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Ontario Medical Association Smog-Health Workshop?

Ontario Medical Association Smog-Health Workshop?. John Wellner Director, Health Policy, OMA. What is smog?. A mixture of air pollutants, dominated by ground-level ozone (O 3 ) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ).

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Ontario Medical Association Smog-Health Workshop?

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  1. Ontario Medical Association Smog-Health Workshop? John Wellner Director, Health Policy, OMA

  2. What is smog? • A mixture of air pollutants, dominated by ground-level ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). • Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight. • Fine particulate matter is primarily formed from chemical reactions in the atmosphere and through fuel combustion.

  3. Health Effects of Air Pollution • Very well documented Cardiac & Respiratory impacts • Pyramid of health effects - ranging from minor illness to premature death • Immediate and long-term effects

  4. Chronic Effects • The Netherlands Respiratory Study (Janssen et al. 2003) Traffic density is associated with children’s symptoms and lung function decrements • ACS Study (Pope et al. 2004) 8-18% increase in ischemic heart disease, dysrrhythmias, heart failure and cardiac arrest for an increase in 10mg/m3 in PM2.5 • Children’s Health Study in California (Gaudemann et al. 2004). PM2.5, NO2 acid vapour and elemental carbon were associated with deficits in lung growth in adolescents from the age of 10-18 years • Norwegian Men’s Cohort (Nafstad et al., 2004) 8% increase in ischemic heart diseases mortality, 11% for lung cancer mortality and 16% for respiratory mortality other than lung cancer for a 10mg/m3 in air pollution

  5. Smog-Health Studies with an Ontario focus • Toronto Public Health – Air Pollution Burden of Illness • OMA – Health Effects & Illness Costs of Air Pollution • Health Canada – Eight Cities Study

  6. OMA Smog-Wise Backgrounder • Information for Seniors • Information for Parents • Smog and Your Kids – Myths and Realities • http://www.oma.org/Health/Smog/index.asp

  7. Smog and Your Kids – Myths and Realities Smog Myth #1 - It is always better for your children to ride their bikes rather than get a drive on smoggy days. Health Reality - The longer your children ride outside, the bigger the dose of pollution to which they are exposed. Extended bike rides, much like any other strenuous exercise, will put children at greater risk. Smog Myth #3 - It is only during a smog alert that air pollution can be dangerous to my kids. Health Reality - Many children, especially asthmatics, feel the impact of pollution at levels well below the smog alert level.

  8. Myths and Realities – cont’d Smog Myth #4 - Since running the air conditioner will contribute to pollution, everyone should turn theirs off. Health Reality- Although air conditioners do contribute to smog, they are also an important defence against the combined effects of heat and pollution. It is very important to keep your children cool, especially if they are suffering from the effects of bad air.

  9. Regional Data for 2005 OMA Illness Costs of Air Pollution (ICAP) Examples of Findings

  10. For further questions - My Contact Information: john_wellner@oma.org 416-340-2953 or 800-268-7215 ext. 2953

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