TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES
AND OTHER COMMITTEES
As Considered by
The Council of the City of Toronto
on June 3, 4 and 5, 1998
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT No. 8
1Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan - Status Report
City of Toronto
REPORT No. 8
OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
(from its meeting on May 12, 1998,
submitted by Councillor John Filion, Chair)
As Considered by
The Council of the City of Toronto
on June 3, 4 and 5, 1998
1
Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan - Status Report
(City Council on June 3, 4 and 5, 1998, adopted the following recommendations:
"It is recommended that:
(a)the report dated May 28, 1998, from the Medical Officer of Health, entitled 'Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan -
1998 Implementation Plan', embodying the following recommendations, be adopted:
'It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Phase 1 of the Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan, presented in this report, for
implementation in 1998;
(2)City Council receive the Phase 2 initiatives for information and that staff review and report back in further detail on
these initiatives;
(3)the corporate and divisional smog alert activities for 1999 and beyond be considered during the 1999 budget process;
and
(4)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.';
(b)prior to implementation of the notification procedure, the Medical Officer of Health be requested to:
(1)develop a clear and concise document for informing City of Toronto employees and users of City of Toronto services
about which activities they should avoid during a smog alert due to the increased negative health impacts, such document
to be directed, in particular, to those most at risk during a smog alert, i.e. those suffering from asthma and/or emphysema;
and
(2)develop and implement a plan for informing the public, in particular those who are at risk during a smog alert, i.e.
those with asthma and/or emphysema:
(a)that they may be at risk; and
(b)about activities which they should avoid, such as strenuous outdoor activities; and
(c)the Chief Administrative Officer be requested to submit a report to Council, through the appropriate Standing
Committee, on any operational difficulties that may arise.")
The Board of Health reports having endorsed the direction of the implementation plan as outlined in the report
(May 11, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health and submits this report to City Council for information.
The Board of Health reports, for the information of Council, having:
(1)forwarded this report to the Environmental Task Force for their information; and
(2)requested the Medical Officer of Health to report directly to City Council at its meeting on June 3, 1998 with a detailed
implementation plan.
The Board of Health submits the following report (May 11, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health:
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the implementation of a Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan for the
summer of 1998. The changes in operations and activities identified for implementation this summer represent the first
phase of a multi-year process that will incrementally expand the corporate response to smog alert episodes in following
years.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The financial and resource implications of implementing a Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan will be addressed in the
June 3/4, 1998 final report to City Council.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)The Board of Health endorse the direction of the implementation plan as outlined in this status report;
(2)this report be forwarded to the Environmental Task Force for their information; and
(3)the Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to report directly to City Council at its meeting of June 3/4,
1998 with a detailed implementation plan.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At their meetings on April 21, 1998 and April 8, 1998 respectively, the Board of Health and the Environmental Task Force
endorsed the recommendations of the Medical Officer of Health (March27, 1998) regarding the development of a
Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan. The report from the Medical Officer of Health outlined the key elements of a
corporate smog alert response plan, and a process for implementation during the summer of 1998.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
A smog alert response plan is one way in which the corporation can make a direct contribution to environmental health
during episodes of poor air quality. It is an important component of any broader initiative that aims to prevent air
pollution.
With municipal amalgamation, existing smog reduction practices and plans adopted by former Toronto-area municipalities
need to be merged into a comprehensive plan for the new City of Toronto. This report provides an update on the process
underway to develop and implement a corporate response to poor air quality episodes this summer. A more detailed
implementation plan will be reported to City Council at its meeting on June 3/4, 1998.
The Medical Officer of Health established a corporate work group (see attached) to develop the Corporate Smog Alert
Response Plan, bringing together functional leads for:
Cprogram areas which have the ability to contribute to the City's efforts to improve air quality on smog alert days by
suspending or modifying their activities and operations;
Cprogram areas which provide services to client groups considered particularly vulnerable to poor air quality, for example,
children's services, homes for the aged, ambulance services;
Cprogram areas which have expertise in implementing and communicating corporate change strategies, including Healthy
City Office and Corporate Communications.
