Speaking up for change

Read about what we’re doing about this serious threat to lung health.

CLA’s advocacy and government relations work

High-traffic roadways are associated with a higher risk of exposure to TRAP

1,200 premature deaths

each year are connected to TRAP, according to Health Canada. Also:

  • 210,000 asthma symptom days
  • 2.7 million acute respiratory symptom days

4 in 10 Canadians

live within 250m of a high-traffic roadway. They are at greater risk of adverse health effects from TRAP.

6.4 times more likely

Canadians in the lowest income quintile are 6.4 times more likely to live within 250m of a high-traffic roadway than Canadians in the highest income quintile.

Children are particularly vulnerable to TRAP, especially diesel exhaust.

48% of schools in Canada are located within 200m of a high-traffic roadway.

2.2 million Canadian children travel on school buses every day — 70% of these buses are diesel fueled.

What’s so bad about diesel exhaust?

The primary components of diesel particulate matter include elemental carbon, organic compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), sulfate, nitrate and many other trace metals.

Most diesel exhaust particles are tiny enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs.

Health Canada estimates that each year, on-road diesel emissions are responsible for:

  • 490,000 restricted activity days
  • 880,000 acute respiratory symptom days
  • 62,000 asthma symptom days
  • 1,500 childhood bronchitis episodes

Exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked to serious health issues

Interested in zero-emission medium- or heavy-duty vehicles?

See Clean Energy Canada’s Canadian Model Availability Catalogue