Toronto Board of Health Examines Cancer, Heart Disease Risks of Billy Bishop Jets Near Communities

At its July meeting, the Toronto Board of Health called for a comprehensive assessment of the potential health impacts of expanding operations at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, including the introduction of commercial jets near densely populated waterfront communities. The discussion, chaired by Toronto Centre Councillor Chris Moise, heard from health experts, residents, academics and community advocates who raised concerns about ultrafine particles, aircraft noise, traffic and other potential impacts linked to increased airport activity. University of Toronto professor Greg Evans, who helped lead an air quality study in the Bathurst Quay neighbourhood, said measurements showed aircraft-related pollution affecting nearby communities. “Billy Bishop's already impacting air quality,” Evans told the board. “If we increase the flight activity, it's going to increase exposure along the waterfront for all the communities along the waterfront.” Dr. Milly Roy of the University of Toronto said ultrafine particles and other pollutants have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer and other health concerns. She called for a new health impact assessment, noting that significant research has emerged since the city’s previous 2013 review. MPP Chris Glover also urged the board to move quickly, saying the Toronto Public Health study could become one of the only independent assessments of the expansion’s health impacts. “The report that the Board of Health provides or that Toronto Public Health provides may be the only health impact study that the people of Toronto get,” Glover said. The board’s motion calls for any proposal to expand Billy Bishop operations to undergo a comprehensive assessment of potential impacts, including increased noise, traffic and air pollution from ultrafine particles. For waterfront residents and communities across Toronto, the discussion highlighted the importance of understanding the long-term health consequences before major changes to airport operations move forward. #regentpark #rptv #toronto To translate this video into another language: Click CC at the bottom right Click the gear icon to its right Click Subtitles/CC Click Auto-translate / Select the language you want Follow us on Twitter ►   / regentparkfocus   Like us on Facebook ►   / regentparktv   Like us on Instagram ►   / regentparkfocus   FOCUS Media Arts Centre ► https://www.focusmediaarts.ca