How does fossil fuel use affect our health?

Fossil fuels and health

Photo: B.C. Wildfire Service

B.C. Wildfire Service photo of a smoky fire south of Vernon, summer 2025.

Climate change is projected to cost the Canadian health-care system an additional $110 billion per year within the next 25 years.

If Canada does not prepare for the impacts of climate change, our healthcare system may become overwhelmed.

The heat dome of 2021 killed 619 people. An atmospheric river and catastrophic flooding cost over $450 million. In 2023, Canada experienced the worst wildfire season in recorded history. The resulting smoke incurred $1.28 billion in health-related costs in Ontario in five days.

Heat waves will continue to become more frequent and severe. Heat-related hospitalizations are estimated to increase 21% by 2050 and 100% by 2100. Rising temperatures will lead to decreased productivity, especially for outdoor work, costing almost $15 billion/year.

As temperatures rise, concentrations of ozone will increase, causing respiratory hospitalizations and premature deaths, costing an estimated $86 billion/year by 2050 and $250 billion/year by 2100.

The psychological impacts of climate change will increase the risk of mental illness, which already costs B.C. over $6 billion/year

Health effects of fracking

Recent studies indicate a strong correlation between fracking and the following adverse health outcomes for those living in nearby communities or working in the industry:

• Spontaneous miscarriages, preterm and small-for-gestational-age births, congenital heart defects, neural tube defects, limb reduction defects, and spina bifida

• Higher mortality risk and reduced life expectancy

• Higher incidences of cancer, cardiac, and respiratory diseases

• Increased hospitalizations for genitourinary system diseases

• Increased childhood asthma, and asthma associated deaths

• Increased risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

• Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder

Water contamination from fracking, both through surface spills and underground migration, poses serious risks to drinking water. Exposure to contaminated water is linked to gastrointestinal problems, endocrine disruption, and reproductive disorders.

For many First Nations communities, fracking infrastructure disrupts connection to the land and traditional activities. Subsequent decreased physical activity, poorer nutrition and higher exposure to toxins increase chronic disease risk.

We lack basic information about the toxic effects of many of the more than 1,000 different chemicals used in fracking. In the coming years, the list of illnesses and diseases associated with fracking will likely grow.

Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) plants and terminals release dangerous pollutants such as volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. These pollutants are associated with increased heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and certain cancers.

Wildfire Smoke—In 2023 exposure to Canadian wildfire smoke is estimated to have caused 82,100 premature deaths worldwide. Multiple studies have shown a clear link between wildfire smoke exposure and increased dementia risk.

Heat—Heat-related deaths in people over 65 have gone up 85% worldwide since the 1990s. Studies estimate that over 2.3 million additional temperature-related deaths could occur in 854 European cities by 2099. Studies show that exposure to extreme-heat events increases ageing-related physiological changes that increase cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and dementia risk.

Heat and smoke—A recent B.C. study showed a 7.9% excess mortality risk on days with PM2.5 (fine particulate matter, <2.5 micrometers (μm) in diameter) levels of 12–14 µg/m³ and temperatures ≥ 26 °C. Of the deceased, 57% were 65 years or older, and the average age at death was 63 years for males and 71 years for females.

Gas in homes—Methane combustion in residential gas appliances creates nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and the carcinogens formaldehyde and benzene. Average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in homes with gas stoves are 50-400% higher than in homes with electric stoves. Three-quarters of the methane emissions from gas stoves occur when the appliance is off.

Children living in homes with gas stoves have a 42% increased risk of having asthma and a 24% increased risk of developing asthma. Nitrogen dioxide exposure is also linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory distress among those not suffering from asthma.

Healthcare professionals are alarmed by the increasing adverse impacts of fossil fuels on health and healthcare in B.C., and the absence of adequate baseline studies, monitoring, and meaningful consultation with disproportionately affected First Nations.

Recommendations

1. Fund a comprehensive, cumulative and independent health impact assessment of LNG and fracking activities, including climate-related, gender-based, culturally specific and long-term impacts.

2. Strengthen regulations and monitoring protocols to reduce air and water pollution from current operations, with an independent government body ensuring strict compliance and enforcement.

No one will be exempt from climate change health effects but they will be worse for those already at risk due to poor health and who face barriers to affordable housing, food security, and healthcare.

Protecting our health from climate change is not just about preparing for specific risks, it is also about addressing factors like poverty and racism that make people more vulnerable, and ensuring access to housing, healthcare, employment, and education.

Despite those growing risks, preparation for the health impacts of climate change remains inadequate.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.