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The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment (CANE) call for a moratorium on fracking expansion in British Columbia, citing severe health risks to local populations and the climate impact of methane leakage. They recommend a transition to zero-emissions buildings, the end of fossil fuel subsidies, and a just transition for affected workers and Indigenous communities.

The report estimates that four Canadian environmental regulations—the Coal Phase-Out, Clean Electricity, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), and Methane Regulations—will generate between $18 billion and $21 billion in direct health benefits by 2050. These savings, primarily from reduced respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses caused by pollutants like NOx, SOx, and particulate matter, are equivalent to the cost of 2,200 to 2,500 doctors over 36 years. The authors argue that these figures are conservative as they exclude broader climate-related health gains and that policymakers should maintain these commitments despite current economic pressures.

The report analyzes four Canadian environmental regulations—Coal Phase-Out, Clean Electricity, VOC, and Methane—finding they provide between $18 billion and $21 billion in direct health benefits by 2050. It argues that these savings could be used to address healthcare shortages, such as hiring 2,200 to 2,500 doctors, and cautions against the use of discount rates that undervalue the health of future generations.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment argues that pollution pricing is essential for reducing emissions and protecting public health in Canada. The statement highlights that the industrial carbon pricing system is projected to be the largest driver of emissions reductions from 2025 to 2030, while the consumer fuel charge accounts for up to 14% of reductions. It asserts that carbon pricing has a 'negligible' impact on inflation and that 80% of households receive more in rebates than they pay. The authors link fossil fuel combustion to 1 in 7 premature deaths in Canada and warn that heat-related deaths could cost between $5.2 and $8.5 billion annually by the end of the century. The document calls on political leaders to uphold pollution pricing to maintain economic competitiveness and align with international trade mechanisms like Carbon Border Adjustments.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) used the U.S. EPA's CO-Benefits Risk Assessment (COBRA) version 4.0 to model the health effects of 2023 diesel emissions from highway and off-highway sectors. The methodology employs a damage function approach to translate emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide into premature mortality, hospital admissions, and economic costs. For 2023, the model estimated premature deaths from diesel exhaust to be between 3,900 and 8,800, a decrease from the 2016 range of 6,300 to 14,200. Additionally, using a 2015 California Air Resources Board risk factor, CATF estimated that 2023 diesel particulate concentrations of 0.26 ug/m3 result in a national risk of 228 lifetime cancers per million people, totaling nearly 80,000 cancer cases.

The report recommends that the EPA strengthen PM2.5 standards to an annual limit of 11 µg/m3 and a daily limit of 25 µg/m3. According to the analysis, this standard would prevent up to 35,700 premature deaths annually and generate $281 billion in yearly economic benefits. The document highlights that current standards are insufficient and that vulnerable populations, including children and low-income individuals, are at higher risk from soot pollution.

The report finds that Eskom's current retrofit plan is insufficient to address sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, leading to significant projected mortality and economic losses. Full compliance with the MES by 2025 would avoid approximately 2,300 deaths and R42 billion in economic costs annually. The most stringent scenario, applying Best Available Technology (BAT), would reduce health impacts by over 90% by 2031 compared to the current plan.

The Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) for eThekwini Municipality, produced in April 2007 by eThekwini Health and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, establishes a scientific framework to address urban air pollution. The plan focuses on priority pollutants—including sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, benzene, and odours—particularly within the industrialised South Durban Basin. It integrates a monitoring network, emission inventories, and dispersion modelling via the AirQUIS software system to inform abatement strategies and ensure compliance with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act of 2005.

The report finds that the proposed Lephalale Coal Mine (LCM) and its power plant will cause significant air quality violations and severe health and economic burdens. It argues that a previous environmental impact assessment (EIA) by GESI (2017) underestimated these impacts by neglecting mercury, existing pollution sources, and secondary PM2.5 formation. The analysis indicates that while mining alone causes 93 premature deaths, burning the coal on-site increases this to 3,120 deaths, and burning it at existing plants like Medupi or Matimba could lead to up to 41,984 premature deaths. Mercury emissions are projected to cause a loss of 3,700 IQ points and 554 lives, with significant deposition in protected ecosystems like the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve.

