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____________________________________
Climate
Change and Your Child's Health
Air
Pollution ___________________________________________________ Air Pollution
Why is our climate changing?
The atmosphere of the earth contains the air that we breathe, protects us from radiation and keeps our planet warm. Gases in our atmosphere, called "greenhouse gases", hold in the heat. About a hundred and fifty years ago, we began to burn large amounts of fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) to create power and heat. These fuels release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into our air. In fact, billions of tons of greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere every year. This is like throwing an extra blanket on the bed - it traps in more heat and warms our planet, causing our climate to change. And this will, in turn, affect our weather.
Average temperatures in Canada are already rising. Scientists predict that, over the next century, Canada will be 1.5°C - 5°C warmer in the South and as much as 5°C - 7°C warmer in the North. Even a small increase in the average yearly temperature could have serious consequences that would affect our health, and especially that of our children.
How does climate change affect air pollution?
Warm temperatures create the perfect conditions for the production of "smog" - that brown haze that hovers over cities on hot, sunny days. Smog is largely made up of "ground level ozone", a gas formed when sunlight and heat combine with the fumes from cars, trucks, lawnmowers, boat engines, ATVs and other fuel powered engines, as well as, the emissions from manufacturing plants, dry cleaners and coal or gas-fired power plants. Smog and ozone, like other air pollutants, can irritate the throat and lungs, especially in infants and young children, causing severe breathing problems, asthma attacks, swelling of the lung tissue and weakening of the immune system. Children are already more likely to go to the hospital for breathing problems caused by air pollution than for any other reasons. Global warming is likely to make the air pollution problems worse.
What are the dangers?
Take a deep breath in one of Canada's larger cities on a hot summer day, and chances are you're taking in more than oxygen. Contained in that breath is likely a mixture of toxic pollutants and very fine dirt particles that can damage lungs and make people sick. Millions of tons of air pollutants are produced every year in Canada alone and tons more get blown north into our air from industrial regions in the United States.
Among the most harmful of these chemical pollutants are "sulfur dioxides", "nitrogen oxides" and "ground level ozone". Other pollutants occur naturally in the environment. They are irritants like pollen grains, spores from fungus and dust. Breathing any or all of these pollutants can irritate and cause damage to lungs and airways, lower resistance to illnesses such as flu and pneumonia, and severely increase asthma and allergy attacks. Health Canada estimates that air pollution is the cause of 5,000 premature deaths in Canada each year.
Most municipalities in Canada monitor air quality and issue air quality advisories when the levels of certain pollutants are high. It is important to be aware of such air quality advisories and to keep children indoors during these episodes.
CHILDREN are at greatest risk!
What can YOU do to fight climate change?
All Canadians contribute to greenhouse gas emissions - every time we do anything that uses energy. In fact, the actions of individual Canadians account for 28 percent of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions - that's almost 5 tons per person per year!
Cut back your use of energy
Get Active!
Take your concern about climate change to your Member of Parliament, MPP and local politicians. Tell your elected officials and utilities operators that you support efficient and environmentally friendly sources of energy. Use your consumer power to support new, green technologies.
Get Informed!
For more information about climate change and what you can do, visit the Government of Canada climate change website at www.climatechange.gc.ca or call 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232).
___________________________________________________
Why is our climate
changing?
The atmosphere of the earth contains the air that we breathe, protects us from radiation and keeps our planet warm. Gases in our atmosphere, called "greenhouse gases", hold in the heat. About a hundred and fifty years ago, we began to burn large amounts of fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) to create power and heat. These fuels release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into our air. In fact, billions of tons of greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere every year. This is like throwing an extra blanket on the bed - it traps in more heat and warms our planet, causing our climate to change. And this will, in turn, affect our weather.
Average temperatures in Canada are already rising. Scientists predict that, over the next century, Canada will be 1.5°C - 5°C warmer in the South and as much as 5°C - 7°C warmer in the North. Even a small increase in the average yearly temperature could have serious consequences that would affect our health, and especially that of our children.
What happens during a heat wave?
Times when the thermometer is over 30°C day after day can be dangerous. If the humidity is also high, the danger increases. High humidity, meaning lots of moisture in the air, can make a 32°C day feel more like it is 36°C or higher. Weather forecasters often give us the "humidex" - the heat we feel as a combined result of the temperature and the humidity, as well as the actual temperature. Scientists predict that climate change will lead to more and longer heat waves. For most of us this will mean more discomfort, but for others, it could be life threatening.
What are the dangers?
Heat stress is an immediate risk
Very hot weather can cause your body's temperature to rise abnormally high. Heat stress in infants, young children, the ill and the elderly can pose a serious threat to their health, and in some cases, actually cause death.
Playing active sports outdoors, working or even lounging in the sun for an extended period of time during a heat wave can cause problems. Restrict your children's active outdoor play, including organized sports such as soccer, football or cycling during heat waves.
