Clarkson Airshed Study from the Ministry of the Environment

On Wednesday, May 9, 2007, Halton's Medical Officer of Health presented the Ministry of the Environment's Clarkson Airshed Study to the Regional Council. This study analyzed 22 months of data gathered from six air monitoring stations spread throughout Halton and Peel to assess air quality measured by particulate count. The conclusion - no surprise - air quality is compromised in Halton. Four of the six monitoring stations - all within Halton, found levels of respirable particulate matter that surpassed acceptable standards. The cause? Vehicular traffic. Even when local industrial facilities ( which account for as much as 25 percent of normal particulate emissions) are in compliance with current air quality standards, the airshed is still "taxed" due to overall impact of various sources. Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton's Chief Medical Officer concluded - air quality human health and climate could be negatively impacted by an increase in emissions associated with buildings, vehicles and workplaces. Something to watch with Halton's growth in the next decade....