Most of the time Metro Vancouver residents enjoy good, and steadily improving, air quality. Even so, there are still significant sources of air pollution in our region, and many factors that can influence how much can be in the air around you.
In addition to regional sources of air pollution, there could be other sources in your neighbourhood that can affect your local air quality. For example, using a wood-burning stove can increase fine particulate matter in or around your home, and living near a busy street could increase exposure to nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter.
Air pollution
Air pollution can come in many different forms, depending on where you live. Different communities can have different sources of air pollution, but a few common air pollutants are found throughout the Metro Vancouver region:
| Air Quality Objectives Fact Sheet | https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/air-quality-objectives-fact-sheet.pdf, Air Quality Objectives Factsheet | Air Quality Objectives Fact Sheet | <div class="ExternalClassBD488DD455B745678F57D55AE4EE835D"><p>Metro Vancouver measures air quality in the Lower Fraser Valley with scientific instruments at air quality stations close to where people live, work and play. We determine how clean the air is by comparing these measurements to the Air Quality Health Index and ambient air quality objectives<br></p></div> |
| Ground-Level Ozone Factsheet | https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/ground-level-ozone-fact-sheet.pdf, Ground-Level Ozone Factsheet | Ground-Level Ozone Factsheet | <div class="ExternalClass75B3BAEE42544DC5B869CD8A29388C8E"><p>Ozone is a pungent gas made of three oxygen atoms. Ozone can form in two places: 1) high up in the atmosphere, and 2) right down at the ground. When it’s up high in the ozone layer it’s “good” ozone. The ozone layer acts like sunscreen lotion for the Earth – blocking out most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.<br></p></div> |
| Nitrogen Oxides Fact Sheet | https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/nitrogen-oxides-fact-sheet.pdf, Nitrogen Oxides Factsheet | Nitrogen Oxides Fact Sheet | <div class="ExternalClassB30F6455C265406A98BBCAEE8EC4D0CD"><p>Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) are known collectively as nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>). On hot and sunny days, nitrogen oxides can react with other pollutants to form ground-level ozone. Nitrogen oxides can also react with other pollutants to form fine particulate matter.<br></p></div> |
| Particulate Matter Fact Sheet | https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/particulate-matter-fact-sheet.pdf, Particulate Matter Factsheet | Particulate Matter Fact Sheet | <div class="ExternalClass1E9313CE4206457E819395EC7A052D91"><p>Particulate matter (PM) is made up of tiny solid or liquid particles that float in the air. Particulate matter can be emitted directly and it can be formed indirectly when nitrogen oxides or sulphur oxides react with ammonia in the atmosphere.</p></div> |
| Sulphur DioxideFact Sheet | https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/sulphur-dioxide-fact-sheet.pdf, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Factsheet | Sulphur DioxideFact Sheet | <div class="ExternalClassCADE538B1CD54EC49735890DC918E393"><p>Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless gas that smells like burnt matches. It is emitted when fossil fuels containing sulphur are burned. Sulphur dioxide can also react with other substances in the air to form particulate matter which can affect human health and create a “white haze” in the air.<br></p></div> |
Check out Metro Vancouver’s latest emission inventory to learn more about air contaminant sources and types in the region.
Air pollution can come and go with the seasons and weather: hot days during the summer can lead to more ground-level ozone, and cool, wet days can reduce the amount of particulate matter in the air. Summer also comes with the risk of wildfires and smoke that can increase both fine particulate matter and ozone.
Caring for the Air reports detail the variety of air pollution sources in our region, and what Metro Vancouver is doing to protect and improve our air quality.
Health impacts of air pollution
Outdoor air pollutants commonly associated with negative health effects include particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Health Canada estimates that 14,600 premature deaths each year in Canada can be linked to fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. An individual’s response to air pollution will depend on the type and amount of air pollution they are exposed to, how long they are exposed, and their pre-existing health conditions and age.
Well-studied health impacts from exposure to air pollution include:
- headache and eye, nose, and throat irritation
- asthma onset and exacerbation
- respiratory infections
- lung cancer
- stroke
- heart disease
- death
Recent studies have also found that exposure to air pollution may be linked to:
- reduced lung function
- pre-term birth
- low-birth weight
- childhood obesity
- cognitive development
- mental health outcomes
- dementia
- diabetes
The populations most at risk of negative health impacts from air pollution include children, older adults, pregnant women and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions. Some people are more exposed to air pollution than others, including people who live, work or play close to busy roads. Research suggests that there is no safe level of exposure to some air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, and for this reason we should reduce exposure as much as we can.