1998

In 1998, the Ontario Medical Association declared a “State of Emergency” regarding the air pollution levels in Hamilton and the “serious risk” that it posed to human health.  Graphs showing trends of suspended particulate matter (SPM) demonstrate a corresponding peak in 1998 (Figure 1).  Inhalable particulate matter (PM10) contributes to 40-50% of the total SPM in Hamilton and has been deemed a major risk factor for negative health effects and outcomes such as low birth weight, increased emergency room visits, respiratory and pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature deaths.  In response to the state of emergency, Clean Air Hamilton was initiated to improve air quality throughout the City of Hamilton.

 

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Figure 1: Demonstrating the total average SPM in Hamilton Ontario from 1996 to 2021, including both inhalable particulates (PM10) and respirable particulates (PM2.5). The industrial sites continuously had a higher average than the city sites, however, they occasionally followed similar patterns. There has been a steady decline in average SPM in city sites, whereas there are more peaks observed in industrial sites, including in 1998, 2001, 2005, 2010, and 2015. The highest average recorded in the industry sites was in 1998 and the lowest was in 2009 and 2011, while the highest in the city sites occurred in 1996 and the lowest was in 2020.

 

Particulate matter (PM) also poses concerns for the environment and ecosystems through its deposition in water and soil and its consequent uptake by plants.  PM can affect water quality by increasing acidity and changing the nutrient balance.   PM can also interfere with plant growth and deplete nutrients from the soil due to its composition containing metal and organic compounds. Additional concern is raised because the wind can carry PM over long distances.

 

In a study exploring air pollution risk perceptions and concerns, interviews were conducted with residents of Hamilton in 1998.  Health concerns appeared in 71% of interviews, the inconvenient lifestyle impacts of air pollution were mentioned in 62% of interviews, complaints about haze and odour were mentioned in 48% of interviews, and worries about environmental damage were mentioned in 29% of interviews. Many of the quotes demonstrate that the participants each have a personal understanding of air and water quality and the impact of these measures on health and the environment.  Often, these perceptions are based solely on visible signs of pollution and lived experience. Many of the participants associated their health problems and those of family and friends with the air pollution from the industry. A 45-year-old resident who had been living in Hamilton for 20 years noted:

 

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Another participant, who was 30 years old and was living in Hamilton for 7 years, expressed:

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A participant who was 35 years old and who had been living in Hamilton for 9 years said:

 

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Environmental concerns were also expressed, including by a participant who was 40 years old and a lifetime resident who stated: 

 

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Breathing problems and illness were common themes among the answers of the participants, which aligns with the data demonstrating that respiratory issues are a prominent reason for hospital admission in Hamilton and are linked to high levels of air pollution (Figure 2).

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Figure 2: Pie chart demonstrating the distribution of health effects due to air pollution in Hamilton. The concerns expressed related to respiratory illness and breathing problems in the interviews included in the study by Wakefield, et al., 2001 align with the elevated respiratory hospital admissions.