreal who died in the city between 1984 and 1993. They found that, an increase to the mean level of ozone was associated with a 21% increase over the mean number of daily ER visits. [21]

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has a network of 19 continuous air monitoring stations. These stations track emissions from industry, mining, agriculture, forest fires and vehicles. Air pollution levels are normally quite low in Saskatchewan except during forest fires and pockets of gas emissions connected to the energy sector. Air pollutant volume measures the amounts of major air pollutants released each year in Saskatchewan. [22]

Control in territories

Northwest Territories

The Government of the Northwest Territories aims to protect and manage air quality by monitoring air quality as part of a Canada-wide network, giving recommendations and oversight during industrial regulatory processes, providing current and historical air quality data, including real-time data from four community monitoring stations in Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Smith and Yellowknife and being in the Canada-wide Air Quality Management System to ensure consistent air quality management across the country. The government of Northwest Territories reports information on air quality monitoring network operations, air pollutants monitored, air quality standards used to assess the monitoring results, and trends in NWT air quality annually. [23]

Nunavut

The Government of Nunavut Department of Environment launched the federal Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) program in Iqaluit, Kugluktuk and Arviat in 2018. The most common air contaminants there are fine and coarse particulate matter, Total Suspended Particulate, Nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur dioxide and ground-level ozone. [24]

Yukon

The Government of Yukon collaborates with the City of Whitehorse and federal agencies to monitor air quality. Industry also conducts air quality monitoring when required. The Government of Yukon has been operating an outdoor air quality monitoring station in downtown Whitehorse since 2011. In fall 2019, the Government of Yukon started a program with Yukon's Chief Medical Officer of Health and Environment and Climate Change Canada to install small particulate matter sensors called Purple Air sensors. [25]

See also

Related Research Articles

Pollutant Substance or energy damaging to the environment

A pollutant is a substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource. A pollutant may cause long- or short-term damage by changing the growth rate of plant or animal species, or by interfering with human amenities, comfort, health, or property values. Some pollutants are biodegradable and therefore will not persist in the environment in the long term. However, the degradation products of some pollutants are themselves polluting such as the products DDE and DDD produced from the degradation of DDT.

Smog Smoke-like, fog-like air pollutions

Smoke fog, or smog for short, is a type of intense air pollution. The word "smog" was coined in the early 20th century, and is a contraction (portmanteau) of the words smoke and fog to refer to smoky fog due to its opacity, and odor. The word was then intended to refer to what was sometimes known as pea soup fog, a familiar and serious problem in London from the 19th century to the mid-20th century. This kind of visible air pollution is composed of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ozone, smoke and other particulates. Man-made smog is derived from coal combustion emissions, vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, forest and agricultural fires and photochemical reactions of these emissions.

Exhaust gas Gases emitted as a result of fuel reactions in combustion engines

Exhaust gas or flue gas is emitted as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline (petrol), diesel fuel, fuel oil, biodiesel blends, or coal. According to the type of engine, it is discharged into the atmosphere through an exhaust pipe, flue gas stack, or propelling nozzle. It often disperses downwind in a pattern called an exhaust plume.

Air pollution in British Columbia

Air pollution is a concern in British Columbia, Canada because of its effects on health and visibility. Air quality is influenced in British Columbia (BC) by numerous mountain ranges and valleys, which complicate atmospheric pollution dispersion and can lead to high concentrations of pollutants such as particulate matter from wood smoke.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards are limits on atmospheric concentration of six pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, and other health hazards. Established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under authority of the Clean Air Act, NAAQS is applied for outdoor air throughout the country.

Air quality index Measure of pollution

An air quality index (AQI) is used by government agencies to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become. Public health risks increase as the AQI rises. Different countries have their own air quality indices, corresponding to different national air quality standards. Some of these are the Air Quality Health Index (Canada), the Air Pollution Index (Malaysia), and the Pollutant Standards Index (Singapore).

The Air Pollution Index (API) is a simple and generalized way to describe the air quality, which is used in Malaysia. It is calculated from several sets of air pollution data and was formerly used in mainland China and Hong Kong. In mainland China the API was replaced by an updated air quality index in early 2012 and on 30 December 2013 Hong Kong moved to a health based index.

The Pollutant Standards Index, or PSI, is a type of air quality index, which is a number used to indicate the level of pollutants in air.

