Smog Has Serious Environmental and Health Impacts:
Reducing Greenhouse Gases Also Contributes to Reducing Smog

“A correlation has been established between high levels of airborne Particulate Matter (PM) and increases in emergency room visits, hospital admissions and deaths.” (Environment Canada)

Smog has serious health effects. It is a significant cause of premature death in this country, and impairs the health of millions of people. Smog harms wildlife and natural ecosystems. Smog costs us billions – in extra health care costs, in days lost to work, and damage to farm crops and forests.

“Numerous studies have linked particulate matter (PM) emitted from fossil fuel technology to aggravated cardiac and respiratory (heart and lung) diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, and to various forms of heart disease. Children and the elderly, as well as people with respiratory disorders such as asthma, are particularly susceptible to health effects caused by PM (Environment Canada’s Website: www.ec.gc.ca).  

Local pollutant emissions are caused by a wide variety of activities which we take for granted:

We’re Also Responsible for Climate Change & Smog in HRM

While we are greatly affected by long range transport of pollutants from elsewhere, we cannot ignore the air pollution we produce ourselves. On a per capita basis, Atlantic Canada is a larger producer of air pollution than most jurisdictions, including many of those upwind regions that are a source of transboundary pollution. This is because of our high reliance on fossil fuels such as heavy oil and coal for electricity and manufacturing, which are often used with limited emission controls.

 

 

On a Large Scale: Industrial or utility operations which burn fossil fuels, such as refineries, pulp and paper facilities and power plants, produce pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, fine particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Coal-fired power plants and waste incinerators are also significant sources of mercury.

On a Smaller Scale: Many of the everyday activities that individuals take for granted contribute to air pollution. Heating our homes, driving our cars, and using gas-powered tools and vehicles (gas-powered lawn mowers, outboard motors, ATVs.) are all a direct source of a variety of air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

 Wood Burning Contributes to Smog & Global Warming

Residential wood burning, which is a particularly large contributor to air pollution, is more prevalent in this Region than any other region in Canada. Heating with wood is a common practice in many Canadian communities. However, many of those who heat with wood may not be aware of the multiple threats of wood smoke to their health, and the health of their families and neighbours.

In communities where wood burning is a common source of heating, air quality problems can intensify, and pollutants from wood smoke can become more concentrated at ground level, particularly during periods of calm wind.

Wood smoke is a complex mixture of numerous very small particles, together with various gases. Many of these chemical components can be hazardous and toxic. These include:

Smoke particles called particulate matter or PMs

Recent studies show that any increase in ambient concentrations of some of these air pollutants can cause health effects in some individuals. Exposure to wood smoke can lead to a worsening of existing heart and respiratory conditions (angina, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma), eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and over the long term, increased risk of cancer and genetic mutations.