Air Pollution In Canada Facts That Will Completely Shock You

Air pollution is an extremely pertinent issue in the modern world.

Almost every country is facing this problem. Here, we are going to talk about one such country from the North American continent called Canada.

Air pollution is affecting not only the population’s health but it is proving detrimental to the country’s buildings too. Smog and acid rain are two major problems occurring due to air pollution. But is that all there is to air pollution? No, there’s more than what meets the eye.

We see the smoke coming out from vehicles or industries. But what about other factors that indirectly contribute to the detriment of the environment and deterioration of the air quality? Pollution from any source is taking a massive toll on people, their families, and their businesses. Even the flora and fauna aren’t spared from the wrath of pollution.

Let's learn about air pollution in Canada. Afterward, also check out Los Angeles pollution facts and air pollution in Mexico City facts.

Key Drivers Of Air Pollution

Outdoor air waste product concentrations may be influenced by several factors. There are a number of air pollutants discharged by various sources, and environmental conditions like air temperature, the soundness of the air, wind speed, and direction all play a role.

Some air pollutants can be carried by the wind and have an effect on the air quality in locations that are thousands of miles or kilometers away from the sources.

There is a giant issue with excess particulate matter and pollution in Canada. Canada has 73% more air pollution than its neighbors the US. Canada's population is eight times smaller than that of the US; however, they have a tendency to produce more pollution. Emissions are caused by transportation, agriculture, construction, wood burning, and energy production.

There is a chance that people might die from acid precipitation if they aren’t careful with what they eat or breathe; however, it's not easy to observe what they are breathing. Too much acidity in the atmosphere results in acid precipitation which can further kill animals and plants. The rain can flow through the soil and kill trees and therefore the acid can find itself in rivers that animals drink from and may also kill these animals.

Fish are affected once the acid rain reaches the water. Fish are killed or infected them so when humans go fishing and catch an infected fish it will presumably make somebody sick if the fish is eaten.

Key Impacts Of Air Pollution

We understand that primary sources of air pollution include transportation; electricity generation; iron, steel, and other base metal smelters and refineries; and metallic element plants and factories.

Air pollution is a package full of issues. The world will soon face a massive issue if air pollution is not controlled in time. Some mind-blowing facts about air pollution are listed below.

Human life can be decreased by one to two years every time polluted air is inhaled. Its effects can be as minuscule as burning eyes and throat and as giant as respiration issues and death.

Pollutants that are freely released into the air as well as land and water pollutants, are the most harmful. Harmful air pollution poses a bigger threat to youngsters because of their smaller physical size and smaller respiratory organ capacity.

Pollutants released into the air easily mix with air particles and are comparatively difficult to differentiate from pollutants that are released in water or on land.

The Cost Of Pollution In Canada

Despite the fact that pollution is spreading like a disease, Canadians aren't adequately aware of these pollutants. Numerous studies have assessed the effects of specific pollutants, but no single study covers them all. Industries have little information regarding the costs of pollution.

Every study consequently leads to an incomplete and complex array of knowledge that would not be easily understood by a citizen. Thanks to work by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), there is clarity in understanding the higher estimate of prices of pollution in Canada.

In a report released earlier this year, IISD found that pollution costs Canadians several billion dollars a year in health and well-being. The report, called 'The Prices of Pollution in Canada', measures the impacts on families, businesses, and governments, and found that pollution of every kind cost Canadians a minimum of $39 billion in 2015. For a Canadian family of four, that's the equivalent of $4,300 annually.

IISD defines pollution as materials and energy that are released into the setting by humans or through human actions. Pollution's impact extends on the far side of health and wellness, and incorporates loss of income and high costs to mitigate its effects.

There are three forms of effects from pollution which are listed below.

Pollution causes reduced human welfare such as premature death (mortality) and increased morbidity, and reduced air quality means less opportunities for recreational activities outdoors.

Urban pollution has a vital impact on those with metabolic process problems, worsening their illness and even shortening their lifespan.

Pollution causes reduced production and consumption of market products and services. These cause reduced revenue for businesses, increased prices for producers, and increased costs for shoppers.

Most of the prices that IISD were able to estimate were of urban air pollution, which has been widely studied. In fact, the newest analysis shows that there were over 7,700 deaths in Canada in 2015. In total, the cost of smog to Canada and Canadians is estimated to have been $36 billion in 2015.

Exposure To Air Pollution

The Canadian government estimates that approximately 15,300 premature deaths take place every year due to pollution-related issues. The fine matter, carbon dioxide, and ozone are severely affecting the health of the population.

