(Ottawa) – The Canadian Lung Association is lauding the decision by Canada's environment ministers to move forward with a comprehensive national system for managing harmful air pollution. Federal, provincial, and territorial environment ministers have approved full implementation of the new Air Quality Management System, which was developed in close collaboration with national health, environmental, and industrial organizations.
"Our environment ministers have shown great leadership by endorsing a new system that will significantly improve the quality of the air Canadians breathe," said Mary-Pat Shaw, CLA's Acting President and CEO. "This is a bold step that will benefit the health of people across the country."
According to a 2008 study by the Canadian Medical Association air pollution currently causes the deaths of over 21,000 Canadians every year, as well as resulting in 30,000 emergency room treatments and 620,000 visits to doctors' offices.1 Acute exposure to pollutants during smog episodes increases the incidence and severity of asthma attacks, flare-ups of COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis), heart attacks and strokes.2 3 4 5Chronic exposure to air pollution, even at moderate levels, harms long-term health, especially for children, older adults and people suffering from chronic lung or heart disease.6 7 8 9
"The AQMS promises to deliver better day-to-day air quality and reduce the incidence of life-threatening smog conditions", said Ms. Shaw. "By tackling air pollution from all sources the new system will save thousands of lives every year."
The Air Quality Management System is the result of a ground-breaking and highly productive collaboration over five years between NGO and industrial stakeholders, the federal government and the provinces and territories.
The Lung Association has been an active partner in this unique development process, advising on the overall design of the system and contributing to technical working groups.
The Air Quality Management System will have three key elements:
(1) Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) will be set nationally and guide air quality management in all regions of the country. Initially these standards will cover two of the major air pollutants that contribute to smog formation: fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone. The CAAQS will later be extended to include other harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide.
(2) Base-Level Industrial Emissions Standards (BLIERS) will limit emissions of pollutants and ensure good environmental performance for all major industrial facilities.
(3) A robust system of local air management in all provinces and territories, supported by regional and national co-ordination, will help ensure action to preserve good air quality in clean areas and ongoing improvements where air quality is at risk.
The system will take a comprehensive approach, dealing with all major air pollution sources, including transportation,
industrial, residential, agricultural, and pollution from sources outside Canada's borders. Management actions will be customized to address specific pollution sources of concern in each area. The AQMS will also feature expanded air quality monitoring and regular public reporting on air quality and industrial emissions.
The Canadian Lung Association looks forward to the continued engagement of health, environmental and industrial stakeholders in the finalization and implementation of the new system.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Christopher Wilson
Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy
Canadian Lung Association
cwilson@lung.ca
(613) 298-5464
About The Canadian Lung Association
Established in 1900, The Canadian Lung Association is one of Canada's oldest and most respected health charities, and the leading national organization for science-based information, research, education, support programs, and advocacy on lung health issues.
