An new report delivers a damning assessment of the ill-effects of pollution from Alberta oilsands projects.
The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature, says the oilsands are one of the largest sources of organic aerosol air pollution in North America.
Canadians are currently engaged in a heated debate about the future of the oilsands as well as the pipelines that carry crude to port from Alberta.
The report, co-authored by an employee of Environment Canada, fuels environmentalists’ long-held concerns about the oilsands, which help serve as bedrock of Canada’s economy.
The report, based on readings by National Resources Canada in August, 2013, found oilsands production generates 45 to 84 tonnes per day of the tiny particulate matter, similar to levels in Mexico City and Paris.
The study adds that secondary organic aerosol production has been found to cause lung and heart problems and other health effects.
It says those effects should be taken into consideration when assessing the environmental impact of current and future oilsands development.
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