The following is a summary of the status of the work related to each of the key components in the corporate smog alert
response plan:
(a)Notification procedure - The Medical Officer of Health will notify the program areas as soon as possible after receiving
notification by the Ministry of Environment/Environment Canada of a smog alert forecast. Program areas will notify their
staff that a smog alert is in effect, and request that smog alert response plans be activated.
(b)Program area response plans - Program areas are committed to implementing the Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan
this summer. Draft action plans have been prepared by program areas and reviewed by the work group. These action plans
reflect an incremental approach to implementation, specifying modifications to operations which are feasible this summer.
In developing action plans, program areas have taken into consideration the human resource, service and financial
implications of modifying operations.
(c)Short and long term evaluation mechanism - This tool will be developed to examine the effectiveness of the smog alert
response plan.
(d)Communication/Awareness plan - Corporate Communications has developed a communications plan to facilitate the
implementation of the 1998 smog alert response plan. The communication objectives are to:
Ccreate awareness of how smog is formed and its adverse impact on health;
Ceducate city residents and staff about what they can do to reduce smog, and how they can protect their health on smog
days;
Ccreate general awareness about the Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan;
Cmotivate staff to implement departmental operational protocols on Smog Alert Days.
The communications plan will consist of two inter-related strategies: a) general awareness campaign and b) an
action-oriented smog alert information campaign. These strategies will include outreach to staff and the community.
Conclusions:
The Medical Officer of Health has initiated a process to develop a Corporate smog Alert Response Plan, in collaboration
with functional leads from a broad range of program areas, for implementation this summer and beyond. Program areas are
concerned about the adverse impacts of poor air quality on our health and the environment and are committed to taking
action this summer. A more detailed description of the 1998 implementation plan, including program area action plans,
will be submitted to the June 3/4, 1998 meeting of City Council.
Contact Name:
Franca Ursitti
Research Consultant, Environmental Protection Office
Tel: 392-6788
Fax: 392-7418
fursitti@city.toronto.on.ca
--------
List of Program Areas, Agencies and Corporations Represented on the Corporate Work Group
Childrens Services
Corporate Communications
Corporate Services - Energy & Waste Management
Corporate Services - Procurement
Healthy City Office
Homes for the Aged
Housing
Parks and Recreation
Public Health
Works - Fleet
Works - Road Operations, Transportation
Works - Sanitation
Works - Water and Waste Water
Toronto Ambulance
Toronto District Heating Corporation
Toronto Fire
Toronto Police
Toronto Region Conservation Authority
Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto Zoo
(City Council on June 3, 4 and 5, 1998, had before it, during consideration of the foregoing Clause, the following report
(May 28, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health:
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to present the details of a smog alert response implementation plan for 1998. The changes in
corporate operations and activities identified for implementation this summer represent the first phase of a multi-year
process. The intention is to incrementally expand this plan in following years.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The operating division response plans recommended for Phase 1 in 1998 have been developed within the context of
minimal financial, service and labour impacts.
The estimated financial impacts of implementing activities outlined in Phase 2 for 1999 and beyond range from
$111,000.00 to $269,000.00 per smog alert day. This cost will be offset by an energy savings of approximately $20,000.00
per cooling season. In the long term, the proposal to use lake water for cooling buildings in the downtown area is
expected to result in $2,000,000.00 savings.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)City Council approve Phase 1 of the Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan, presented in this report, for
implementation in 1998;
(2)City Council receive the Phase 2 initiatives for information and that staff review and report back in further detail on
these initiatives;
(3)the corporate and divisional smog alert activities for 1999 and beyond be considered during the 1999 budget process;
and
(4)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
On May 13, 1998, City Council unanimously adopted a motion regarding the City's response to smog. This motion was
previously endorsed by the Environmental Task Force on April 8, 1998. By adopting the motion, City Council passed a
broad range of recommendations to address smog based on the 1997 decisions of the former City of Toronto and the
former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto.
