The Editor:
I have submitted this letter to the BC NDP and local city council:
I would like you to explore your intention to make communities safe. That is a broad word and can encompass many threats to well-being. Safety is not just about crime and law enforcement or drug activity.
To feel safe, one needs to feel safe from multiple threats and, in my situation, that means safe air to breathe.
I have hypersensitivity pneumonitis and have extreme respiratory distress to petrochemicals... vehicular exhaust, diesel, asphalt. I do not feel safe especially in the summer months when pollution is high.
So, I would like you to ask people about the threats they perceive to their safety so you can address those specific issues vs a broad use of the term safety.
For myself, I would like to have "no idling" bylaws enforced and "no idling" signs placed to inform people.
Mandatory in and outdoor air quality monitoring especially in high risk areas along major traffic arteries in lower lying areas during inversions and when venting conditions are poor.
I would like to see small air quality devices for people to use inside of their vehicles as it has been found to be by far the worst density of vehicular pollution.
Lastly, with the increase in immigration and rampant development for housing please give some thought to the location of these units to high vehicular traffic pollution.
I am in Port Moody and a new elememtary school is being built right at St. John’s where there is heavy traffic which will become heavier with an increase in population density.
Children who will play outside during recess and after school will be directly exposed to the road pollution and that is unfair and very short sighted.
Please visit Health Canada to learn about TRAP Traffic Related Air Pollution.
- Laurie Johansen, Port Moody
