The risk of disease due to exposure to car emissions has become a major concern for urban residents, particularly those living in Toronto. Dr. Murray Finklestein, an associate professor at the McMaster Institute of Environment and Health, recently spoke at U of T. For years he has researched air pollution and related health effects. Of particular interest to him is the relationship between pollution from major roads and highways and the incidence of disease.
In the past, the population of an urban center was thought to have no variation in its exposure to traffic pollution. It was only through the work of Dutch researchers several years ago that it became apparent that there were indeed differences in the amount of exposure residents would be subject to depending on where they lived. Researchers found that those residing close to major roads or highways have higher death rates from heart and lung diseases.
In his latest study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Dr. Finklestein explores this issue in the cities of Hamilton and Toronto. Dr. Finklestein noticed that the rates of hospitalization due to respiratory and circulatory disease were higher in those living near major roads. There were more people dying from circulatory illnesses in highly trafficked areas versus suburban regions.
It would seem that Ottawa has taken notice of these findings. New initiatives have been put together to slow the increase in disease from traffic pollution at the provincial level. The Ontario Medical Association has proposed a four-pronged solution to combat environmental contamination. Emission control, vehicle inspection, fuel management and increased use of public transportation have been proposed in order to combat the detrimental health effects of traffic pollution. Long-term research will tell if these suggestions have a substantial impact.
