The findings in a new report from the American Lung Association (ALA) show the worst toxic particle pollution in the 25 years since the Association released its first annual “State of the Air” report. More than 131 million Americans live in areas that indicated unhealthy levels of air pollution. Higher pollution rates have been found to lead to higher rates of chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. In the long term, researchers have even found that pollution very likely is linked to brain damage that puts people at higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias.
The ALA report used only data from 2020 to 2022. It did not include the impact of the historic wildfires across Canada in 2023 that choked many eastern U.S. and Canadian cities, often turning skies orange. Air quality across American and Canadian cities is once again expected to deteriorate due to an early start to the wildfire season already underway this spring, notably in Alberta and British Columbia.
The costs of health impacts due to pollution, especially on the health care system, are enormous. A University of B.C. study in 2007 claimed that pollution is killing 25,000 Canadians a year and costing the health care system more than $9 billion (Can) annually. A recent analysis by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggested that further lowering the level of allowable particulate matter in the air would save lives and health costs. By 2032, the EPA estimates that it would amount to $46 billion (U.S.) in cost savings and help the U.S. avoid 4,500 premature deaths, 800,000 cases of asthma and 290,000 lost workdays.
Paul Billings, ALA’s senior vice president of public policy, told USA TODAY that, despite a lot of progress on air pollution cleanup, we’re seeing the impacts of climate change, particularly wildfires. The impact is overwhelming a lot of cleanup, particularly with respect to these daily spikes of particle pollution. There is little doubt that much more needs to be done in both the U.S. and Canada to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. Both countries have managed to do this with respect to ozone levels which have declined in some places due to governments acting on implementing regulated restrictions and encouraging new greener technologies.
So when you go out for your daily run or bicycling in urban locations, don’t forget that you may be breathing in air that very likely will not be overly healthy for you physically. If you must, do so in the early morning hours when pollution levels are at their lowest. Take the appropriate precautions, especially during the wildfire season by wearing an appropriate mask and limiting your outdoor activities when applicable. Fortunately, most municipalities have good air quality monitoring on a continuing basis which can be accessed daily via the Internet. I know that I’ll be using these information sources once again this coming summer. Good luck and good health!
FROLITICKS 