Health risks from acid rain: a Canadian perspective

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Atmospheric Chemistry

Background:

• Acidic deposition, or acid rain, causes significant environmental damage in eastern Canada.
• Economic sectors like forestry, tourism, and fishing, contributing 8% to GNP, are affected.
• The Long-Range Transport of Airborne Pollutants (LRTAP) program was initiated in 1980 to address these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reduce wet sulfate deposition to below 20 kg/ha/year to protect sensitive areas.
• To assess health risks associated with long-range transported airborne pollutants.
• To monitor the impact of abatement programs on health and water quality.

Main Methods:

• Two epidemiology studies in 1983 investigated acute and chronic exposure effects of transported air pollutants on children.
• Studies examined indirect effects of acid deposition on water quality, including lead and copper levels in plumbing systems.
• Analysis of preliminary data from health studies and water quality assessments.

Main Results:

• Preliminary health data do not indicate major adverse effects, pending final analysis.
• Acidified lake water in plumbing systems can exceed federal guidelines for copper and lead.
• Flushing plumbing systems effectively rectifies water quality issues caused by acidified lake water.

Conclusions:

• While preliminary health effects are not major, further analysis is required.
• Acidic deposition poses indirect risks to water quality, necessitating mitigation strategies.
• Ongoing research aims to fully understand the health impacts of acidified lake water.