Pollution could cost health-care billions: report
Published Thursday August 14th, 2008
Air quality in Metro rated 'poor' 10 days in July
OTTAWA - During the next 25 years, the provincial economy will lose billions of dollars while thousands of New Brunswickers become ill or die from the adverse health effects of air pollution, suggests a report released yesterday by the Canadian Medical Association.
The report claims more than 50 New Brunswickers will die this year as a result of exposure to air pollution.
The number of annual deaths is expected to double by 2031.
Meanwhile, economic damages, including lost productivity and health-care costs are projected to top $150 million this year and run into the billions of dollars over the next two decades.
"Air pollution directly affects our lungs, heart, arteries, and our blood system," said Dr. Ted Boadway, health and environment adviser for the Canadian Medical Association.
"When you think about 21,000 Canadians dying in a year from the acute and chronic effects of air pollution, that's something to think seriously about."
Air pollution is caused primarily by ground level ozone and microscopic particulate matter, which are the main components in smog.
Boadway, who has spent 13 years working on the study, said he combined regional census data with provincial air pollution data to calculate the long-term health effects for residents of New Brunswick.
He said the province's aging population compounds the threat, adding seniors are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution because they suffer heart and pulmonary ailments more frequently.
"They are hugely vulnerable," he said.
About one in five New Brunswickers suffers from some form of respiratory disease, including asthma, pulmonary disease, and emphysema, said Kenneth Maybee of the New Brunswick Lung Association.
"Air pollution is a very real threat to the health and well-being of all New Brunswickers," he said.
The subject of air pollution and its effects on human health continue to be hot topics of discussion as thousands of athletes gather in Beijing, China, for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Scientists say air quality in Beijing is among the worst in the world while Chinese officials consider it a good day when the air quality index reading falls below 100.
Those who monitor pollution in Canada consider air quality to be relatively good if the value is below 25.
Environment Canada classifies air quality as poor when the index value falls between 51 and 100, adding exposure during this time may have short-term adverse effects on humans while an air quality value of more than 100 may have damaging effects on a large proportion of those exposed.
Air quality readings in Beijing topped 100 regularly just days before the start of the Olympics.
Meanwhile, the air quality index in Moncton during July hovered above 25 on 10 occasions, topping out at 41 on July 27.
Fredericton also experienced 10 days in July in which the air quality index topped 25, with a maximum reading of 46 on July 3.
Dr. Brian Day, president of the Canadian Medical Association, said Canadians have no reason to feel complacent about the quality of their own air.
"We've all been hearing about China's problems, but that makes it too easy to ignore the fact that we have a serious homegrown problem of our own and will all pay a price if we ignore it," he said.
About 80 per cent of air pollution in New Brunswick originates from sources in the U.S. Midwest, Ontario, Quebec, and the Eastern Seaboard.
Regional power plants, oil refineries, mining, the pulp and paper industry, cars and other transportation also contribute to poor air quality, said Maybee, adding government has a prominent role to play to help clean up the air.
"We need concrete and real action on air pollution," he said.
"We need a national action plan on lung health if we are to stem the thousands of deaths that are to occur annually as a result of short and long-term exposure."
More The News
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