Air pollution Harmful substances in the atmosphere

Air pollution is the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials. There are many different types of air pollutants, such as gases, particulates, and biological molecules. Air pollution may cause diseases, allergies and even death to humans; it may also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural environment or built environment. Both human activity and natural processes can generate air pollution.

Particulate pollution is pollution of an environment that consists of particles suspended in some medium. There are three primary forms: atmospheric particulate matter, marine debris, and space debris. Some particles are released directly from a specific source, while others form in chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Particulate pollution can be derived from either natural sources or anthropogenic processes.

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials into the atmosphere, causing harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damaging ecosystems. Air pollution can cause health problems including infections, behavioral changes, cancer, organ failure, and premature death. These health effects are not equally distributed across the U.S population; there are demographic disparities by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education. Air pollution has affected the United States since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Clean Air Act (United States)

The Clean Air Act is a United States federal law which limits national air pollution. Initially enacted in 1963 and amended in 1965, 1967, 1970, 1977, and 1990, it is one of the United States' first and most influential modern environmental laws, and one of the most comprehensive air quality laws in the world. As with many other major U.S. federal environmental statutes, it is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with state, local, and tribal governments.

Environmental impact of paper

The environmental impact of paper is significant, which has led to changes in industry and behaviour at both business and personal levels. With the use of modern technology such as the printing press and the highly mechanized harvesting of wood, disposable paper became a relatively cheap commodity, which led to a high level of consumption and waste. The rise in global environmental issues such as air and water pollution, climate change, overflowing landfills and clearcutting have all lead to increased government regulations. There is now a trend towards sustainability in the pulp and paper industry as it moves to reduce clear cutting, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel consumption and clean up its impacts on local water supplies and air pollution.

Air quality law

Air quality laws govern the emission of air pollutants into the atmosphere. A specialized subset of air quality laws regulate the quality of air inside buildings. Air quality laws are often designed specifically to protect human health by limiting or eliminating airborne pollutant concentrations. Other initiatives are designed to address broader ecological problems, such as limitations on chemicals that affect the ozone layer, and emissions trading programs to address acid rain or climate change. Regulatory efforts include identifying and categorizing air pollutants, setting limits on acceptable emissions levels, and dictating necessary or appropriate mitigation technologies.

Air pollution in Mexico City Poor quality of air in the capital and largest city of Mexico

Air Pollution in Mexico City has been a concerning issue to all pop people and members of the health departments for some time. In the 20th century, Mexico City's population rapidly increased as industrialization brought thousands of migrants from all over the world.". Such a rapid and unexpected growth led to the UN declaring Mexico City as the most polluted city in the world in 1992. This is perhaps due to Mexico City's high altitude, its oxygen levels are 25% lower and fuels do not combust completely. But it is important to mention that proliferation of vehicles, rapid industrial growth and the population boom are considered the main causes of this situation. The Mexican government has several active plans to try to reduce the emission levels that requires citizen participation, some of which include vehicular restrictions, increase of green areas and expanding bicycle accessibility.

Pollution in Canada Overview of pollution in Canada

Pollution is an environmental issue in Canada. It has posed health risks to the Canadian population and is an area of concern for Canadian lawmakers. Air, water and soil pollution as well as the health effects associated with these three types of pollution, are prominent points of contention in modern Canadian society.

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed in Canada to help understand the impact of air quality on health. It is a health protection tool used to make decisions to reduce short-term exposure to air pollution by adjusting activity levels during increased levels of air pollution. The Air Quality Health Index also provides advice on how to improve air quality by proposing behavioral change to reduce the environmental footprint. This index pays particular attention to people who are sensitive to air pollution. It provides them with advice on how to protect their health during air quality levels associated with low, moderate, high and very high health risks.

Air pollution in India Air pollution in India

Air pollution in India is a serious health issue. Of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, 21 were in India in 2019. As per a study based on 2016 data, at least 140 million people in India breathe air that is 10 times or more over the WHO safe limit and 13 of the world's 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution are in India. The 51% of pollution is caused by the industrial pollution, 27 % by vehicles, 17% by crop burning and 5% by fireworks. Air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians every year. Emissions come from vehicles and industry, whereas in rural areas, much of the pollution stems from biomass burning for cooking and keeping warm. In autumn and spring months, large scale crop residue burning in agriculture fields – a cheaper alternative to mechanical tilling – is a major source of smoke, smog and particulate pollution. India has a low per capita emissions of greenhouse gases but the country as a whole is the third largest greenhouse gas producer after China and the United States. A 2013 study on non-smokers has found that Indians have 30% weaker lung function than Europeans.