One of the major interventions adopted by City Council is the development of a Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan. The
detailed recommendations adopted by City Council related to the Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan are included in
Appendix 1. The Medical Officer of Health was requested to report back on a Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan that
will take effect when an Air Quality Advisory is issued by the Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada. The
Medical Officer of Health reported to the Board of Health and the Environmental Task Force at their meetings of April
21, 1998 and April 8, 1998, respectively regarding the development of a Corporate Smog Alert response Plan. The reports
identified the key elements of a corporate smog alert response plan and a process for implementation during the summer
of 1998. At its meeting of May 12, 1998, the Board of Health received an update on the proposed plan and directed the
Medical Officer of Health to report to City Council at its meeting of June 3 and 4, 1998 with a detailed implementation
plan.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Each summer Toronto experiences episodes of poor air quality. As part of its ongoing effort to assess air quality in the
City, Toronto Public Health previously examined the levels and sources of the pollutants present in Toronto's air and
concluded that poor air quality was related to adverse health impacts. Consistent with these findings, a recent review of
medical research by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) concluded that ground-level ozone, acid aerosols and
particulates in the air in the Great Lakes Basin cause illness and premature death in both urban and rural communities. A
study of Ontario hospitals, including those in the Toronto area, has shown that admissions due to respiratory illness
increased by 6 percent overall during summer months, when levels of pollutants such as ground-level ozone are elevated.
The admission rate in children increased by 15 percent.
Although early in the season, Toronto has already experienced an episode of poor air quality this season that prompted
the issuance of an Air Quality Advisory. According to preliminary data collected by the Ministry of Environment, levels of
ground level ozone exceeded the air quality criterion of 80 ppb and reached levels as high as 136 ppb on May 15, 1998. In
past summers, the number of poor air quality episodes experienced in Toronto has ranged from as few as one to as many
as six per summer due to a combination of emissions and weather-related factors such as temperature and wind patterns.
Each advisory typically lasts one to three days.
The implementation of Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan in 1998 is one way in which the Corporation can make a
direct contribution to environmental health during episodes of poor air quality. It is an important component of any
broader initiative that aims to reduce air pollution.
The Medical Officer of Health has established a corporate work group to develop the Corporate Smog Alert Response
Plan. The 1998 Plan was developed as a 'reasonable next step' in the curtailment of City activities to protect
environmental health, on the understanding that additional steps would be taken in 1999 and beyond. The specific
commitments of each operating division in 1998 have been made within the context of:
(a)maximizing emissions reductions;
(b)minimizing the impacts on service delivery to the public, and;
(c)minimizing financial implications, particularly as they relate to employee obligations, external contractual obligations
and maintenance of capital investments/assets.
(1)Notification.
The Air Quality Advisory is a program of the Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Environment Canada. These agencies
advise the media, public and various public officials, including the Medical Officer of Health (MOH), when the Air
Quality Index exceeds 50 due to ground level ozone. Notice of a predicted Air Quality Advisory is provided by the MOE
the day before it will occur. In the proposed Corporate Smog Alert Response Plan, operating divisions will be alerted by
the MOH as soon as notification is received. Each division will be responsible for implementing their response plans and
circulating materials about smog alerts to employees and clients. Once an alert has been called off, the MOH will notify
all divisions.
(2)Operating Division Response Plans.
The specific measures adopted by City Council (May 13, 1998) for implementation in the Corporate Smog Alert Response
Plan include:
-the suspension of the nonessential use of vehicles;
-the suspension of the use of oil-based paints, solvents, cleaners and other products that release volatile organic
compounds (VOCs);
-the suspension of the use of gas powered equipment (lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc.);
-he suspension of pesticide spraying;
-he suspension street sweeping activities, at least until after dark;
-he suspension of refuelling, at least until after dark;
-the suspension of all asphalt paving (road resurfacing), and;
-turning down air conditioning units in municipal offices and allowing staff to dress casually.
