> Our BIGGEST reason for less pollutants (We have many more people and 
 > vehicles) is the decreased emission levels of those vehicles. Simple 
 > fact. Newer autos pollute less.
 > 
 > BTW, in keeping with the origional topic, here in the US we are 
 > healther, also.
The same can also be said for Vancouver - and Canada in general - as 
automobiles tend towards zero emission. However, unprecedented population 
growth offsets the reduced vehicle emissions such that total smog is still 
increasing - but the rate of increase is decreasing. It is the mandate of the 
British Columbia government and the GVRD to reduce the amount of emissions in 
the Lower Mainland by 50 percent by the year 2000. And with the help of 
AirCare Emission testing of all vehicles, we are leaning towards that goal. 
However, remember that total vehicular smog is a product of the number of 
cars times average emissions per vehicle where vehicle numbers are a function 
of population size. If population growth and vehicle usuage exceeds emission 
reductions then total smog increases even though the rate of change is 
decreasing. Such is the case for Vancouver. But to reiterate, we are making 
great strides to improve air quality in the GVRD. Per capita it approaching 
that of LA but in total smog, the air quality is much better.
Healthier in the US. That is questionable. Recent evidence suggests the `rate 
of change' in life expectancy is decreasing dramatically. This can be 
accounted for in part by skyrocketing mortality rates in teenagers 
(particularily inner city urban environments) and the age 20 - 35 group. AIDS 
has become the leading cause of death in the latter group. 
Therefore, one cannot ignore the plight of the world in general as no country 
is an island. Just look at the historical records of epidemics and pandemics 
- influenza (flu virus) in 1918 that killed millions globally (more deaths 
than WWI), spread of disease by Europeans to North American Indians in the 
1600s and 1700s that wiped out numerous tribes and the AIDS virus that has 
killed millions globally - and infects millions of North Americans. The rate 
of change of AIDS infected individuals is increasing; the number of cases 
doubles per annum. And all this in light of the fact that bacterial and viral 
pathogens are steadily becoming more resistant to current drugs as they 
evolve over time. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta states that 
the rate in change of pathogenic drug resistance is now approaching and in 
some cases, exceeding the rate of change in drug development. If the flu 
virus could kill millions then perhaps this is a wakeup call.
Food for thought... Daniel :)
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