Let's Clean Up the Air Around Our Kids' Schools!

WHEN encourages decision makers from government, the private sector, academe and the community to come up with the ways and means to improve neigbourhood air quality. In this Air Quality Action Guide, we focus on vehicular emissions and air quality issues around schools. To download a copy of this pocket brochure, click here.

WHEN also works on other fronts to address air quality issues, such as the demand for Community-Right-to-Know by-law at the City of Toronto level.

Clean air is a basic right of every individual. Many busy cities in the world are on the threshold of a major air pollution crisis. We all breathe over 11,000 Litres of air each day. Children breathe more air per kilogram of body weight. Children’s bodies are still growing and their lungs are still developing. They spend a large part of their day in and around schools. Children are more susceptible to the health effects of air pollution than are adults and seniors.

It has been identified that improper vehicle inspection, poor vehicle maintenance and high sulphur content in diesel fuel are big contributors to air pollution. We have a responsibility to restore healthy air quality for all to breathe. This needs to be done as soon as possible. WHEN urges a concerted effort from all those involved in the hopes the air around schools can be made cleaner.

In the main, the air around our city schools has criteria pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM 10) and gases (CO, CO2, SO2, NOx, O3 and Pb) which negatively affect our health. The biggest concern currently is particulate emission, especially from diesel engines. Many heavy and light diesel-driven vehicles pass schools. Schools buses are also diesel-driven.

The fine particles PM2.5 penetrate the human respiratory organs and damage the respiratory tract when inhaled. Particulate matter PM2.5 is small (2.5 microns or less in the aerodynamic matter) enough to remain suspended as solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. PM 2.5 is the main pollutant of concern emitted from diesel-fuelled vehicular exhaust.

Colourless or black smoke from diesel-driven vehicles is very harmful to our health. Colorless carbon monoxide (CO) gas is emitted from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and interferes with the delivery of oxygen to the brain. Long-term exposure to high levels of CO can cause headaches, drowsiness, loss of equilibrium, cardiovascular symptoms, and decrease of visual perception.

High levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) can cause lung function loss. Ozone (O3) is a colourless and odourless gas. It is a major component of smog. Prolonged exposure to O3 gas increases respiratory illness, asthma and irritates the eyes. Children who are active outdoors during summer when O3 levels are high are particularly at risk.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) concentrations, as measured by two components — NO (nitric oxide) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during morning rush hour — are mainly the result of vehicular emissions. If inhaled, nitrogen oxides are very highly toxic. They can cause shortness of breath, chest pains, increase respiratory infections, and asthma. Long-term exposure can cause chronic lung disease. Diesel school buses are a source of exposure to school children.

Lead (Pb), which is another result of vehicular emissions (e.g large trucks), interferes with children’s brain development as well as their cardiovascular and reproductive systems .

Children with wheezing, physician-diagnosed asthma, ear/nose/throat infections, flu/serious cold, and lung conditions are most affected by vehicular emissions.

Vehicular emissions should be measured by mobile check post programs around schools.

Continuous air quality monitoring stations should be set up around schools in various locations in Toronto. A satellite/mobile air monitoring station may also monitor air quality. Moreover, the implementation of Vehicular Emissions Standards and Air Quality Standards are also very important. The Government of Ontario has the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the newly developed Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to inform the public. Billboards about AQHI should be posted in school areas to increase parents’ and children’s awareness.

Taking Action to Improve Air Quality

Based on research reviewed by WHEN on the extent and causes of air pollution in school areas, the following steps will very likely and quickly improve air quality around our schools:

• Enforce the City of Toronto’s anti-idling bylaw more aggressively around schools

• Monitor ambient air quality with continuous air monitoring stations near schools and release the information to increase public awareness

• Set up Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) billboards near schools to increase parents’ and children’s awareness

• Implement Air Quality Standards

• Introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) driven school buses

• Restrict operation of heavy duty diesel-vehicles near schools to night time only

• Organize a locally-driven “human school bus” system whereby parents get together to take turns walking a group of neighbourhood kids to school

• Test vehicular emissions regularly by a mobile check post program around schools

• Encourage regular vehicle inspections and proper maintenance of the vehicles as an important step to reduce air pollution

• Introduce low sulphur content fuel; promote a clean fuel in vehicles instead of gasoline

• Revise and implement Vehicular Emission Standards

• Consider limiting diesel-driven vehicles; increasing the use of CNG vehicles in the street will help protect children’s health around schools.

