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Growing Air Pollution Hurting Canadians' Heart Health, Foundation Says

Posted on: Monday, 28 January 2008, 15:00 CST

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO - The Heart and Stroke Foundation says air pollution is contributing to the deaths of thousands of Canadians a year because of its effects on heart health, but most people don't realize the danger.

A report by the foundation says there are about 6,000 additional deaths in Canada each year because of short-term exposure to air pollution.

Research suggests almost 70 per cent of these deaths result from cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.

Foundation spokeswoman Dr. Beth Abramson says there are increased rates of heart attack and a big jump in hospital admissions for heart failure and stroke after both short-and long-term exposure to polluted air.

And air pollution isn't a problem just in summer months or in cities alone - fine particulate matter from automobiles, industry and wood-burning stoves clogs the air throughout the winter and can travel on winds up to 800 kilometres away.

Environment Canada estimates that at least 30 per cent of Canadians are being exposed to higher than acceptable levels of fine particulate matter.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation says government needs to set stricter pollution standards and roll out the daily Air Quality Health Index across the country so at-risk Canadians can limit outdoor activities on high pollution days.

Source: Canadian Press

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