Alberta’s tar sands leading source of air pollution in North America

Canada’s oil sands produce the same amount of air pollution as a city the size of Los Angeles or Houston, according to a new study by regulator Environment and Climate Change Canada. Rising vapours from the oils sands combine with chemicals and become secondary organic aerosols, known to be damaging to human health. The study’s results are in line with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s stance on climate change, having reversed the government’s position since taking office. Terry Abel, director of oil sands at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said the study was “all new information”.

OTTAWA — The amount of pollution created by vapor from Canada’s oil sands, which contributes to climate change, ranks on par with most major cities in North America, according to a new study by the country’s environmental regulator that was published on Wednesday.

While the connection between the oil sands’ carbon emissions and climate change is well documented, the study, which was funded by the regulator, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and appeared in Nature, is the first to track the vapor produced in the process and the extent of the pollution that results. It also adds the particularly weighty voice of the Canadian government to the debate.

In recent months, the government, under the leadership of the new prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has reversed course on global climate change. While the country’s economy depends heavily on resources like the oil sands, Mr. Trudeau has made climate change a priority on his agenda.

The study was published just as several major oil sands operations were trying to reopen after being evacuated because of a massive wildfire in the Fort McMurray, Alberta area. Earlier efforts to restart operations were abandoned after the fire swung north and reached the perimeter of Suncor’s and Syncrude’s large mines and plants. Large fire breaks prevented any damage, however.