The OMA recognized the need to explore not only the direct health effects of air pollution but also the need to understand the associated economic ramifications for the provincial health care system as well as for Ontario more generally. To this end, a feasibility study was undertaken, the purpose of which was to determine how best to develop appropriate estimates of the economic damages relating to air pollution-induced illnesses (42). A methodology was designed for developing an integrated analytical system which would bring together the best knowledge and data on air quality, human health and economics and which would produce forecasts of expected damages (and.
