Halton Region charts new territory with establishment of air monitoring program

With the installation of a new air monitoring station in Milton, Halton Region becomes one of the first municipalities in Canada to establish its own air monitoring program. While everyone is affected by poor air quality, children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing heart and breathing conditions are particularly sensitive. The Ontario Medical Association estimates that air quality will contribute to approximately 336 premature deaths in Halton this year alone.

“The protection and enhancement of our natural environment is a key theme of Halton Region’s strategic plan,” said Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair. “The establishment of the air monitoring program is a significant step. It will help us protect and enhance Halton’s air quality, which in turn will safeguard residents’ health.”

A report released earlier this month by Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, noted that current air monitoring in Ontario does not provide information about air quality near emission sources within urban areas. Halton Region’s innovative air monitoring program addresses this issue. The program, which includes monitoring with two portable air monitors and a fixed air monitoring station in Milton, aims to educate the public, describe air quality across the Region, and evaluate land use planning decisions and policies for their impact on air quality.

The fixed Milton air monitoring station is located at Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School. It will measure levels of the five common air pollutants linked to negative health effects. This new station adds another air monitor to Halton’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) network. The Air Quality Health Index is a national health-based index to help people protect their health from poor air quality. Until now, Halton’s AQHI has been based on two Ministry of the Environment air monitoring stations in Oakville and Burlington.

“Outdoor air quality in southern Ontario poses a significant risk to human health year round,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. ”The air monitoring program provides the Region with the tools that we need to protect human health and improve air quality across the Region over time.”

Real-time, local results from the Milton station are available on the Region’s website. To learn more about air quality initiatives in Halton Region, call 905-825-6000, toll-free 1-866-442-5866, TTY 905-827-9833, or visit www.halton.ca/airquality.

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