Graphics: Jeff Allen, Emily Sakaguchi
Air pollution, particularly from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), is a leading cause of premature death worldwide. In Canadian cities, air pollutants exceed World Health Organization limits, leading to over 15,000 premature deaths each year, according to Health Canada. As urban centers continue to grow, reducing pollution has become an essential strategy for improving public health and combating climate change.
In our recent study, we examined how reducing air pollution can help prevent premature deaths in Canadian cities, where poor air quality is a growing public health concern. Using the Premature Mortality Population Risk Tool augmented with environmental data (PreMPoRT-ENV), we modeled how reductions in air pollution can decrease premature mortality across 31 Canadian Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). Premature mortality, defined as deaths occurring before age 75, serves as a critical population health outcome that can be mitigated through targeted policy interventions. Given the substantial human health impacts of air pollution, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to reduce air pollution and its associated health risks.
Our findings showed that significant health benefits could be achieved through air pollution reduction interventions. Meeting Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) could prevent more than 1,100 premature deaths over five years, while more aggressive reductions of up to 25% could save as many as 6,545 lives.
Our analysis also revealed that individuals residing in areas with higher concentrations of air pollution tend to face greater socioeconomic deprivation, housing instability, and have higher proportions of racial minorities and recent immigrants. This highlights the importance of focusing interventions on communities that are most vulnerable to pollution exposure and its health impacts.
This research, published in the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, underscores the importance of implementing strong air quality policies to protect public health, particularly in urban areas. As cities like Toronto and Peel face higher concentrations of air pollutants, targeted interventions in these regions could have significant health co-benefits. By integrating environmental health considerations into urban planning and climate change mitigation strategies, Canada can reduce premature deaths, improve population health, and enhance its resilience to climate change.
This research was funded by the University of Toronto School of Cities Urban Challenge Grant. Explore PM2.5 and NO2 by Census Metropolitan Areas in the School of Cities interactive map.
The research publication can be found in the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy here.