Web Stats 
What is happening locally?
There are many initiatives currently in place within Niagara, including:
Niagara Parks Commission's Spare the Air Campaign and Tour bus and transport truck anti-idling campaign.
Results from 2003 found that over the season, the rate of compliance increased, up to 90% in some cases. The estimated reductions made to the air include:
- 13,225 fewer tonnes of carbon dioxide
- 44 fewer tonnes of nitrogen oxide
- 485 fewer tonnes of carbon monoxide
- 34 fewer tonnes of volatile organic compounds and 1 less tonne of fine particulate matter.
Municipalities involved in the campaign include Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Fort Erie.
Port Colborne has had an Anti-idling Campaign in place since April 2004
The Municipality also signed up for the David Suzuki Foundation Nature Challenge 2 years ago. At that time, they also put the challenge out to the other municipalities. For more information on the Nature Challenge, please visit davidsuzuki.org/WOL/Challenge/
St. Catharines has a number of action items in place to enable them to respond to a Smog episode, including:
- When a Smog Alert is issued the St. Catharines Beach Hotline is amended, informing the public of the alert.
- A Public Education campaign is ongoing throughout the summer months. This includes information on how the public can protect themselves as well as reduce activities that contribute to smog. Specific emphasis is on reducing vehicle idling.
- Gasoline re-fuelling is delayed until the evening (this is done throughout the year, not only during smog alerts.)
- Reduction of strenuous outdoor work (usually coinciding with very hot days).
Wainfleet
The CEO of the Wainfleet library has adapted tables for a "Made in Wainfleet" Smog Alert Response Plan filled with actions the library can feasibly attempt in the event of a Smog Alert.Wainfleet Township Public Library Smog Alert Response Plan
Suspend:
- Suspend outdoor activities for vulnerable groups (children, elderly, those with heart or respiratory problems)
- Use of motor vehicle courier services (as an alternative, use fax, emails or bicycle couriers)
- Use of air conditioning in all vehicles and buildings or re-setting air conditioning temperatures slightly higher -NOTE: The Library is a public facility here people often seek shelter from extreme weather conditions
- Use of non essential lights, i.e. rooms not in use
- Vehicle idling
- Strenuous outdoor work or exercise
- Requirement of formal office attire
Provide:
- Smog response information to encourage appropriate actions
- Signage to indicate "Idle-free zone" near outdoor book drop
- Education and Outreach initiatives
- Assistance to employees to take transit or car pool
- Increase awareness of precautions to take to protect human and environmental health
- Alternative tasks/work options
Alternative tasks/work options:
- Delay deliveries and errands that require motor vehicle use
- Use teleconferencing in lieu of driving to meetings
- Relaxed dress code
- Inside, energy reduced "office day" options
- Administrative/paperwork
- Complete inventory
- Organize stockroom or files
- Return phone calls; make contacts
More information coming soon!
Local air quality initiatives will be posted in this section, as the "End of Smog Season" Evaluation is completed.
What is happening in other regions?
Toronto
Public Health Document: this link brings you to a number of recent documents
on air quality and health, including:
What is happening in the province?
Both the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the Ministry of the Environment
have Smog Awareness campaigns underway. Click on the links below to view fact
sheets and posters:
The
MOE's Five Point Clean Air Plan
Analysis of Ontario's Five Point Clean Air Plan
Keith Stewart of Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) provides a well developed
analysis of the Ministry of the Environment's 5-point plan for Air Quality,
which was announced at the Smog Summit 2004.
Smog
Summit 2004
Summary of annual Smog Summit held in Toronto attended by representatives from
across Southern Ontario.
What is happening in Canada?
For more information about what is happening with smog and your health at the
federal level, please visit:
What is happening internationally?
Below are examples of air quality studies in other countries:
Will A Reduction In Air Pollution Improve Health?