Air quality guideline is an annual mean concentration guideline for particulate matter from the World Health Organization, most recently updated in 2005 and published in 2006. The 2005 guidelines offer guidance about four air pollutants: particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The WHO first released the air quality guidelines in 1987, then originally updated them in 1997. The reports provide guidelines intending to reduce the health effects of air pollution. The guideline stipulates that PM2.5 not exceed 10 μg/m3 annual mean, or 25 μg/m3 24-hour mean; and that PM10 not exceed 20 μg/m3 annual mean, or 50 μg/m3 24-hour mean. For ozone (O3), the guidelines suggest values no higher than 100 μg/m3 for an 8-hour mean. For nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the guidelines set 40 μg/m3 for the annual mean or 200 μg/m3 for a 1-hour mean. For sulfur dioxide (SO2), the guidelines stipulate concentrations not exceeding 20 μg/m3 24-hour mean or 500 μg/m3 10-minute mean.

Since the late 1970s, the European Union's (EU) policy has been to develop and drive appropriate measures to improve air quality throughout the EU. The control of emissions from mobile sources, improving fuel quality and promoting and integrating environmental protection requirements into the transport and energy sector are part of these aims.

References

  1. ↑ Mackenzie J (November 2016). "Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know". NRDC. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  2. ↑ Boyd DR (2011). Unnatural Law: Rethinking Canadian Environmental Law and Policy. UBC Press. pp. 67–69. ISBN   978-0-7748-4063-7.
  3. ↑ "Costs of Pollution in Canada". www.iisd.org. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  4. ↑ "Canada Air Quality Index (AQI) and Air Pollution information | AirVisual". www.iqair.com. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  5. ↑ "The results are in—Canada's air quality among the best in the world : op-ed". Fraser Institute. 2018-04-20. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  6. ↑ "Health effects of air pollution". aem. Health Canada. 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  7. ↑ "Canada-wide Standards". Archived from the original on 2004-07-06. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  8. ↑ "Canada-Wide Standards for Particulate Matter (PM) and Ozone" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  9. ↑ "Health effects of air pollution". aem. Health Canada. 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  10. ↑ Villeneuve PJ, Chen L, Rowe BH, Coates F (December 2007). "Outdoor air pollution and emergency department visits for asthma among children and adults: a case-crossover study in northern Alberta, Canada". Environmental Health. 6 (1): 40. doi:10.1186/1476-069X-6-40. PMC   2254596 . PMID   18157917.
  11. ↑ "Provincial air quality management". www.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  12. ↑ Bari MA, Kindzierski WB (July 2016). "Evaluation of air quality indicators in Alberta, Canada - An international perspective". Environment International. 92–93: 119–29. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2016.03.021. PMID   27071052.
  13. ↑ Conservation Climate, and. "Conservation and Climate". www.gov.mb.ca. Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  14. ↑ Government of New Brunswick Canada (2012-03-12). "Air Quality Monitoring in New Brunswick - Environment and Local Government". www2.gnb.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  15. ↑ "Air Monitoring". Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  16. ↑ "Environment". Government of Nova Scotia.
  17. ↑ "Air Quality Ontario". www.airqualityontario.com. Government of Ontario, Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  18. ↑ Jerrett M, Finkelstein MM, Brook JR, Arain MA, Kanaroglou P, Stieb DM, et al. (May 2009). "A cohort study of traffic-related air pollution and mortality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada". Environmental Health Perspectives. 117 (5): 772–7. doi:10.1289/ehp.11533. PMC   2685840 . PMID   19479020.
  19. ↑ "Rules on air quality and pollution". www.ontario.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  20. ↑ Gillan C. "State of the Environment Report" (PDF). Government of Prince Edward Island.
  21. ↑ Delfino RJ, Murphy-Moulton AM, Burnett RT, Brook JR, Becklake MR (February 1997). "Effects of air pollution on emergency room visits for respiratory illnesses in Montreal, Quebec". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 155 (2): 568–76. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.155.2.9032196. PMID   9032196.
  22. ↑ "Air Quality and Emissions | State of the Environment". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  23. ↑ "Environment and Natural Resources: Air Quality". Government of Northwest Territories.
  24. ↑ "Environmental Guideline for Ambient Air Quality" (PDF). Government of Nunavut.
  25. ↑ "Air quality in Yukon". yukon.ca. 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
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