Further measures adopted by City Council that require further technical and budgetary analysis include:
-the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services examining the possibility of reducing the amount of incineration at
the Main Treatment Plant, specifically on smog alert days; and;
-the Chief Administrative Officer considering the investigation of roads closures during smog alert days for the summer
of 1998, and working with the TTC and GO Transit to develop contingency transportation plans (embodied in a
submission dated June 16, 1997 from the Toronto Environmental Alliance, entitled "An Action Plan for Metro Toronto").
The investigation of road closures on smog alert days refers to closure of specific city roads to vehicle traffic. This
measure needs to be evaluated in terms of its potential impact on surrounding roads and the local communities. Road
closures during a smog alert require thorough review, therefore, this measure is not considered in the Phase 1 initiatives
for 1998.
City Council also passed a recommendation that will request Ontario Hydro to adopt emergency measures which would
provide for the reduction of power generation at the Lakeview Generating Station during smog alert days.
PHASE 1 - Summer of 1998:
The activities and operations adopted by City Council have been assessed by City staff for implementation feasibility in
1998. The proposed action plans outlined below represent specific measures that can be implemented during smog alert
days in 1998 with minimal financial, service delivery or labour impacts.
General Measures - Applicable to all Operating Divisions.
All operating divisions have committed to suspend the use of motorized vehicles and equipment when it can be practically
postponed without significant impact on service delivery or public health and safety. In addition, the work of the
Corporate Green Fleets Committee, a committee exploring an accelerated program to replace vehicles and equipment
with less polluting and more energy efficient models, will be instrumental in long-term minimization of corporate
emissions of smog-related pollutants.
Suggestions related to changes in employee activities and to the reduction in energy consumption include, where possible:
-encouraging telecommuting;
-encouraging the use of public transit;
-encouraging use of microwave ovens rather than convection ovens or barbeques;
-adopting a casual dress policy so that less energy for air conditioning would be required; and
-suspending lawn watering on City Property except where permanent damage to municipal assets could result.
Specific Divisional Response Plans:
The following is a summary of the specific divisional plans for smog alert days.
Toronto Zoo:
The Toronto Zoo has committed to:
-suspend pesticide spraying;
-postpone the non-essential use of vehicles on and off-site for deliveries and errands;
-suspend the use of oil-based paints, solvents and cleaners unless needed for disinfection;
-suspend the use of horticulture equipment and sweepers except where required for public or animal health and safety;
-postpone non-emergency veterinary surgeries requiring anesthetic gases;
-refuel essential vehicles the day before the alert or after dark;
-reschedule testing of emergency generators; and
-postpone washing of vehicles and filters.
The Toronto Zoo has indicated that minimal services delivery impacts are expected for an alert that lasts one to two days
and staff will be reassigned to alternative work. Longer alerts may result in missing deadlines for special events, and
delays in servicing vehicles.
Transportation Services:
Transportation Services has committed to:
-suspend the use of oil-based products;
-suspend pesticide spraying;
-suspend street-sweeping on expressways;
-ensure that there is no idling of vehicles;
-minimize supervisory and mail-run activities;
-refuel vehicles after hours; and
-use the message signs on the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) and the FG Gardiner Expressway (FGG) to notify motorists of
an alert.
Transportation Services has indicated that minimal cost implications are associated with the committed actions. Staff can
be reassigned for a maximum of two days without major implications on service delivery. Some overtime may be required
to refuel after hours.
Parks and Recreation:
Parks and Recreation has agreed to:
-suspend the outdoor use of oil-based paints, solvents and cleaners;
-suspend the routine use of two cycle weed trimmers and leaf blowers;
-suspend the use of outdoor pesticides unless conditions threatening municipal assets require immediate response;
-suspend sweeping of recreational trails unless public health and safety is compromised;
-encourage staff to refuel all mobile equipment in early morning or evening hours;
-suspend any non-essential use of vehicles while maintaining core operations; and
-acquire and test prototype four cycles weed trimmers.
