Air pollution is putting your heart at risk

Heart and Stroke Foundation
Media Release

********************

Air pollution is putting Canadians at risk of heart disease and stroke, but most people are unaware of the threat, states the 2008 Heart and Stroke Foundation Report Card on Canadians’ Health.

Short-term exposure to air pollution causes approximately 6,000 additional deaths in Canada every year, and research suggests that 69% of these deaths come in the form of heart disease and stroke. And the more you’re exposed to air pollution from car exhaust and factories, among other sources, the higher your risk.

Studies suggest that every 10-microgram/m3 increase in long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (particles in the air 2.5 microns or smaller) can heighten the risk of death from heart disease and stroke by as much as 76%. However, a national Heart and Stroke Foundation poll of 1,134 Canadians revealed that only 13% made the connection between air pollution and heart disease.

Air pollution is created by factories, cars, windblown dust and smoke from wood stoves and backyard burning. It affects people living in rural areas as well as cities all across the country.

While 63% of people believe air quality has a major effect on health, only 3% recognized that air pollution is a year-round problem. During winter, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can be dangerous sources of air pollution, releasing 28% of fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemical compounds.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation is asking the Federal government to reduce air pollution and its impact on heart disease by:

· strengthening laws regarding National Air Quality Standards
· increasing investments in public transit, including high-speed railways, across the country
· rolling out the national Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to all parts of the country to give all Canadians clear recommendations on when and how to limit their exposure. The AQHI is only available for residents of Toronto and British Columbia.(To view the AQHI, go to www.ec.gc.ca)

Canadians can send a letter to their government representatives to urge them to reduce air pollution by going to heartandstroke.ca

See the full 2008 Heart and Stroke Foundation Report Card on Canadians’ Health at heartandstroke.ca

********************