Addressing Traffic Related Air Pollution: Local Public Health Challenges

摘要

The growing body of evidence on the health impacts of traffic related air pollution (TRAP) exposures and the widespread population exposures to TRAP have clear implications for local public health practitioners. Vancouver Coastal Health (Vancouver, BC) has been exploring ways to reduce population exposures to TRAP within the major municipalities in its jurisdiction. This includes exploring the feasibility of setbacks for buildings that house vulnerable populations (daycares, long-term care, hospitals, and schools), and promoting the health impact assessment process to address TRAP and other transportation related health impacts. Throughout this exploratory work many hurdles have been encountered from defining "high" TRAP exposure areas for building setbacks to challenges with weighing the pros and cons of daycare siting. Our ongoing exploration of and approach to this complex challenge will be discussed. The Health Protection team within Vancouver Coastal Health includes both Environmental Health and Community Care Facilities Licensing (child care, long-term care). Within Environmental Health the Healthy Built Environment team works in collaboration with local governments to create environments that promote and protect health.