Among those at higher risk are children living in homes where windows and doors must be kept closed during the heat to keep out noise, dirt, or pollution. The one in five children in Canada who live in poverty are more likely to be exposed to these living conditions. They are also more likely to live in buildings that are poorly insulated and have poor ventilation, all risk factors for heat stress.
If children appear faint or drowsy, with hot, dry skin, sponge them down immediately with cold water or wrap them naked in a wet sheet, give them cool water to drink, and seek medical attention.
Heat waves can cause food to go bad quickly
Most foods in Canada are stored and handled properly, but when heat waves hit, foods spoil sooner and extra precautions should be taken.
Summer is a time when we tend to barbecue, picnic or eat outdoors more often. This means that food has to be transported or handled more than usual. Serious risk of "E.coli", commonly called "hamburger disease", can occur if raw hamburger is not cooked long enough to kill all the bacteria. Other foods, such as potato salad, deviled eggs and macaroni salad made with mayonnaise dressing, which are commonly eaten at outdoor events, can also be a source of food poisoning if not stored properly.
Be sure to keep foods cold at all times and cook hamburger until all the meat is well done. Wash your hands, plates and utensils that have come into contact with raw meats before touching anything or anyone. If you can't keep food cold, choose foods that do not need to be cold such as juices and crackers.
CHILDREN are at greatest risk!
Children are the least able to cope with the potential impacts of heat waves.
What can YOU do to fight climate change?
All Canadians contribute to greenhouse gas emissions - every time we do anything that uses energy. In fact, the actions of individual Canadians account for 28 percent of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions - that's almost 5 tons per person per year!
Cut back your use of energy
Get Active!
Take your concern about climate change to your Member of Parliament, MPP and local politicians. Tell your elected officials and utilities operators that you support efficient and environmentally friendly sources of energy. Use your consumer power to support new, green technologies.
Get Informed!
For more information about climate change and what you can do, visit the Government of Canada climate change website at www.climatechange.gc.ca or call 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232).
(PDF
File 123kb)
Why is our climate changing?
The atmosphere of the earth contains the air that we breathe, protects us from radiation and keeps our planet warm. Gases in our atmosphere, called "greenhouse gases", hold in the heat. About a hundred and fifty years ago, we began to burn large amounts of fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) to create power and heat. These fuels release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into our air. In fact, billions of tons of greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere every year. This is like throwing an extra blanket on the bed - it traps in more heat and warms our planet, causing our climate to change. And this will, in turn, affect our weather.
Average temperatures in Canada are already rising. Scientists predict that, over the next century, Canada will be 1.5°C - 5°C warmer in the South and as much as 5°C - 7°C warmer in the North. Even a small increase in the average yearly temperature could have serious consequences that would affect our health, and especially that of our children.
How will our water supply be affected?
Climate change will very likely alter the pattern of rainfall that contributes to our water supply. Depending on where you live in Canada, our changing climate could mean your area will have less rainfall, with the potential of droughts, or too much rainfall, with the possibility of floods. Either way, climate change is likely to affect the amount and quality of Canadian's drinking water.
Too little rain can cause droughts that result in wells, springs or underground "aquifers" going dry. Droughts can also cause whatever chemical pollution or disease-causing microbes there are in the water to be concentrated in the small amount of water that is left. This raises the risk that harmful bacteria or chemicals will be found at higher and more dangerous concentrations in our water than usual.
Too much rain can also have serious consequences for water supply and quality. Heavy rains can cause flooding of sewage and storm sewers and force residues of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, as well as animal waste from farms, into the water systems. Run-off from industrial sites and landfills also becomes a risk to our drinking water when floods occur. Although water treatment plants can remove contaminants, some plants cannot cope with all pollutants that are washed into our water supply during floods.
What are the dangers?
Bacterial contamination happens when water comes into contact with human or animal wastes and drowned livestock. This can easily happen during floods. Such type of contamination is also common when small animals inadvertently fall into surface wells and drown undetected.
Most waterborne diseases are caused by bacteria such as campylobacter, E. coli, cryptosporidium, giardia and Toxoplasma gondii (a disease caused by exposure to cat feces). Exposure to these bacteria can lead to severe vomiting and diarrhea, cramping and fever. In infants and children, dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea can be fatal. T. gondii has also been associated with miscarriage, stillbirth or, if the fetus survives, can result in impaired vision, deafness, and mental disabilities.
Contamination from toxic chemicals can also cause serious problems. Flooding of farms and golfcourses can cause chemical pesticides and fertilizers to be swept into waterways, and eventually, drinking water. Residues of fuels or industrial chemicals can also become waterborne during heavy rains and floods. Landfill sites that contain toxic waste from household cleaners, paints, plastics, garden pesticides, fuels and other toxic substances used in everyday life may also become a source of chemical contamination during flood conditions.
