VANCOUVER - A University of B.C. study claims pollution is killing 25,000 Canadians a year and costing the health care system more than $9 billion.
Study co-author David Boyd said Canadians are awash in toxic chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals, flame retardants and air pollution.
The study, published this week in the online journal Environmental Research, says in addition to the deaths, the pollution causes 24,000 new cases of cancer and 2,500 low birthweight babies in Canada each year.
"In our cultural DNA, we think of Canada as a pristine nation, but this is at odds with our track record on the environment," Boyd said in a news release.
He said Canada's environmental record ranks around 28th in the 30-country Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development.
"When faced with a choice between protecting the environment or polluting industries, we continue to protect industries."
Boyd and co-author of the paper Dr. Stephen Genuis of the University of Alberta used recent public health data to calculate Canada's environmental burden of disease, the morbidity and mortality caused by exposure to environmental hazards.
Their research focused on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer and congenital problems.
"We focused on these diseases because there is strong evidence connecting them to environmental contaminants," Boyd said.
He believes Canada should develop a national environmental strategy, including tougher standards for air and water quality, food and consumer products.
Among the sources used for the data are the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Statistics Canada, Health Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
