for life and breath
DESCRIPTION
For Life and Breath. Path to Healthier Air: Toronto Air Pollution Burden of Illness Update Stephanie Gower Toronto Public Health Co-authors: Ronald Macfarlane, Marco Belmont, Kate Bassil , Monica Campbell May 1, 2014. Toronto and Toronto Public Health. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
For Life and Breath
Path to Healthier Air: Toronto Air Pollution Burden of Illness Update
Stephanie GowerToronto Public Health
Co-authors: Ronald Macfarlane, Marco Belmont, Kate Bassil, Monica Campbell
May 1, 2014
Toronto and Toronto Public Health
• Toronto Public Health is the largest local public health agency in Canada
• Mandate: programs and services that contribute to the health and well-being of residents
What has changed in 10 years?
Today2004
Health Impacts of Air Pollution
• Air pollution in Toronto from all sources currently gives rise to 1,300 premature deaths and 3,550 hospitalizations annually
• This represents a decrease of 23% in premature deaths and 41% in hospitalizations as compared with 2004 estimates
Health Impacts of Local Air Pollution
• Traffic is the most significant local source of air pollution and resulting burden of illness
• Other sources also contribute to the overall burden of illness from air pollution
Prepared by: Toronto Public Health
Premature Deaths
Hospitalizations
Pyramid of Health Effects from Traffic-Related Air Pollution
Toronto Air Quality Over Time
• Most pollutants show steady decline since 2000
• Levels since 2009 have stagnated or may be increasing
Annual Average SO2 Annual average NO2
Annual average CO
Annual average PM2.5
Annual average O3
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Con
cent
ratio
n of
SO
2(p
pb)
Year
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Con
cent
ratio
n of
NO
2(p
pb)
Year
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Con
cent
ratio
n of
CO
(ppm
)
Year
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Con
cent
ratio
n of
PM
2.5
(mg/
m3 )
Year
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Con
cent
ratio
n of
O3
(ppb
)
Year
Actions make a Difference
Photo: Hmvh1
Canada-Wide Standards for
Particulate Matter and
Ozone
Commuting Trends
Active Transportation
Heavy Truck Emissions
Highways
• Nitrogen Oxide levels across Toronto are especially high near major highways
Energy Efficiency
Photos: Andreas MeckGigantichoundSimonP
• Emissions related to natural gas combustion are related to about 28% of premature deaths and 20% of hospitalizations arising from air pollution emitted with Toronto's borders
Industrial Emissions
• Air pollution from large industries contributes to 18% of premature deaths and 10% of hospitalizations from air pollution emitted within Toronto
Local Variation in Air Quality
• Burden of illness numbers are averages for Toronto
• Air Monitoring and Air Modelling are tools that can help provide information at the neighbourhood scale Photo: Martin Cathrae
Key Policy Recommendations
• Ontario to fund municipal transit and active transportation infrastructure to reduce air pollution emissions in Toronto and the GTHA;
• ensure that all Metrolinx "Big Move" projects incorporate safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists to encourage travel that reduces air pollution emissions;
• the City of Toronto develop an urban freight strategy to improve efficiency and co-ordination of heavy-duty vehicles which often have high emissions;
• the City of Toronto explore design solutions to mitigate impacts of highway emissions on nearby residential areas;
• improve access to air monitoring equipment that can measure air pollution levels on and near roads by sharing costs with neighbouring municipalities and the provincial government.
Next Steps
• City Council May 6-7 2014
• Provincial Election?