Exposure to toxic chemicals in drinking water could occur over long periods and result in the gradual accumulation of chemicals in the body. Risks associated with exposure to these chemicals include damage to the immune, reproductive and nervous systems. Many chemical toxins are also associated with certain types of cancers.
CHILDREN are at greatest risk!
What can YOU do to fight climate change?
All Canadians contribute to greenhouse gas emissions - every time we do anything that uses energy. In fact, the actions of individual Canadians account for 28 percent of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions - that's almost 5 tons per person per year!
Cut back your use of energy
Get Active!
Take your concern about climate change to your Member of Parliament, MPP and local politicians. Tell your elected officials and utilities operators that you support efficient and environmentally friendly sources of energy. Use your consumer power to support new, green technologies.
Get Informed!
For more information about climate change and what you can do, visit the Government of Canada climate change website at www.climatechange.gc.ca or call 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232).
(PDF
File 125kb)
Why is our climate changing?
The atmosphere of the earth contains the air that we breathe, protects us from radiation and keeps our planet warm. Gases in our atmosphere, called "greenhouse gases", hold in the heat. About a hundred and fifty years ago, we began to burn large amounts of fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) to create power and heat. These fuels release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into our air. In fact, billions of tons of greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere every year. This is like throwing an extra blanket on the bed - it traps in more heat and warms our planet, causing our climate to change. And this will, in turn, affect our weather.
Average temperatures in Canada are already rising. Scientists predict that, over the next century, Canada will be 1.5°C - 5°C warmer in the South and as much as 5°C - 7°C warmer in the North. Even a small increase in the average yearly temperature could have serious consequences that would affect our health, and especially that of our children.
What are extreme weather events?
Extreme weather events are the worst kinds of weather - blizzards and ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, heavy rains, hail storms and droughts. Floods, devastation and fires are often the result. Over the past few years, Canada has seen an increasing number of these traumatic events like the Red River Flood in Manitoba in the spring of 1997, and the ice storm in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec in 1998. The insurance industry paid out close to $100 billion in weather-related claims during the 1990s, four times the amount paid out in the 1980s. While there is no direct proof that these severe weather events were a result of climate change, scientists tell us that as the climate warms over the next century, storms could become more frequent and severe.
What are the dangers?
Injury and death are immediate risks from extreme weather
Floods increase the chances of drowning. High winds can cause injury and death from flying debris and collapsed buildings. Lightening can injure, kill and ignite fires. The disruption of ambulance or fire services can prevent life-saving assistance from reaching people in need.
When really bad weather hits, keep children with you at all times. Listen for public advisories and follow all instructions carefully. Have bottled water, dried or canned food and flashlights ready in case of an emergency. In the event of hurricanes or tornadoes, take shelter in the basement or, if not possible, underneath a heavy table or desk away from windows. If caught in a vehicle during a hurricane or tornado, leave the vehicle and seek shelter in a ditch or other low-lying area. After heavy rains, keep children away from ditches, culverts and pools of standing water.
For more information on what to do check with Emergency Preparedness Canada at www.epc-pcc.gc.ca/publicinfo/ or call toll free 1-800-788-8282 for a free brochure.
Lives and communities can be uprooted and damaged by severe weather events
Floods and forest fires can lead to the evacuation of entire communities for extended periods. The fear, anxiety and stress caused by an extreme weather event can lead to an increase in family violence, depression, anxiety and other social and mental health problems. Children are especially susceptible because these conditions are very disruptive to their normal routines. Seek professional counseling and support from friends and family if the stress becomes overwhelming.
The water supply can become contaminated from storm water run-off or flooding.
Toxic pesticides, fertilizers, residues of gasoline and oil or industrial chemicals can be swept into the water supply during very heavy rains and floods. The pools of water left by heavy rains and floods may become a breeding ground for insects and micro-organisms. Flooding and heavy rains can wash farm manure into the water supply leading to outbreaks of E. coli infection. In rural areas, human waste from septic tanks or outhouses can be washed into groundwater or wells. In urban areas sewage treatment facilities may not be able to cope with the water volume allowing untreated sewage to enter into lakes and rivers. Avoid swimming in these water bodies after heavy rains.
CHILDREN are at greatest risk!
Children are the least able to cope with the trauma and dangers of extreme weather events.
What can YOU do to fight climate change?
All Canadians contribute to greenhouse gas emissions - every time we do anything that uses energy. In fact, the actions of individual Canadians account for 28 percent of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions - that's almost 5 tons per person per year!
Cut back your use of energy
Get Active!
Take your concern about climate change to your Member of Parliament, MPP and local politicians. Tell your elected officials and utilities operators that you support efficient and environmentally friendly sources of energy. Use your consumer power to support new, green technologies.
Get Informed!
For more information about climate change and what you can do, visit the Government of Canada climate change website at www.climatechange.gc.ca or call 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232).
____________________________________________ This
publications does not necessarily represent
Funding
provided by the Government of Canada
back to Climate Change and Your Child's Health
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