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Toronto Smog Problems

Toronto has seen huge industry and population growth over the past 50 years and the city's 2.5 million residents have enjoyed steady economic prosperity. However, the city's rapid expansion has taken a toll on the environment and smog is a chronic problem.

Causes
- Fossil fuels generate Toronto's hazy brown smog. Emissions from the city's coal-burning power plants, millions of oil fueled furnaces and cars create a layer of ground-level ozone and tiny airborne particles that form smog. The city also blames pollution streaming in from the United States for Toronto's smog.
Health Effects
- In 2005, the Toronto Health Board released a study that linked smog to thousands of hospitalizations and 1,700 premature deaths. Breathing troubles, irritated eyes, infections and bronchitis are the common complaints related to smog. Children and the elderly are its most common victims.
Prevention/Solution
- Environment Canada, the nation's environmental protection agency, issues morning and evening air quality reports and offers an email smog alert program. Toronto has adopted a local law that bans engine idling for more than three minutes per hour. The city also is converting its municipal fleet to more energy-efficient vehicles and planting more trees.

Nature