This study was made available to the public by the 'Health Impacts of Pollution in Canada – Estimates of Premature Deaths and Nonlethal Outcomes 2021 Report'. In today’s world, unclean air has caused almost 2.7 million people to suffer from the symptoms of bronchial asthma, while 35 million people are suffering from acute metabolism syndrome.

There is a tool known as the 'Air Quality Benefits Assessment Tool' (AQBAT) which is being used by Health Canada. The AQBAT uses mathematical equations to explain how pollution is having an adverse impact on people. The explanations are strongly backed by scientific proof. There is no denying that air pollution is having negative implications on humans, flora, and fauna AQBAT's report substantiates it.

Ways To Tackle Air Pollution

There are some some simple ways of dealing with air pollution.

Government can help businesses that manufacture net-zero technologies through reduced tax rates breaks and investment in decarbonizing efforts.

Governments can provide incentives towards the acquisition of zero-emission vehicles.

Funding to install electric charging and element supplying stations can be provided.

Guaranteeing Canadians use high-quality fuels by setting up rules that limit polluting inflicting parts in fuels that are produced, imported, or oversubscribed in Canada is another idea.

There aren’t many known environmental partnerships between countries but the US and Canada have joined hands in taking care of their environment together. Their partnership is the oldest and the world’s only partnership that is made to look after the environment. This agreement came into force because the US-Canada border has five lakes, many rivers and is also a migratory route for birds. Additionally, many native tribes from both countries have settled in the border region.

The US and Canada have to work hand-in-hand to protect the ecosystem and the indigenous group of people residing at the border. Both governments have signed more than 40 agreements for managing and protecting the ecosystem.

Both US and Canada need to continue to share their policies and programs to ensure that no efforts are spared in restoring the ecosystem shared by both countries.

The United States-Canada Air Quality Agreement was signed by Canada and also the US in 1991, to deal with transboundary pollution resulting in air pollution. The countries united to scale back emissions of pollutant (SO2) and gas oxides (NOx), the first precursors to acid rain, and to work together on acid rain research.

Both Canada and the US have had progress in reducing emissions of pollutants that cause acid rain and ground-level gas since 1991.

Animal and human lives are liable to be hurt from pollution. Waste material problems include acid rain, other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and alternative poisonous substances. Insects, worms, clams, fish, birds and mammals all interact with their atmosphere in several ways. Alternatively, acid rain can increase the discharge of serious metals, similar to aluminum, from soils into water habitats. The result is higher accessibility of heavy metals within the water column, which is terribly poisonous to several animals and fish.

At the commencement of the year, Canada witnessed 'good' quality air which was a US AQI figure of 32. This classification is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO). A large body of scientific proof has accumulated over the past 25 years, attributing a large variety of adverse health effects to both indoor and outdoor pollution exposure.

Adverse health effects include metastasis symptoms, general illness and premature death. Important advances within the health and sciences fields over the last 20 years have made it possible to estimate the number of deaths and illnesses related to pollution. In Canada and internationally, health impact assessments have determined that air pollution is one of the biggest risk factors for premature death and disability.

Air pollution has been a problem prevalent in the world for a long time and it is impossible for it to be solved overnight. But even the tiniest bit of effort can tip the scale. So all sorts of efforts, be they big or small, be they governmental or non-governmental, be they on a global scale or a personal scale, matter. No matter what contributed to the air pollution, we are all equally responsible to take care of the environment. Let’s join hands and fight this problem together.

Greenhouse gas emissions have become a serious problem for human health today. The fine particulate matter from these greenhouse gas emissions has really started to degrade air quality due to air pollutants causing health effects. Air pollution levels are increasing due to this fine particulate matter. The higher the air pollution levels, the worse health effects they have.

Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, burning of fossil fuels, forest fires, carbon monoxide from the gas industry, and diesel trucks' air emissions are causing heart diseases, lung cancer, and other respiratory tract problems to the public health.  It is the responsibility of the federal government to take control of these important issues just like they take control of the economic growth of a nation. Even the drinking water has turned into polluted water today. The lung function of a person can change due to being exposed to these air pollutants, leading to lung problems.

Cardiovascular disease, asthma attacks, and other respiratory illnesses have become very common due to residue from industrial processes causing outdoor air pollution. Using satellite measurements and satellite methods, the government needs to look at population maps of these affected areas and take immediate steps for people's safety.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for air pollution in Canada facts then why not take a look at coal pollution facts or car pollution facts.