The challenge of pollution and health in Canada

Abstract

The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, which conducted a comprehensive assessment of the health and economic impacts of key forms of toxic pollutants in air, water, and soil, estimated that 9 million people die annually from the impact of pollution, which represents 16% of all deaths worldwide. Over 90% of these pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. While Canada ranks seventh lowest in the world, the burden is still too high; many pollutants were not considered in the Commission’s work, and vulnerable populations—including the poor, women, children, and Indigenous peoples—are disproportionally affected by pollution in Canada. As Canadian co-authors in the Lancet Commission, here we consider the impact of pollution on the health of Canadians and discuss how best to address the problem.