Air Quality in Simcoe Muskoka

The air we breathe is a priceless resource. In a time period of increasing smog days, heat advisories and global climate change, air quality has become a major concern. Air quality is affected by pollutants from a variety of sources, but mostly from human activities like industry and transportation. These pollutants result in illness and premature death and cost our health care system millions of dollars each year. Evidence shows that people in Simcoe Muskoka are experiencing negative health impacts from air pollution. In the future, rapid population growth and the aging of the population will contribute to an increased number of these unhealthy effects.

This report will focus on the health effects of outdoor air pollution, examine the range of factors that contribute to poor air quality, and report on local activities that are helping to improve air quality in Simcoe Muskoka.