Extreme Air Pollution

Environment Canada statistics show, with the exception of ground-level ozone, a leveling off or slight decrease in air pollution within the Region when comparing studies performed in 1980 - 1984 and 1990 - 1995. Ozone levels over the same period of time show an upward trend in average days per year with ozone levels greater than 80 parts per billion (ppb). The Ministry of the Environment's figures differ slightly but still show an upward trend. Ground level ozone is a major component of air pollution, in that it causes difficulty in breathing, particularly in vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or those with respiratory illnesses.