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For Life and Breath

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.

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For Life and Breath

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. What has changed in 10 years? • 2004 • Today

  4. 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

  5. Health Impacts of Local Air Pollution Prepared by: Toronto Public Health Premature Deaths • 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 Hospitalizations

  6. Pyramid of Health Effects from Traffic-Related Air Pollution

  7. Toronto Air Quality Over Time • Most pollutants show steady decline since 2000 • Levels since 2009 have stagnated or may be increasing

  8. Actions make a Difference Canada-Wide Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone Photo: Hmvh1

  9. Commuting Trends

  10. Active Transportation

  11. Heavy Truck Emissions

  12. Highways • Nitrogen Oxide levels across Toronto are especially high near major highways

  13. Energy Efficiency • 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 Photos: Andreas Meck Gigantichound SimonP

  14. Industrial Emissions • Air pollution from large industries contributes to 18% of premature deaths and 10% of hospitalizations from air pollution emitted within Toronto

  15. 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

  16. 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.

  17. Next Steps • City Council May 6-7 2014 • Provincial Election?

  18. For more information sgower@toronto.ca www.toronto.ca/health/reports

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