Illness Costs of Air Pollution (ICAP) 2005
Report Highlights
- In 2005, approximately 5,800 premature deaths will be associated with
exposure to air pollution in Ontario - could climb to 10,000 premature
deaths by 2026.
- In 2005, the number of Ontarians admitted to hospitals with health
problems related to air pollution exposure will be approximately 17,000
- expected to jump to over 24,000 by 2026.
- The number of emergency room visits for 2005 is estimated at almost
60,000 cases - approximately 88,000 by 2026.
Provincial Health Damages for Four Example Years
| |
Example Years
|
|
2000*
|
2005
|
2015
|
2026
|
| Premature Deaths |
1,925
|
5,829
|
7,436
|
10,061
|
| Hospital Admissions |
9,807
|
16,807
|
20,067
|
24,587
|
| Emergency Room Visits |
45,250
|
59,696
|
71,548
|
87,963
|
| Minor Illnesses |
46,445,663
|
29,292,100
|
31,962,200
|
38,549,300
|
- Combined healthcare and lost productivity costs in Ontario estimated
to reach almost a billion dollars for 2005 - could reach well over a
billion dollars by 2026.
Provincial Economic Damages for Three Example Years
| |
Example Years
|
|
2005
|
2015
|
2026
|
| Lost Productivity |
$374,342,400
|
$402,883,900
|
$466,508,500
|
| Healthcare Costs |
$506,612,700
|
$571,089,400
|
$701,988,500
|
| Pain and Suffering |
$536,546,600
|
$593,149,400
|
$718,341,300
|
| Loss of Life |
$6,391,700,000
|
$8,279,400,000
|
$11,027,400,000
|
| Total |
$7,809,201,700
|
$9,846,522,700
|
$12,914,238,300
|
* The estimate for 2000 is based on previous ICAP model, please see
page #6 of the ICAP 2005 report for explanation of new elements.
ICAP Quick Facts
What is ICAP?
- The ICAP (Illness Costs of Air Pollution) software model was first
developed by the OMA in 2000 to estimate the health effects and economic
costs of smog in Ontario. The model applies health risk coefficients
from recent epidemiological health studies to Ontario population statistics,
air pollution data and economic information. The model can now estimate
impacts for three age classes, six pollutants and a wide range of health
effects.
Why did the OMA undertake to introduce ICAP?
- Although it has been known for decades that smog can kill, detailed
health and economic data is essential for policy determinations. As
advocates for healthier air, the OMA wanted to respond to those who
suggested that reducing smog would cost too much by quantifying the
cost of smog's health burden.
What has changed in the ICAP model since 2000?
- Essentially all of the model inputs have been updated and new features
added. The most significant change is the addition of estimates of the
cumulative effect that air pollution has throughout an individual's
lifetime. This data on premature mortality due to chronic smog-related
illness significantly increases total smog-related deaths.
|