Why is air quality important?

Every day the average adult breathes between 15,000 to 20,000 litres of air. Both indoor and outdoor air contains chemical and biological gases, some of which are harmful to us. These harmful pollutants include ground level ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphates, nitrates, particulate matter and toxic metals.

Air pollution knows no boundaries; it affects urban, suburban and rural areas at all times of the year. Seniors, children and those with certain health conditions are the most susceptible to the effects of poor air quality. People who are physically active outdoors are also at a greater risk.

Although some pollutants are a result of naturally occurring activities, most are a result of human activities such as from coal-burning power plants, industries and vehicle emissions. When we take steps to improve air quality, such as by not idling a vehicle, taking public transit and reducing energy consumption in our home, we are reducing our negative impact on air quality.

What do we know about Pickering’s air quality?

In 2006, politicians from the municipalities of Pickering, Toronto, Markham, Burlington, Ajax and Peel Region took part in local air quality testing to gather information and raise awareness of the concerns of air quality especially for those most at risk.

Hand-held instruments were used to measure particulate matter produced from direct vehicle tailpipe emissions. Each participating municipality sample area included a busy road and on a residential street to compare the different concentrations of particulate matter showing the local and regional effects.

The sampling showed that air pollution is both a local and a regional issue.

What is the City doing to improve air quality?

• Becoming a member of GTA Clean Air Council in 2002
• Adopting the Idling of Vehicles By-law (6297/04) in 2004
• Investigating alternative fuel options for the City’s fleet
• Purchasing five hybrid-electric vehicles and a street sweeper certified by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Rule 1186 as PM-10 Efficient
• Adopting greenhouse gas reduction targets and action plans to meet these targets, through our involvement in the Federation of Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection program
• On-going work on developing Sustainable Neighbourhood Planning guidelines
• On-going work on developing benchmarks for measuring sustainability
• Participating in the annual GTA Smog Summit and signing the Inter-governmental Declaration on Clean Air
• Setting up an environmental display throughout the community to distribute information and educate residents about a variety of issues

What can you do to improve air quality?

• Participate in the Pollution Probe Clean Air Commute
• Plant a tree through Ontario’s Plant a Tree Program
• Avoid emissions from idling: if you’re stopped for more than 60 seconds – except in traffic – turn off the engine
• If there is a line up at the drive-through of your favourite coffee shop or restaurant, do not add to the idling problem. Park your vehicle, stretch your legs and walk in to place your order
• Avoid using a remote car starter; this device encourages you to leave your vehicle idling longer than it needs to
• In temperatures below 0ºC, use a block heater to warm the engine before you start your vehicle
• Spread the anti-idling message to your family, friends and co-workers
• Carpool or take public transit
• Encourage your employer to join the Smart Commute program

Idle calculator

Use the Idle Calculator to find out how much CO2 you generate while idling.