NEWS RELEASE
May 12, 2011

IJC invites public comment on air pollution crossing Canada-United States border

The International Joint Commission (IJC) invites public comment on progress to reduce the impacts of transboundary air pollution under the 1991 Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement. Achievements in both countries to meet Agreement goals are described in the Air Quality Agreement Progress Report 2010

Emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x), the primary precursors of acid rain, have been reduced in both countries to below Agreement commitments. SO₂ emissions in both countries are approximately half what they were when the Agreement was signed 1991, largely due to reductions in the eastern half of the continent where emissions are highest. While some damaged ecosystems are recovering, further efforts are needed to restore these ecosystems to their pre-acidified conditions. The largest sources of SO₂ emissions include electric power plants, non-ferrous smelting operations and petroleum extraction. A major U.S. review discussed in the 2010 Progress Report documents the relationship between SO₂ exposure and human health effects, such as asthma and hospital admissions for all respiratory causes.

Commitments by both countries to address ground-level ozone, a key component of smog, have also been met. The commitments in the Ozone Annex relate to reducing emissions of NO_x and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a Pollutant Emission Management Area, where transboundary ozone reductions are most critical. Since the annex was adopted in 2000, emissions of NO_x have been reduced by approximately one-third in this area. The largest sources include motor vehicles (NO_x and VOCs), electric power plants (_x) and a variety of solvent uses (VOCs). Ground-level ozone is associated with a variety of ecosystem and human health impacts.

The 2010 Progress Report describes activities in both countries related to commitments for scientific and technical cooperation. These include monitoring, modeling, mapping, emission inventories, human health research, assessment of ecosystem impacts, and consultation and notification regarding potential new sources of transboundary air pollution.

Under the Agreement, the IJC invites public comment on each progress report and provides a synthesis of comments to the Governments of Canada and the United States to assist them with implementing the Agreement. Written comments should be sent by September 9, 2011 to either address below:

More information, including a schedule of the public meetings, will be provided online at ijc.org/rel/air-quality-agreement/.

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