Newsletter – March 2012

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Connect Beauty Event

• Canadian's Women Health Network - Resources

• Eco-Parent Subscription Special

• Upcoming Film Screenings

Click here to read the March 2012 Newsletter.

Environmentally Healthy Resolutions?

Wondering what you can do that will make a difference in your life and the life of the planet? Start small and you are bound to succeed. Here are a few ideas for you to think about to help live healthier and happier in 2012.  Choose pesticide free fruits and vegetables, switch your shampoo, have a clothing swap, cut out plastic and educate yourself!

Replace 2 of the "dirty dozen" you use the most with organic options. The "dirty dozen" are fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. Organic are more expensive, but they are more nutritious, less toxic, better for ground water and ecosystem health, and often taste better! Plus, because they are more expensive, you are less likely to let them rot in your produce drawer, reducing your waste and carbon footprint, and increasing your intake of fruits and veggies.

Switch your shampoo. When you think about what personal care products you use the most in terms of frequency and amount shampoo probably tops the list. Many shampoos contain sodium laureth sulfate and related chemicals (which can be contaminated with known carcinogens), parabens (possible endocrine disrupters) and fragrances (which may contain allergens and carcinogens). When looking for a more environmentally friendly shampoo, check to make sure your "natural" shampoo does not contain any of these products, because greenwashing is common. If you have dry hair, look for shampoos with natural oils such as coconut and olive oil. If you have thicker hair, try shampoos with apple cider vinegar (or put in your own) to remove residue. Once you've conquerred your shampoo, find other ways to be toxic free by replacing personal care products with safer versions. Wannabe Toxic Free!

Have a swap. Swapping clothing, accessories or home items is a form of waste reduction, conserves resources and is better for your health. Many new clothes and furnishings contain chemicals that enter your body through your skin or lungs. Reducing the number of new items you purchase and bring into your closet and home reduces your toxic load. Moreover, swap parties are great ways to get to know your neighbours and make new friends!

Cut out plastic. Ontario has excellent recycling, composting, and reuse programs, but for most of us, the majority of our weekly garbage is made up of plastic - plastic wrap, plastic food containers, and other non-recyclable plastic items. These things do not easily degrade in a landfill. Avoid items that are packaged in plastic wrap and plastic containers. Use reusable produce bags. This will reduce waste, reduce air emissions from plastic manufacturing, and reduce your own contact with plastic, which when it comes in contact with oily or warm food, can leach harmful chemicals. Consider reducing the number of plastic containers you use, by making your own dips or salad dressings. They are much more delicious, healthier, and when you get the hang of it, easy to make.

Educate yourself. There are a number of informative and inspiring books and films about environmental stewardship and environmental health. Make a pledge to read a book or watch a movie a few times this year to help you learn about the issues and where you can make a difference. Join us! WHEN regularly screens films and reviews books which can be great sources of information. Or if you have recently seen an inspiring film or read a fantastic book and want to share it with others, tell us!

Contact our office with a review, or join the conversation on Facebook!

WHEN is a non-profit, charitable organization that works with communities on prevention initiatives addressing environmental links to health. To learn more about WHEN, click here.

Newsletter - January 2012

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Announcement: New Board Members

• Environmentally Healthy Resolutions for 2012

• Do It Yourself - Baking Soda Deodorant

• Film Screenings: Exposure - Environmental Links to Breast Cancer, Pink Ribbons Inc.

• Connect Beauty Event

Click here to read the January 2012 Newsletter.

RESOLUTION: WHEN's Position on Nuclear Energy

While many of us know about the risks of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons, less known is the routine radioactive emissions at each stage of the nuclear fuel chain from mining, milling, refining, fuel fabrication, reactor operations and high and low level waste management. It is important that these concerns be understood and acted upon as future generations of humans and wildlife are at risk.

Risks of Nuclear Energy to Women and Children

Many in the nuclear industry and governments have been promoting nuclear power as a solution to climate change. While there is much evidence of safer, more efficient, and less costly means of ensuring sustainable electricity (www.renewableisdoable.com, www.cleanairalliance.org), the government of Ontario seems determined to refurbish old reactors and build new ones. WHEN is concerned about this policy because of radioactive emissions released along the nuclear fuel chain.

