This was partly caused by the recent warm weather, but it is still shocking for a relatively small city.

I wonder if morning commuters from the suburbs ever consider that their daily commutes contribute to 2,500 deaths a year in Quebec through air pollution?

Via: CNW Group

SAINT-LEON-DE-STANDON, QC, Nov. 7 /CNW Telbec/ – The Association
québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA) is asking the
people of Quebec to take action. The health of the population of southern
Quebec is being harmed by a fourth consecutive day of very poor air quality.
According to health authorities, air pollution kills approximately 2,500
people a year in Quebec. Unfortunately, we are in many respects responsible
for our suffering and the victims of our own actions.

These recent episodes of air pollution are unusual for this time of year,
and are caused primarily by automobile emissions. Because of current
meteorological conditions – stable and low cloud cover, combined with high
humidity and very weak winds – airborne pollutants are not being dispersed. As
a result, the marked decrease in air quality is mostly due to pollutants that
are emitted locally.

The cause of the problem lies largely with the state of vehicles in
Quebec. The province is one of the last regions in North America that allows
cars not equipped with anti-pollution systems to remain on the road. There are
no mandatory emissions inspections, and, as a result, vehicles that emit
excessive amounts of pollution continue to be tolerated.

We can create change!

In order to reduce pollution resulting from the use of automobiles, we
must increase use of public transit, car-pooling and car sharing.