Towards a National Particulate Matter strategy for Canada

摘要

Recently, there has been significant focus on the issue of particulate matter (PM) in the air. Studies from Health Canada and other sources have indicated that fine inhalable particles have significant respiratory and cardiac impacts especially for the elderly and other susceptible individuals. Most Canadian urban centres have observed PM air concentrations that can cause risks to public health under current conditions. Anthropogenic sources of PM and its precursor gases (SO_2, NOx and VOCs) are well known and mechanisms to decrease emissions can be found within existing technology. Therefore, it has been estimated that medical benefits associated with decreased particulate air pollution far exceed the costs required to improve the situation. In Canada, processes are underway to define nationally-accepted ambient Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) for fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particulate matter based on human health impacts. These levels are anticipated to be quite low compared to current ambient conditions in Canadian cities requiring jurisdictions to take action to achieve them. Therefore, implementation strategies will be required on national, provincial and regional bases.