Prominent among these radioactive emissions, is tritium, a known radioactive carcinogen, mutagen and teratogen (crosses the placental barrier to cause harm in children during pregnancy). An isotope of hydrogen, tritium combines readily with oxygen to form radioactive water. This in turn binds easily with organic molecules, including DNA. Tritium and other radioactive emissions are routinely discharged into the drinking water of millions of people and animals during normal operations of CANDU nuclear reactors - operating currently in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick .

It is now well established that there is no safe level of ionizing radiation and even the smallest dose can cause cancer, birth defects and other ill effects (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII (BEIR VII) National Academy of Sciences (2006)). the risk of cancer is greater for women and children, with the younger the child, the greater the risk,. Especially sensitive to the effects of tritium are rapidly growing cells such as fetal tissue and young girls' developing breasts, genetic materials and blood forming organs. Tritium can affect protein precursors that will make up the chromosomal strands in the DNA, which can damage the DNA creating a mutational effect. These processes can result in cancers, miscarriages, birth defects, sterility, and hypothyroidism, not only in those directly affected but also in their offspring and subsequent offspring. ionizing radiation such as tritium is a proven cause of breast cancer, for example, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). See Clapp, Howe & Jacobs, 2005 for the relationship of ionizing radiation to bladder, bone, brain, breast, colon, leukemia, liver, lung, multiple myeloma, nasal and nasopharynx, stomach and thyroid cancers. For cancer risks to the general public and the chemicals/radiation they are related to see "The State of the Science by Cancer Type" (pg. 12) in the same article.

Taking Action on the Issue

In March 2008, WHEN presented a deputation to the Ontario Drinking Water Advisory Council (ODWAC) on Tritium. WHEN and many other participants stressed the importance of governments in protecting human health and the environment. The final report of the ODWAC (see www.odwac.gov.on.ca/reports/052109_ODWAC_Tritium_Report.pdf) basically enunciated a long-held position that nuclear power is a toxic and expensive technology that requires an orderly and determined phase-out for the sake of ensuring cancer prevention and the availability of public and private resources for developing a green energy future for Ontario. It was released on June 9, 2009 and called for protective policy changes – and has yet to be addressed by the Ontario government.

WHEN endorsed the energy framework, principles and recommendations of the letter by Dr. David McKeown, Toronto Medical Officer of Health, to Premier Dalton McGuinty regarding the Ontario Power Authority Supply Mix Advice report (Feb 3, 2006). Dr. McKeown called for a sustainable energy strategy for the province composed of a combination of measures, in the following order of priority: demand management (energy efficiency and conservation) approaches and supply from low-impact ecologically sustainable renewable sources rather than from nuclear energy.

WHEN also concurred with recommendations contained in the Pembina/CELA Report, Power for the Future Towards a Sustainable Electricity System for Ontario that nuclear power plants be phased out by 2020 thereby stopping all such releases ( www.cela.ca, www.pembina.org, www.cleanairaliance.org and www.renewableisdoable.com).

Well-researched and already employed solutions have been known for decades. Rather than billions of dollars going to nuclear expansion, the public, governments and industry must agressively pursue implementation of the Ontario Green Energy and Economy Act, feed-in tariffs, the conservation, efficiency and renewable power generation in Ontario as a viable alternative to nuclear energy

Resolved that,

Given the above, and in the wake of the tragic nuclear accident at Fukushima, Japan, the Women’s Healthy Environment Network (WHEN)

1. Calls for a moratorium on refurbishment of old reactors, a halt to plans for the construction of new ones, and the phasing out of present ones as they come to the end of their functioning period.

2. Promotes sustainability in all electricity demand and supply initiatives of provincial and federal governments, conserving and reducing energy consumption and developing safe alternative energy resources.

3. Supports the principles of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999, and specifically the precautionary principle with respect to the continued expansion of nuclear energy.

4. Joins with and supports initiatives with other organizations, institutions and individuals on these objectives for a just, healthy and safe future.

References

Clapp, R., Howe, G. & Jacobs, M. J. (2005). Environmental and occupational causes of cancer:A review of recent scientific literature. Boston, Massachusetts: Lowell Centre for Sustainable Production, University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

National Research Council of the National Academies. (2006). Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VII). Washington, DC: The National Academy Press.

Women’s Healthy Environments Network (WHEN), January 2012