Parks and Recreation has indicated that painting of outdoor pools would need to continue to ensure that the pools can
open on schedule. Therefore, suspension of painting before June 15 is not feasible.
Corporate Fleet Services:
Corporate Fleet Services has committed to:
-suspend the non-essential use of vehicles;
-suspend the use of oil-based paints (i.e., suspend spray booth use);
-suspend the use of gas-powered equipment, where possible;
-suspend the use of solvents and cleaners, where possible;
-where the use of gas-powered vehicles and equipment is essential, those units that are alternately fuelled will be used
first (i.e., natural gas); and
-refuel after hours.
Corporate Fleet Services has indicated that minimal impact to operations is anticipated where an alert lasts for one to
two days. Prolonged alerts may result in delays in returning equipment to users and additional wear and tear due to a
corresponding post-alert increase in equipment use.
Solid Waste Management Services:
Currently, Solid Waste Management Services conduct a portion of their refuelling after hours for the vehicles servicing
the Toronto, East York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough Community Council areas. Some overtime cost may be incurred in
order to refuel after dark where this is not currently normal practice. Reduced garbage collection service from twice a
week to once a week between 1991 and 1993 decreased the collection routes by 150 in Toronto, East York, Etobicoke and
Scarborough Community Council areas, resulting in decreased collection costs. The introduction of a computerized route
design system will further reduce the number of collection routes.
Water and Waste Water Services:
Water and Waste Water Services has committed to:
-minimize vehicle idling;
-suspend unnecessary trips by gasoline or diesel powered vehicles;
-suspend lawn cutting and leaf blowing by city staff on departmental property;
-substitute oil-based paints with water-based alternatives; and
-refuel the day before the alert.
In the interest of reducing the energy use associated with water use, air conditioning and lighting, this program area will
suspend lawn watering on City property, promote water efficiency in the community, continue with energy retrofits, and
avoid unnecessary electricity use.
Facilities and Real Estate:
Facilities and Real Estate has committed to:
-suspend the use of oil-based paints, solvents and cleaners;
-turning down air conditioning units in municipal offices; and
-allow staff to dress casually.
Facilities and Real Estate has indicated that energy efficiency improvement projects will continue and will result in
financial savings. The cost savings resulting from a two degree increase in the air conditioning temperature in some
municipal buildings is approximately $20,000.00 (equivalent to 340tonnes of carbon dioxide) for a typical cooling season.
The provision that allows staff to dress casually may offset the potential for staff to experience discomfort associated with
higher indoor temperatures.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC):
The TTC has indicated that most of their refuelling takes place at night. The TTC continues to advocate to the Federal
Government for conversion of employer-provided transit passes to a non-taxable benefit.
PHASE 2 - beyond 1998
The following are estimates of the financial impacts associated with fully implementing the activities adopted by City
Council beyond what is outlined in Phase 1. The development of future strategies will explore actions the City,
communities and businesses can take in order to avert a smog alert when the Air Quality Index indicates a deterioration
in air quality.
Transportation Services:
Suspending asphalt paving (road resurfacing) activities would result in major financial, safety and service level impacts
including:
-sending staff home after the work area has been secured;
-reimbursing contractors for lost production;
-disruption to road users; and
-longer road restrictions which would increase traffic delays and may increase air levels of pollutants from localized
emissions.
Transportation Services has estimated that the cost for suspension of all asphalt paving (road resurfacing) ranges from
$50,000.00 to $200,000.00 per smog alert day. This estimate depends upon several variables such as:
-the amount of contractors' claims for suspension of work;
-number and size of asphalt paving activities at any given time;
-number of contracts;
-location of contracts; and
-sensitivity of contract completion to asphalt paving activity.
Major projects such as road work on the Don Valley Parkway and the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, cannot be suspended
given that their maintenance is limited to a certain number of weekends in the summer.
