For immediate release
June 7, 2005

Politicians from Caledon, Oshawa, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Toronto and scientists provide GTA air quality tests results showing contribution of cars to local air pollution

View a copy for the sampling report including charts and biographies of investigators.

QUEEN’S PARK – Air quality experts joined City of Toronto Councilor John Filion to present the snapshot results of urban air quality sampling undertaken on Monday, May 30th, 2005.

“The testing demonstrated that poor air quality is both a local and regional problem. The sampling was undertaken to increase awareness of the negative effects of air pollution on our health and as context for the 2005 Smog Summit {1}) scheduled for June 8, 2005 at the City of Toronto Council Chambers,” stated Eva Ligeti, Executive Director of the Clean Air Partnership.

Councillor Filion described how UofT engineering students, Professor Greg Evans and Mayors and Councilors at five GTA locations (Mayor Morrison in Caledon, Mayor Gray in Oshawa, Councillor Hogg in Richmond Hill, Councillor Filion in the City of Toronto and Councillor Frustaglio in Vaughan) undertook a one day testing of the effects of vehicular traffic on air quality.

“Particulate matter is the least understood component of air pollution. Fine and ultrafine particulate matter impacts us at all times of the year, unlike smog, which we literally see as a summer problem,” observed Professor Evans. He went on to say, “This sampling series gave our Engineering students a chance to use their knowledge to raise local awareness of the problem of particulate matter in vehicle emissions."

Professor Evans indicated that the key findings of the one day testing are that:
• Ultrafine particulate matter is more subject to local variations; like, community traffic volume and patterns.
• PM 2.5 levels tend to be more consistent locally and reflect the importation of air pollution across the region from various external sources, primarily vehicle and industry.
• The exercise illustrated that local air pollution from vehicle emissions typically rises during the morning rush hour, in combination with the sun.
• On May 30, these 5 communities experienced levels of PM2.5 that were lower than average only because of wind direction: a northwest wind typically brings cleaner air. Relying on favourable winds to limit smog is unacceptable.
• Local communities have a specific and powerful role to play in reducing levels of ultrafine particulate matter all year round, through reducing or eliminating car use: this is an area most immediately within their control.
“The particles are so small they can be inhaled deeply into the lungs causing lasting health impacts, especially for the elderly, children and for those with respiratory and cardiac problems,” said Dr. Monica Campbell, spokesperson for Toronto Public Health. Campbell noted, “Air pollution from vehicles gives rise to reduced lung function, wheezing and coughing, asthma attacks, emergency room visits, lung cancer, high blood pressure and reduced life expectancy. Poor air quality also reduces the quality of life for children and adults, especially for those who face a lifetime of chronic health and lung problems made worse by air pollution.”

“The general public must be informed of the economic and health related effects so that we make decisions and take action to protect the air we breathe,” said Councillor Filion. “It is important that we continue to work together to respond to the challenges that lie ahead.”

Contact:
Eva Ligeti
Clean Air Partnership
(416) 392-1220
(416) 567-0924 (cell)

At the Clean Air Partnership’s annual Smog Summit on June 8, all levels of government gather to address air pollution issues, make commitments and sign the Inter-governmental Declaration on Clean Air as a culmination of a year of action and leadership to reduce air pollution in the GTA airshed.

The Clean Air Partnership, a charitable organization that works in partnership to promote and coordinate improvements to local air quality, presents this event. The Clean Air Partnership convenes the Smog Summit and GTA Clean Air Council meetings. Sponsors of the Smog Summit include: Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Toronto Hydro Corporation, Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, City of Toronto, and the GTA Clean Air Council. For more information and a full schedule of events visit http://www.smogsummit.org

For more information visit www.cleanairpartnership.org