See clearly through the smog

Philippe Mercure’s editorial on air quality prompted your reactions. Here is a selection of your comments.




For better access to information

Thank you for this article. I am very sensitive to PM 2.5 and the information available really needs to be improved. As my trouble breathing starts in the middle of the acceptable zone, I need more detailed information. In addition to using different categories than other provinces and global apps, Quebec has only two of the three pollutants used by others. Outside the big cities, the information is only available for a complete region, which is not always useful when you are very sensitive. As everyone in Quebec is entitled to a heated home, I believe that now everyone should be entitled to at least one air-conditioned room and a simple air purifier at home. Otherwise, the number of climate-related deaths will continue to grow.

The Dr Robin Cohen, McGill University

Subsidize low-particle stoves

Wood burning contributes to smog. In summer too, but in town, they say it’s because of transport. It’s going better. You can then continue to make your fire quietly in your backyard to enjoy the summer. Yes, there is pollution from factories, yes there is pollution from transport. Earning bread and getting around is, I believe, more important than burning wood just to burn wood or residue, as you also see in the city. Similarly for wood heating, there are now fireplaces that emit virtually no particles. Cities could subsidize their conversions to help with winter air quality.

Sandra Cote

The inconveniences of camping

It is time for people to become aware of air pollution. I sold my camping gear ten years ago because I didn’t want to damage my lungs anymore. Yet camping could be so much an opportunity to get some fresh air. Many children are asthmatic. When I see babies in the smoke of ornamental fires, I prefer to withdraw rather than give my opinion… Hoping that our rare specialists will speak out on air pollution.

Michel Lacasse, Daveluyville

Let’s stay locked up!

It is time to learn from recent events to change certain behaviors that I have deemed unacceptable for many years. We have not finished putting out the forest fires that caused episodes of smog and already the majority of citizens have already forgotten the warnings and precautions to take to protect themselves and also protect their environment. Wednesday, a heat wave day, the mercury rose to 37 degrees in the afternoon. What was my surprise to smell a smell of smoke around 9 p.m.! Neighbors felt the need to make a fire outside. No consideration for the wider, physical environment. We are a neighborhood of relatively old people. It’s the holidays. Children come to visit their parents. Are we obliged to make a fire after having had the need to bathe during the day to refresh ourselves? At this time, people sensitive to heat (asthmatics, cardiac and others) could finally go out a bit to get some fresh air at sunset. No, the elderly have not yet given enough. Let’s stay locked up!

Doris Morin


source site-58