The Ontario Medical Association reports that air pollution leads to 5,900 premature deaths, 60,000 emergency room visits, 17,000 hospital admissions, and $7.8 billion in health care costs. You can find OMA’s complete report on their website.
Health Canada also has useful information on the impacts of air pollution on your health. The website explains the effects of extreme heat, impacts of smog and what you can do to alleviate its effects, and provides an in-depth look at the role traffic plays in contributing to air pollution.
The David Suzuki Foundation also has information on air quality health impacts, including the impacts of the top six air pollutants: ozone, fine particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and lead.
The Lung Association's website has information on how air pollution enters your body and tips on what you can do to help reduce your contribution to air pollution.
Smog advisory days are on the rise in Ontario: in 2005 there were a total of 53 smog alerts, up from 19 in 2003, and for the first time in Canadian history, five winter smog advisories were issued. To keep yourself informed about local air quality and to sign up for emailed air quality advisories, visit www.airqualityontario.com. You can also find daily air quality reports on the Weather Network website.
Environment Canada's Clean Air Online site has some in-depth information on the main illnesses caused by air pollution, as well as information on key pollution sources-the burning of fossil fuel, transportation, home heating, and other sources -- and tips on how you can reduce your impact.
Several independent organizations educate, advocate, and monitor government policies on clean air issues, including the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, Clean Air Partnership, and the Clean Air Foundation. Visit them to learn how coal power is a major contributor to both smog and climate change, to get information on clean energy sources and to discover clean air programs, like "Cool Schools," "Fresh Air Fair," "Idle-Free Campaign," "Car Heaven," "Go Solar," and "Switch Out ".
Air Pollution in Ontario costs 5,800 Premature Deaths, 17,000 Hospital Admittances and 60,000 Emergency Room Visits. This totals $7,800,000,000 in Health care costs, lost Work time and productivity (OMA 2005)
