Why is smog a problem?
Smog is a problem because it affects our health and the environment. Short-term exposure to smog can cause respiratory problems and nose and throat irritation. In 2005, the Ontario Medical Association released a report entitled The Illness Costs of Air Pollution in Ontario. The report estimated the provincial health and economic damages associated with exposure to poor air quality. Data for Ontario revealed that exposure to air pollution was predicted to result in approximately: 5,800 premature deaths 17,000 hospital admissions, and 60,000 emergency room visits in 2005 If nothing was done to improve Ontario’s air quality, the number of premature deaths was estimated to hit 10,000 by the year 2026 as the population ages. The combined healthcare and lost productivity costs in 2005 were estimated to reach almost a billion dollars and could reach well over a billion dollars by 2026. Smog is harmful to our environment because it can damage our crops and vegetation. The pollutants in smog al