Suspending the use of gas powered equipment would result in major impacts. For each contract, contractors would need
to be reimbursed between $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 per day for lost production. There may not be other work for staff and
they would have to be sent home resulting in delays in project completion.
Given that much of the work of Transportation Services involves external contracts, the possibility of building smog alert
contingencies into future contracts will be examined and incorporated into the 1999 contracts.
Suspending street sweeping on roads other than expressways in the downtown could result in overtime costs, and noise
restrictions may restrict the ability to sweep after hours. The cost is estimated to be up to $3,000.00 per smog alert day.
Parks and Recreation:
In future, Parks and Recreation will request additional funding for tree planting and maintenance to assist in smog
reduction and pursue, in cooperation with Fleet Services, an accelerated capital replacement program for less polluting
vehicles and equipment.
Parks and Recreation has indicated that suspension of use of gas powered equipment would result in a major impact on
programs that will compromise the established maintenance program and possibly result in staff being sent home. The
operations which would be affected by discontinuing the use of gas powered equipment during smog alert days would be
grass cutting, tree trimming and related maintenance.
During smog alert episodes, Parks and Recreation would assign staff to alternate work which would not involve the use of
two cycle gas powered equipment. Such alternate work would likely require the transportation of staff and equipment in
vehicles to work locations across the city and would result in a loss of a minimum 60 percent productivity in affected
parks and forestry operations. Based on the estimated loss in productivity, a conservative estimate of the cost to parks and
forestry operations is approximately $56,000.00 per smog alert day.
Water and Waste Water Services:
In the long term, Water and Waste Water Services has agreed to:
-purchase fuel efficient vehicle alternatives, where cost-effective;
-contract with paint shops that use paint with lower content of volatile organic compounds;
-encourage residents not to use pesticides and to promote water efficiency;
-demonstrate the beneficial use of biosolids as an alternative to incineration;
-plant shade trees; and
-optimize water supply system operation.
Reducing the consumption of electrical energy in Water and Waste Water will result in cost savings and reduce
smog-related emissions associated with the generation of electricity at the Lakeview Generating Station and other
generating stations operated by Ontario Hydro.
Works and Emergency Services are working with the Toronto District Heating Corporation on a proposal to substitute
lake water cooling for conventional electrical cooling for buildings in the downtown area. The water cooling project is
expected to reduce electricity use for building cooling by over $2,000,000.00 per year, saving at least 30,000 tonnes of
carbon dioxide emissions. This initiative will also reduce the load on the Lakeview Generating Station.
(3)Communications Plan:
Educational materials outlining the possible health effects of smog and suggestions on how to minimize these effects
during an alert are being prepared as part of a general awareness campaign. Materials are also being prepared for
employees that will advise them how to modify work activities during an alert. The development of future strategies that
explore actions the City, communities and businesses can take in order to avert a smog alert when the Air Quality Index
indicates a deterioration in air quality will be incorporated in the educational materials.
In addition, the City of Toronto provides a range of services to a number of vulnerable client groups including children,
seniors and homeless. Homes for the Aged, Children's Services and Public Health can ensure that the risk of adverse
health effects are minimized during smog alerts by encouraging activities that reduce exposure to smog.
Conclusions:
Air quality in Toronto has adverse impacts on health, particularly on smog alert days when air pollution levels exceed
acceptable levels. The corporation can respond on smog alert days by:
-modifying operations that emit smog-related pollutants;
-ensuring that the risks of adverse health impacts are minimized, particularly in vulnerable groups;
-educating employees and the public on the potential health impacts; and
-encouraging a shift to behaviours that do not emit air pollutants.
The implementation plan outlined in this report is the first phase of a multi-year strategy. The response to smog alert
episodes will incrementally expand in subsequent years.
Contact Name:
Franca Ursitti, Research Consultant, Environmental Protection Office
Tel: 392-6788, Fax: 392-7418, email: fursitti@city.toronto.on.ca.
