How significant is pollution from vehicle exhaust?
According to the Provincial Health Officer’s 2003 Annual Report (download the PDF here), mobile sources (i.e. various forms of transportation and shipping) accounted for 53 percent of smog-forming pollutants in the Lower Fraser Valley. In fact, compared with the projected emissions of the controversial Sumas 2 energy plant in Washington state, Lower Mainland health-related emissions are significantly higher. Having a healthy population must start by changing our own transportation and shipping practices. The report notes that a large percentage of the Vancouver population already lives relatively close to roads carrying 15,000 or more vehicles per day. This should not be increased.
