Air pollution

Methodological background:

The total population of all geographical areas where the average concentrations for all pollutants are less than or equal to the respective standards is divided by the total population.

Remarks:

The indicator uses a total of 7 standards related to 4 air pollutants (fine particulate matter [PM2.5], ground-level ozone [O3], nitrogen dioxide [NO2] and sulphur dioxide [SO2]). With the exception of the annual standards for NO2 and SO2, the 2020 Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards used in the indicator use 3-year average concentrations. The annual standards for NO2 and SO2 use a single annual concentration for the 3-year reporting period. For example, for the 2017 to 2019 reporting period, the annual concentrations for 2019 were used for the annual standards for NO2 and SO2. The 3-year average figures are therefore each fully assigned to the final years they represent. 

Population figures are the Q3 population estimates.

Sources:

Environment and Climate Change Canada. Population exposure to outdoor air pollutants