Breathing the air in parts of Hamilton is like smoking a cigarette a day, researcher says | CBC News

Study Finds High Levels of Cancer-Causing Pollutant in Hamilton’s Air

According to a two-year study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto, breathing the air in Hamilton is equivalent to smoking part of a cigarette every day in terms of exposure to cancer-causing benzo(a)pyrene. The study monitored air quality at various sites in both urban and rural areas of the city and found that benzo(a)pyrene levels exceeded provincial guidelines in all urban areas. This indicates that the pollutant is affecting the entire city, with Hamilton having higher levels than most places in Ontario. The only areas where levels were within guidelines were the rural areas surrounding Hamilton.

Industrial Polluters and Provincial Targets

Benzo(a)pyrene is emitted by burning fossil fuels, including in steel mills’ coke ovens and vehicle engines. Many industrial emitters, such as ArcelorMittal Dofasco, have exemptions from the Ministry of the Environment that allow them to emit higher volumes of the chemical. The study aims to correlate areas with higher air pollution to cancer rates in the city. While individual cancer risk from the observed levels is not expected to be significantly high, the cumulative effect across the city could lead to increased cancer cases.

Efforts to Improve Air Quality

The study suggests that reducing individual exemptions for industrial polluters and transitioning away from coal in the steelmaking process and combustion engines in vehicles could greatly improve air quality. The researchers also found that nitrogen dioxide was highest in the industrial area but present throughout the lower city, while ozone had the highest concentration in Hamilton’s rural areas. Both pollutants are emitted by burning fossil fuels.

Political Action Needed

Environment Hamilton, a partner in the study, encourages the public to make air quality a political issue by contacting their local members of provincial parliament. They emphasize the importance of addressing emissions limits and exemptions through political pressure and urge residents to reach out to their representatives to advocate for cleaner air.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The issue of air pollution and its impact on human health is addressed under SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The issue of air pollution in urban areas, particularly in Hamilton, is connected to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The issue of emissions from industrial sources and exemptions granted to industrial emitters is relevant to SDG 12, which promotes responsible consumption and production.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The need to transition away from coal and combustion engines to reduce air pollution aligns with SDG 13, which emphasizes climate action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination

The article highlights the presence of benzo(a)pyrene, a cancer-causing chemical, in Hamilton’s air. The target of reducing deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air pollution is relevant in this context.

Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

The article discusses the high levels of benzo(a)pyrene in urban areas of Hamilton, indicating a need to address air quality issues in cities. This target focuses on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality.

Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

The article mentions the emissions of benzo(a)pyrene from industrial sources, such as steel mills’ coke ovens, and the exemptions granted to industrial emitters. This target emphasizes the need for environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

The article highlights the importance of transitioning away from coal in the steelmaking process and combustion engines in vehicles to improve air quality. This target emphasizes the integration of climate change measures into policies and strategies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Benzo(a)pyrene levels in the air: This indicator can be used to assess the presence and concentration of the hazardous chemical in the air.
• Correlation between air pollution and cancer rates: This indicator can help determine the impact of air pollution, specifically benzo(a)pyrene, on cancer rates in the city.
• Comparison of Hamilton’s air quality with other places in Ontario: This indicator can provide insights into the extent of air pollution in Hamilton compared to other areas.
• Emissions of benzo(a)pyrene from industrial sources: This indicator can measure the release of the hazardous chemical from industrial activities, such as steel mills’ coke ovens.
• Exemptions granted to industrial emitters for higher volumes of chemicals: This indicator can assess the extent of exemptions granted to industrial emitters and their impact on chemical emissions.
• Moving away from coal in the steelmaking process: This indicator can track the progress of transitioning away from coal and adopting cleaner alternatives in the steelmaking industry.
• Transitioning away from combustion engines in vehicles: This indicator can measure the shift towards electric or alternative fuel vehicles to reduce emissions from combustion engines.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators