21,000 Canadians Will Die From Pollution In 2008
16/08/2008 04:22
Up to 21,000
Canadians will die this year due to air
pollution, with 3,000 of those deaths due to
short-term exposure to
smog.The heart-stopping figures are some of the key findings in the first large-scale report on the impact of air pollution across Canada.
It finds that by 2031, almost 90,000 Canadians will have died from the acute short-term effects of pollution and more than 700,000 will be dead from long term exposure.
The economic impact of those deaths will cost Canada $8 billion in 2008 and over $250 billion by 2031.
The study "No Breathing Room: National Illness Costs of Air Pollution" was completed by the Canadian Medical Association and released on Wednesday.
"Much has been made about the poor air quality in China and the effect it is having on our athletes," CMA President Dr. Brian Day told a news teleconference on Wednesday.
"But we have a serious home-grown pollution problem right here and Canadians, ranging from the very young to the very old, are paying the price."
Sad situation here.
SINC SAYS:
And you thought global warming was a problem?