CMA predicts air pollution deaths

[jdobbin]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...0813?hub=Canada

A Canadian Medical Association study predicts that the number of deaths due to air pollution is set to skyrocket over the next two decades.

The association says 21,000 Canadians will die this year from exposure to air pollution - and the death toll is expected to total 800,000 by 2031.

The study says the vast majority of deaths will be among people aged 65 years and older because they are more vulnerable to heart disease.

Smog and poor air quality are also expected to strain Canada's medical system.

Pretty startling number they quote.

However, I'm sure some will say there is no consensus that smog actually kills. And if it kills, it is too expensive to find alternatives.

[seabee]

I would not be surprised that people will blame smokers for the smog; they are such easy scapegoats.

[madmax]

However, I'm sure some will say there is no consensus that smog actually kills. And if it kills, it is too expensive to find alternatives.

Companies install scrubbers. Auto companies put catalytic converters on vehicles. None of which happened because of a tax scheme or the market. These changes were legislated.

Perhaps you never compared an Industrial Province in Canada to an Industrial Province in the 3rd world. I can assure you that more people are dying from where your computer components were purchased.

[jdobbin]

Companies install scrubbers. Auto companies put catalytic converters on vehicles. None of which happened because of a tax scheme or the market. These changes were legislated.

China just introduced a tax on small cars to control smog this week.

California had a smog impact tax on cars.

Japan has a tax based on engine size.

The British and Europeans had one as well. The British are increasing their road tax.

Many states in the U.S. had a tax on engine size as a means of reducing smog.

Perhaps you never compared an Industrial Province in Canada to an Industrial Province in the 3rd world. I can assure you that more people are dying from where your computer components were purchased.

I guess if you look at China, they realize that and that is why they have introduced a smog tax.

Edited August 13, 2008 by jdobbin

[madmax]

China just introduced a tax on small cars to control smog this week.

China also SHUT DOWN their factories for two weeks to control smog. Which to you think works?

California had a smog impact tax on cars.

California has a car tax. Nothing new there. They have smog inspection sites/kits which are emmission based programs.

Japan has a tax based on engine size.

So has Ontario. Since the 70s.

Many states in the U.S. had a tax on engine size as a means of reducing smog.

I guess if you look at China, they realize that and that is why they have introduced a smog tax.

These programs have been great at generating government revenue but not in addressing the problem and lowering emmissions.

[jdobbin]

China also SHUT DOWN their factories for two weeks to control smog. Which to you think works?

Only in and around Beijing. China's problems go far beyond the capital.

California has a car tax. Nothing new there. They have smog inspection sites/kits which are emmission based programs.

So has Ontario. Since the 70s.

These programs have been great at generating government revenue but not in addressing the problem and lowering emmissions.

I think some people would disagree with you about reducing emissions.

It does show that a combination of legislation and taxes are used for smog.

Edited August 13, 2008 by jdobbin

[madmax]

It does show that a combination of legislation and taxes are used for smog.

Hard legislation has been effective. Smog is something that can be address through legislation. The taxes on Engine sizes were not based on smog goodwill measures.

The taxes collected were for building more roads.

[jdobbin]

Hard legislation has been effective. Smog is something that can be address through legislation. The taxes on Engine sizes were not based on smog goodwill measures.

That was one of the main reasons.

The taxes collected were for building more roads.

And for smog if you are reading the recent debates in the British House of Commons.

[Oleg Bach]

Only in and around Beijing. China's problems go far beyond the capital.

I think some people would disagree with you about reducing emissions.

It does show that a combination of legislation and taxes are used for smog.

Maybe if people had a faith other than consumerism with out neccesity - then there would be no emmisions to control - we simply don't need all this stuff wealth is not just stuff and money - look at the fool China which is parrotiing the western way of the 1950s - to accumulate great stuff and wealth - maybe wealth is health and a war fire and candle light. do we really need to live like this - in a manner that leads to us existing in a filthy hell? what are we stupid? We could have heaven on earth if we did not try so hard...look at that blue sky - and the green of the trees - is a pile of stuff that is useless really worth the trade? Of course not - we are not generating wealth - we are generating poverty - Look at the air in China - this is poverty NOT wealth and certainly not health.

[jdobbin]

Maybe if people had a faith other than consumerism with out neccesity - then there would be no emmisions to control - we simply don't need all this stuff wealth is not just stuff and money - look at the fool China which is parrotiing the western way of the 1950s - to accumulate great stuff and wealth - maybe wealth is health and a war fire and candle light. do we really need to live like this - in a manner that leads to us existing in a filthy hell? what are we stupid? We could have heaven on earth if we did not try so hard...look at that blue sky - and the green of the trees - is a pile of stuff that is useless really worth the trade? Of course not - we are not generating wealth - we are generating poverty - Look at the air in China - this is poverty NOT wealth and certainly not health.

You could run for office and lead the change.

[GostHacked]

I don't doubt pollution kills.

People with asthma and other resperatory problems are greatly affected by pollution like smog. But again, the smog and pollution could be the catalyst for people with those problems.

I used to live in Sudbury ON. INCO and Falconbrige are huge mining conglomerates. One of the largest industrial stacks is located there. This one was built because the smaller ones they have did not dissipate the sulpher dioxide into the air enough. Much vegitation in the area died due to this direct polution. Acid rain was also a direct contributor to the local lakes taking a major hit. It was visibly evident. This larger stack was to throw the sulpher dioxide farther and higher to dissipate it more. But even on those odd days (and I do NOT miss them at all) you can taste the sufler in the air. It itches the back of your throat similar to a cold. It does makes it hard to breath. Most of us stayed indoors on those days.

Here is an interesting thing. If you live in Sudbury, you can get something called a Fallout Claim for your car insurance. The sulpher dioxide acid rain will eat the paint off cars slowly. So you can get your car repainted on your insurance due to the amount of sufler in the air. If it does that to hard sealed paint, what can it do to your soft spongey lungs?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inco_Superstack

While the Superstack lowered the ground-level pollution in the city, it also dispersed the gases over a much larger area. This led to a slow rise in acidity of lakes in the area, to the point where by the late 1980s up to 7,000 lakes were severely damaged due to acid rain. Starting in the early 1990s, a major construction effort started to dramatically clean the waste gases before pumping them up the Superstack, removing around 90% of the sulphur dioxide. The upgrades were completed in 1994, and emissions from then on are much reduced [1]. Further reductions in emissions are planned.

It was horrible in the 80s, I was outside more with friends in my youth. During the 90s I was indoors more. But wow, the taste is something you will hate instantly.

[madmax]

But wow, the taste is something you will hate instantly.

I recall a motorcycle trip during the 80s through Sudbury. We drove through holding our breath and laughing that we got our basic training in Hamilton. Without that, we would have puked.