This report details the methodology and emissions inventory used for an air pollution health risk analysis concerning the existing Matimba Power Station and the proposed Project Alpha Power Station in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It describes the use of CALMET and CALPUFF dispersion models to simulate pollutant concentrations and the subsequent application of dose-response relationships to estimate health risks, specifically total non-accidental mortality and respiratory hospital admissions.

This report analyzes the health risks associated with air pollution from the existing Matimba Power Station and the proposed Project Alpha in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It compares scenarios with and without sulphur dioxide (SO2) controls for Project Alpha, estimating the impact on non-accidental mortality and respiratory hospital admissions (RHAs).

The briefing identifies over 59 hazardous substances in EU carpets, including carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, which pose risks to consumers, vulnerable populations, and workers. It highlights that these toxics hinder circularity by contaminating recycled materials and creating technical recycling challenges. The document calls for a 'health-first approach' to the circular economy, recommending the introduction of a Carpet Product Directive, an EU-wide Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, and the banning of identified hazardous chemicals and PVC to ensure safe and recyclable products.

The document outlines how plastic causes human health crises through exposure to polymers and toxic additives at every stage of its life cycle, from feedstock extraction to waste management. It emphasizes that marginalized communities are disproportionately affected and calls for systemic solutions focused on comprehensive plastic reduction and manufacturer accountability rather than individual consumer behavior.

The report details how mercury pollution impacts human health and violates international human rights. It highlights the vulnerability of fetuses and children to neurotoxins, the dangers of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), and the systemic failure to protect workers and communities from toxic exposure. Key examples include the Minamata disaster in Japan and mercury-contaminated grain in Iraq.

The document highlights that micro- and nanoplastics are ubiquitous atmospheric pollutants that can travel thousands of kilometers, leading to significant human inhalation. It details how these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the vascular system, acting as vectors for toxic chemicals. The report links exposure to various respiratory, metabolic, and reproductive health issues and calls for a legally binding international agreement to address the full life cycle of plastics.

The document outlines the systemic health risks associated with the full life cycle of plastics, from fossil fuel extraction to waste management. It highlights that 99% of plastics originate from fossil fuels and that exposure to associated toxic chemicals occurs via inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. The report emphasizes that current fragmented research is insufficient and calls for a precautionary approach, increased transparency regarding chemical additives, and a global reduction in plastic production to mitigate risks such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and neurotoxicity.

The report details how plastic exposure occurs at every stage of its life cycle—from extraction and refining to consumer use and waste management—releasing toxic chemicals and microplastics that cause severe health issues including cancer and endocrine disruption. It calls for a shift from fragmented assessments to a comprehensive life-cycle approach, increased transparency regarding chemical additives, and a global reduction in plastic production.

The document outlines the health risks associated with every stage of the plastic life cycle, from extraction to waste management. It highlights that 99% of plastic is derived from fossil fuels and that the process releases numerous toxins, including carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. The report emphasizes that microplastics and chemical additives enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, leading to severe health issues such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. It concludes that current narrow approaches to plastic pollution are inadequate and calls for a precautionary approach focused on reducing overall plastic production and increasing transparency regarding chemical compositions.

The report details how plastics threaten human health at every stage of their lifecycle. It highlights toxic emissions during fossil fuel extraction (specifically hydraulic fracturing) and refining, the leaching of endocrine disruptors and carcinogens from consumer products and packaging, and the release of hazardous pollutants through waste incineration. It further examines the pervasive presence of microplastics in the air, water, and food chain, and their potential to cause inflammation, genetic toxicity, and organ damage. The document concludes that current fragmented regulatory approaches are insufficient and calls for a global reduction in plastic production based on human rights and health protections.

The document details how the climate crisis and fossil fuel combustion drive severe health outcomes, including 8 million annual premature deaths from air pollution and extreme risks for 1 billion children. It advocates for 'healthy NDCs'—Nationally Determined Contributions that integrate health into energy, transport, and agriculture sectors—noting that every dollar invested in climate adaptation can yield four dollars in economic and health benefits. It specifically calls for health professionals to advocate for these policies ahead of the 2025 NDC 3.0 submissions.