Ottawa/CMEDIA: While observing Clean Air Day on June 8, 2022, Canada’s focus this year is on air quality in a changing climate.
Due to the warming of the climate, the increased number and severity of extreme weather events such as wildfires and floods are expected to worsen air pollution. Some air pollutants, such as car emissions, contribute to climate change.
But according to the latest report, air pollutant emissions since 1990 have been steadily declining encouraging us all to take action to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change.
A message from the Minister of Health and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health on Clean Air Day said that Clean air and a healthy environment are two of the foundations of good health and added that Canadians should protect and improve air quality to reduce asthma, cardiovascular disease, and many other adverse health effects related to air pollution.
The World Health Organization has ranked Canada’s air among the cleanest in the world, but 15,300 deaths across the country per year are caused by air pollution, an official news release said.
“Together, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments are working …Through collaborative actions between Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and provinces and territories…to implement Canada’s Air Quality Management System (AQMS)… leveraging Health Canada’s scientific knowledge and expertise to review and set outdoor air standards known as Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS),” said the news release.
Indoor air quality is severely being affected by the extreme weather events caused by climate change with a risk of health problems being caused by toxic mold and bacteria in damp or water if inhaled
Of the many ways, to improve the air quality inside and outside your homes to protect your health, are by maintaining your humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent, and check your local Air Quality Health Index levels, and keep windows and doors closed and ventilation system circulating when air quality is poor, reducing emissions by choosing active modes of transportation, such as walking or biking and
Another simple step everyone can take to improve air quality and help fight climate change is leaving their car at home and by taking alternative forms of transportation.
Climate change and extreme weather events are also threats to emotional well-being and can cause serious mental health consequences such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.
Canadians are advised to go to health professionals or use the Wellness Together Canada and the new mental health app, PocketWell, both of which are free and available 24/7.
Our collective actions will continue to protect our climate, improve air quality, and build a better, healthier future for our children and grandchildren by taking actins including planting trees to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, composting ing and reducing waste, eating a more plant-based diet, reducing emissions to improve indoor air quality by limiting your use of any combustion sources, such as incense and wood stoves, and reading labels and follow all instructions for safety, usage, proper ventilation, and disposal when using household chemical products.
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