 Atmosphere
Report
Executive Summary
The Region of Peel State of the Environment: Atmosphere Report is the first
in a series of state of the environment reports to be prepared by the Region
of Peel. This report provides indicators of air quality in Peel Region and
addresses the potential impacts of individual pollutants on human health and
the natural environment.
Air pollutants presented in this report are categorized as being particulate,
gaseous, or noise pollution. Concentrations of particulate and gaseous pollutants
are presented for the base year 1991 and for a ten year period from 1982 to
1991. Concentrations of pollutants are compared to provincial air quality
criteria to determine if concentrations may adversely impact human health
or the environment. In the case of noise pollution, estimated vehicle and
aircraft noise are presented and aircraft noise related complaints are examined.
In addition to the individual pollutants, this report also examines vehicle
emissions in Peel Region. Motor vehicle emissions, which are considered one
of the largest contributors of air pollution in the Greater Toronto Area,
are presented for the major roads in Peel during the morning rush hour.
[Air Quality Index] [Particulate
Pollution] [Gaseous Pollution] [Vehicle
Emissions] [Noise Pollution] [Conclusion]
Air Quality Index
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MOEE) Air Quality Index
(AQI) system is a real-time information program that provides the public with
an indication of air quality at 34 sites in 27 major cities across Ontario.
The AQI is derived from calculations of air pollutant concentrations and categorized
into 5 levels of severity ranging from Poor to Very Good. The AQI for Peel
Region in 1991 was in the Very Good Range approximately 90% of the time. Less
than 1% of the time, the AQI in Peel was at a Moderate Level. Ground-level
ozone and suspended particles were the cause of the Moderate air quality readings.
Poor air quality has not been recorded in Peel since 1989.
[top]
Particulate Pollution
Particulate emissions in Peel are released predominantly from the industrial,
residential, and electric utility sectors. The highest levels of particulate
pollution occur in close proximity to their respective sources. This section
of the report examines concentrations of fluoride, lead, total suspended particulate,
and total dustfall in Peel. All of the particulate pollutants examined in
this report exceeded the MOEE 24 hour criteria at least once.
Concentrations of fluoride pollutants are recorded at 13 air monitoring stations
in Peel. Average fluoride concentrations in Peel exceeded the MOEE monthly
criteria 50% of the time in 1991. Two air monitoring stations were responsible
for the higher Regional levels in 1991. These two stations frequently record
the highest fluoride concentrations in Ontario.
Airborne lead particles are monitored at 5 locations in Peel. Three of these
stations, located on Dixie Road in Mississauga, accounted for three of the
five stations in Ontario to exceed the 24 hour criteria for lead. The 30 day
ambient air quality criterion for lead was not exceeded in Peel during 1991,
however, the highest annual mean concentration in Ontario was recorded on
Dixie Road. Studies of children in the vicinity of the Dixie Road stations
found blood lead levels to to be well below the recommended maximum concentration.
Total suspended particulate was recorded at five air monitoring stations
in Peel. Average annual 1991 concentrations in Peel were below the Ontario
annual criterion at all five stations, however, each recorded concentrations
above the 24 hour criterion at least once. The air monitoring stations located
on Dixie Road frequently exceeded the 24 hour criterion.
Twenty air monitoring stations measured total dustfall concentrations in
Peel during 1991. Only three of the twenty stations exceeded the Ontario annual
criteria. Two of the three stations are located adjacent to the Lakeview Generating
Station. Concentrations of total dustfall at these stations are among the
highest in Ontario. The third monitoring station to exceed the annual criteria
is located in southwest Mississauga.
Trend
Particulate pollution in Peel improved significantly between 1982 and 1991.
Average annual concentrations of all particulates examined in this section
decreased during this ten year period. Lead, which displayed the greatest
decrease of all particulates examined in this report, declined by approximately
95% in Peel between 1982 and 1992.
[top]
Gaseous Pollution
Ground-level ozone concentrations in Peel exceeded the one hour provincial
criteria 31 times in 1991. In comparison to other regions of Ontario, average
annual concentrations in Peel were below the provincial and the Greater Toronto
Area average. Ground-level ozone was the pollutant responsible for 31 of the
total 59 hours that the AQI was at a Moderate level in Peel. High concentrations
in Peel and southern Ontario are related to local motor vehicle travel and
the long range transport of pollutants from the U.S. mid west. Ground-level
ozone concentrations above the Ontario one hour criteria may impair normal
function of the lungs especially to those with respiratory diseases.
Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide were below their respective
Ontario criterion in 1991. The primary source of these gaseous pollutants
in Peel is the electric utility sector. Since concentrations remained below
provincial standards, there was no risk to human health or the natural environment
in Peel.
Approximately 84% of the carbon monoxide emissions in Peel are released from
motor vehicles. Carbon monoxide concentrations in Peel did not exceed the
Ontario criterion in 1991. Although 1991 concentrations were below provincial
standards and therefore not a risk to human health, average levels in the
Region were the second highest recorded in Ontario.
Trend
Nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide concentrations decreased
in Peel between 1982 and 1992. Increasing levels of ground-level ozone in
Peel during this time period is associated with local vehicle emissions; the
long range transport of pollutants from the U.S; and warm summer temperatures.
[top]
Vehicle Emissions
Motor vehicles are recognized as one of the most significant contributors
to air pollution in Peel Region. The MOEE estimates that motor vehicle travel
produces approximately 29% of Peel's total nitrogen dioxide emissions, 84%
of the total carbon monoxide emissions, 26% of the total volatile organic
compound emissions, and 19% of the total particulate pollution in Peel. Although
the automobile is the least energy efficient form of transportation and the
most polluting, total daily trips by motor vehicles continue to increase in
Peel. During the a.m. peak hour (7:30-8:30) the highest vehicle emissions
in Peel occur south of Lester B. Pearson International Airport on Highway
401, and along the QEW in south east Mississauga.
[top]
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is simply defined as an unwanted sound. The most recognizable
sources of noise pollution in Peel Region are produced from vehicle and aircraft
travel. In this section, aircraft noise complaints received by Lester B. Pearson
International Airport (LBPIA) are plotted for Peel Region. In 1992, Peel residents
registered 2,053 noise complaints with LBPIA. The greatest proportion of the
complaints originated in Mississauga south of LBPIA between Highway 10 and
the Etobicoke border, and west of the Credit River north of Highway 403.
[top]
Conclusion
Indicators presented in this report
suggest that air quality in Peel is very good and improving.
While air pollution is generally on the decline, local
sources of particulate pollutants and ground-level ozone
continue to exceed provincial air quality standards.
Future reports will measure progress in reducing these
two air quality concerns and determine if air quality
continues to improve in Peel.
[top]
Revised:
Thursday July 26 2007
www.peelregion.ca
| 