Polluted air from Transport is harmful
Transport is the source of several types of air contaminants, several contribute to the formation of ozone, others to greenhouse gases (GHG)
Here are some global scientific journals demonstrating the link between polluted air and health (breathing difficulties and cardiovascular problems).
Even the mayor of Beaconsfield publicly acknowledges that there is a public health problem with the polluted air along Highway 20. But he refuses to act because of the costs.
Summary
In addition to noise, polluted air from highways has a definite impact on greenhouse gases (GHG), by nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) , to name only the main ones.
2006 The first reference (DSPQ) is very explicit and comprehensive about the impact of transport on air pollution along the highways.
2011 Even if the WHO scientific study first deals with the impact of noise along motorways, we find several quotes relevant to the analysis of the impact of air pollution on health.
2012 This analysis focuses on the effect of noise and air pollution from leaf blowers. It contains several relevant citations also applicable to the impact of motor vehicles.
2018 The mayor supports his decision to partially ban leaf blowers on air pollution in these minutes of the July 9, 2018 public meeting of the Beaconsfield municipal council.
DSPQ – Urban transport, a health issue (2006)
This link includes all of chapter 2 of the annual report of the Direction de la Santé Publique du Québec (DSPQ) on transportation. It mainly summarizes the effects of air pollution, for noise, it rather refers to the 1999 WHO study.
RELEVANT QUOTES:
“The contribution of the transport sector to emissions of these [air] pollutants and GHGs varies according to the contaminant considered and whether it is an urban or rural environment. Overall, we find that transportation is a major source in most cases, but to a greater degree in urban areas. ” P.7
“Transportation alone is the source of several types of air contaminants of concern to health care organizations due to their impact on health, namely nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM), to name only the main ones (…)
Two of these contaminants, NOx and VOCs, are ozone precursors, that is to say that, reacting under the effect of solar radiation and heat (by photochemical reaction), they produce ozone.
Since a large part of these precursors is attributable to transport, this sector therefore contributes significantly to the formation of ozone. Among the air pollutants, ozone is particularly to be watched because of its consequences on health.
As for greenhouse gases (GHG), which are involved in climate change, transport is also one of the main sources. »P.7-8
WHO – Synthesis of noise impacts on health (2011)
Burden of disease from environmental noise
This scientific report is a synthesis of several scientific studies on environmental noise and the link between noise and diseases. Here we present the quotes relevant to the analysis of the impact of air pollution on health.
RELEVANT QUOTES:
Confounding with air pollution
Air pollutants have also been shown to be associated with cardiovascular end-points (148–155). In real life, individuals exposed to road noise are also likely to be exposed to air pollution arising from road traffic. It is not yet clear whether the impact of noise on ischaemic heart disease is independent, additive or synergistic to the impact of outdoor air pollution. Air pollution studies have not controlled for noise and vice versa. Air pollution epidemiology carried out in the last century focused primarily on respiratory illness, which was not an issue in noise research. However, cardiopulmonary mortality was also identified as a key outcome of acute and chronic exposure to air pollutants. »P.50
BEAC – The mayor acknowledges the impact of air pollution on health (2018)
On July 9, 2018, His Honor Mayor Georges Bourelle made a statement about Regulation BEAC-033-5 on leaf blowers:
“In addition to noise pollution, there is air pollution. It concerns as much the polluting emissions from gasoline engines as the projection of fine and ultrafine particles, which preoccupy health specialists worldwide ”(P.2)
“The ultrafine particles are composed of fecal matter, pollen, mold spores and various chemical substances, such as insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to name only a few.
Health experts confirm that these particles pose a health hazard, as they provoke cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as cancer.
According to the World Health Organization and the Direction de la santé publique, air pollution is responsible for the premature death of 4.2 million people worldwide, and of 1,500 citizens in Montréal alone. » (P.2)
Pollution impacts (2012)
Article taken from Patch.com analyzing the effect of noise and air pollution from leaf blowers. Contains several relevant quotes also applicable to the impact of motor vehicles.