Tanya Talaga reports in today’s Toronto Star about research from London connecting traffic congestion, smog and its health effects. The report concludes that the closer you are to the source of pollution the higher the level of exposure:
The study found while commuting in a London taxi, people were exposed to more than 100,000 ultra-fine particles counts per cubic centimetre, while travelling in a bus meant an exposure of just less than 100,000 and walking resulted in less than 50,000 particles counts per cubic centimetre.
In a society that has finally banned smoking in public places due to the health effects of secondhand smoke – how long will it take to recognize the health effects of secondhand smog? It’s time to seriously consider alternatives to our fossil fuel mobility addiction.
