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12-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, August 12, 2003 Ail people vuinerable to dangers of smog: MOE By JULIE SACCONE Special to The Champion 4< 4 loca nionmental hat and provincial medical experts are caution- ing sun enthusiasts Io beware of the dan- gers of smog. Smog, a mixture of pollutants caused mainly by human activity such as automo- bile emissions, coal-buming power plants and other heavy industries, is responsible for 1,800 premature deaths in Ontario each year, according to the I-lton Region Health Depariment. Smog can also be traced to emissions that drift across Ontario on the prevailing winds from sources as far away as the United States. The Ministry of the Environment (MOF) estimates during Utîato sgtoutl . scIozone and fine par- ticulate matter - wo key components of smog - come from the US. Ground-level ozone, unlike the stratos- pheric ozone layer that proteets us from the suns harmful rays, is a gas toxie to the res- piratoty systcm and is formed when nitro- gen oxides and volatile organie com- pounds react in the presence of sunlight. Finc particulate matter are tiny specks of either liquid or solid particles suspended in air, mainly composed of soot and acids that cao lodge deep in the lungs. Health effeets of smog include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, reduced Jung capacity and tightness in the chest. Numerotîs medical sîd' ak tiwso pie ,tleîcd by .îstlîa nd .tsiWOtsens the condition of people with asthma, bronchi- tis, emphysemna and heart disease. Dr. Larry Erlick. president of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), stresses even healthy individuals are vulnerable to smog-related ilînesses. "Theres no question, long-term repeated exposure to smog, even in healthy people leads to a high incidence of heart and lung disease, asthma (and) obstructive iung dis- order." He adds, "The group most affecied, mosî severely, during an acute episode would be *see 55 on page 13 File photo by GRAHAM FAINE Something as simple as an idling car can cause smog levels to increase. Here, imagine how a traffic jam like this one on Hwy. 401 in Milton can affect the environment. One way the average citizen can help reduce smog is by turn- ing the car off instead of idling. ldling for more than 10 seconds is said to use more fuel than actually restarting the engine. SCOUTS CANADA Milton and Campbellville Scouting Registration for 2003-2004 Thursday, August 14, 6:3Opm to 8:3Opm Milton Mal New and returning youth members register now for the unique and exciting Scouting experience. Programts run front September to May. For boys and girls ages 5-17 Aduit Leader Volunteers Welcome iI ~ I I 5< I For information 905478 5862 www cer.scouts.ca 4 Si 1 - p