600 deaths a year linked to Toronto’s air quality, study says. Experts calling for less cars on the 401 to address pollution – NOW Toronto

Experts are weighing in on how to protect Torontonians from the city’s deteriorating air quality after a first-of-its kind study revealed particles in the air are linked to premature deaths.

From 2001 to 2016, researchers from The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine tracked air pollution levels near airports and high-traffic areas in Montreal and Toronto while noting down ultrafine particles (UFPs) in the air that haven’t been previously recorded before.

The study found that 600 non-accidental deaths occur every year due to these outdoor UFPs in Toronto, increasing overall deaths from respiratory disease by 17.4 per cent and 9.4 per cent in deaths from coronary artery disease. 

“One of the greatest sources of air pollution comes from traffic-related air pollution. This is particularly true of urban densely populated areas,” CEO of Canadian Lung Association (CLA) Sarah Butson told Now Toronto.

“Of particular concern are diesel emitting vehicles as the impacts of diesel on respiratory health are largely concerning. Diesel emissions are responsible for over 800,000 acute respiratory days (in hospital) and over 60,000 asthma symptom days. At the same time over two million children in Canada are exposed to diesel-emitting school buses as they go to and from school each day,” Butson said. 

The CLA advocates for Torontonians to protect themselves from poor air quality by monitoring the air quality health index to adjust their daily schedules and when it’s better to stay indoors if needed. 

“For those living with lung disease, knowing the air quality health index score that may trigger their symptoms will be even more helpful. Those living with lung disease will also want to ensure they have the medication they need on hand. Other things people may want to consider is wearing a high quality N-95 mask if the air quality is poor or their breathing is compromised to further protect their lungs,” Butson said. 

As of today, Toronto’s air quality health index is 2, which represents low risk. People can check the air quality index on the government website here.

New evidence suggests air pollution can impact multiple systems within the human body as well and are especially concerning to residents breathing in air around the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway, according to Butson.

As a city-wide solution, CLA is on board with the government’s decision to transition to zero-emission vehicles in order to reduce exposure to harmful air particles. The organization also hopes the city invests in more electric school buses. 

READ MORE: ‘This is impractical,’ Canadians react to government’s goal of phasing out gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035

“If the city invests more money into the TTC bus routes that are closer to highways, they can take a real bite out of the number of vehicles that are forced onto the roads from folks who maybe would have taken transit if there was a fast and good quality way to get where they’re going,” Sarah Buchanan, the campaign director of Toronto Environment Alliance, told Now Toronto.

“There’s a proposal on the table right now the province is moving forward with building Highway 413 and that would put more cars and trucks on the road [and] increase vehicle pollution. We know that building new highways creates a situation called induced demand, where it simply creates more overall vehicle volume on these highways, instead of just creating more space for the existing vehicles to drive,” Buchanan continued.

Buchanan mentions the city should also build safer bike infrastructure, especially in gaps near Highway 401. 

READ MORE: ‘Getting it done,’ Ford says Hwy. 413 work is underway but many residents are unimpressed

Online, Canadians are reacting to the study while calling for action on improving air quality.

“I worry for my dad who grew up under the flight path of Pearson and then moved to Parkdale right near the highway,” one Reddit user said.

“I would get home after a 20-30 minute run, and my face would be caked with ‘dirt.’ This dirt was not there when I left my door; it was pollution from the 401. Pulverized tires, dust from eroding brake pads, and of course just straight up exhaust would cling to my sweat,” one person commented.

“I’m hoping gasoline lawn mowers and leaf blowers will be in the crosshairs next, they are a massive source of emissions that doesn’t get talked about enough,” another person commented.