(Appendix 1)
Recommendations Adopted by City Council
on May 13, 1998 Related to
the Smog Alert Response Plan.
A.Resolutions embodied in Clause No. 1 of Report No. 8 of The Environment and Public Space Committee entitled "Smog
Accord for Ontario":
(2)Ontario Hydro be requested to adopt emergency measures which would provide for the reduction of power generation
at the Lakeview Generating Station during smog alert days;
(4)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to examine the possibility of reducing the amount of
incineration at the Main Treatment Plant, specially on smog alert days;
(5)the appropriate City staff be requested to take the necessary action to implement the following:
- the suspension of road paving and pesticide spraying activities by City staff during smog days;
- the suspension of the activities of City staff which require the use of gasoline-powered parks equipment, such as lawn
mowers and leaf blowers, on smog days; and
- the suspension of the use of the following by City staff on smog alert days:
- oil-based paints;
- solvents;
- cleaners; and
- other consumer products that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
(6)The following recommendation embodied in the submission dated June 16, 1997, from the Toronto Environmental
Alliance, entitled "An Air Quality Action Plan for Metro Toronto" be referred to the Chief Administrative Officer for
further consideration:
Across the municipality, investigate road closures during smog alert days for the summer of 1998 and work with the
Toronto Commission and GO Transit to develop contingency transportation plans;
(10)City Council endorse the concepts of a 'Summer Smog Plan' and 'Smog Alert Days' as suggested in the submission
from the Toronto Environmental Alliance; and
(11)the Medical Officer of Health be requested to submit a report to City Council for its meeting to be held in May, 1998,
on a corporate smog alert plan.
B.Resolutions embodied in Clause No. 8 of Executive Committee Report No. 18 entitled "Catching Your Breath - A
Corporate Model for Clean Air":
(1)the City of Toronto implement a corporate-wide Smog Response Plan, activated by the Medical Officer of Health, to
come into effect when the Provincial Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches a level of 50. This plan is to be implemented over a
two year period. Action to be implemented starting in the summer of 1998 include:
- suspension of all nonessential vehicle use;
- suspension of activities that involve the use of oil-based paints; solvents, cleaners;
- suspension of activities requiring gas powered equipment (mowing, trimming, etc.); and
- suspension of pesticide spraying activities.
(5)street sweeping activities be suspended, at least until after dark, on Smog Alert Days;
(6)the City of Toronto suspend re-fuelling activities for all non-essential municipal vehicles, at least until after dark, on
Smog Alert Days;
(7)all road re-surfacing activities be suspended on Smog Alert Days;
(8)all municipal air conditioning units be turned down on Smog Alert Days and staff be allowed to dress casually to
compensate for the slight increase in indoor temperature;
(10)the TTC be encouraged not to cut any more of their services and be asked to develop a strategy for Smog Alert Days;
C.Resolutions embodied in Clause No. 29 of Executive Committee Report No. 21 entitled "Catching Your Breath -
Partnerships for Clean Air"
(1)City Council endorse the report (September 5, 1997) from the Director, Healthy City Office, embodying the following
recommendations:
2.that the City of Toronto adopt a city-wide target to reduce Smog Episode Days from a record high in 1995 of 11 to two
or fewer Smog Episode Days in 2005.
References:
Catching Our Breath - A Corporate Model for Clean Air. City of Toronto, July, 1997.
Outdoor Air Quality in Toronto: Issues and Concerns. Toronto Department of Public Health, Environmental Protection
Office, 1993.
Outdoor Air Quality and Respiratory Health. Toronto Department of Public Health, Environmental Protection Office,
1996.
Position Paper on Health Effects of Ground-level Ozone, Acid Aerosols & Particulate Matter. Ontario Medical
Association, May, 1998.
Smog Accord for Ontario. The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, June, 1997.)
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN FILION,
Chair
Toronto, May 12, 1998
(Report No. 8 of The Board of Health, including an addition thereto, was adopted, as amended, by City Council on June 3,
4 and 5, 1998.)
