Smog Study Underway at Toronto Schools

Toronto - August 24, 2000 - Environment Minister David Anderson and Health Minister Allan Rock, today announced that an intensive research project is underway in Toronto to address smog issues. The Toronto Urban Spatial Variability Study will determine how smog levels vary in different areas of the city, and will improve understanding of the links between air pollutants and human health.

"This study is part of one of the most comprehensive investigation ever conducted on smog and its relationship to the health of Canadians," said Minister Anderson. "The more we understand about the make-up and behaviour of these chemicals, the better equipped we will be to reduce the emission of air-borne pollutants and to improve the quality of the air Canadians breathe."

Researchers at Health Canada, at the University of Toronto and at the Toronto Western Hospital will analyze the data to determine how day-to-day changes in urban air pollutants affect the cardio-respiratory system. This research project is funded by the Government of Canada'sToxic Substances Research Initiative (TSRI).

"Although there is clear scientific consensus that urban air pollution causes a host of adverse health effects, including heart and asthma attacks and the shortening of life, it is not clear what components of air pollution are the most harmful," said Minister Rock. "This study, and others, will provide ground-breaking information on the most critical components of air pollution."

Two mobile monitoring labs will be set up at four elementary schools in the most densely populated regions of Toronto over two separate 11-day periods between August 9 and 31. The labs will measure many of the key pollutants in smog, including ground-level ozone, fine particles, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Since children and the elderly are most susceptible to the effects of exposure to air pollution, monitoring smog levels in schools will help ensure that the impact of health of this important segment of the population is well protected. In a closely-related TSRI study, about 15 adults will be wearing air monitoring equipment in a backpack to test levels of key pollutants in smog as they go about their daily routines.

The results of the Toronto Urban Spatial Variability Study are expected to be available by Spring 2001. The study will be repeated in Vancouver, British Columbia, in August and September 2001.

Related documents:

• Toronto Urban Spatial Variability Study [backgrounder, 2000-08-24]
• Toxic Substances Research Initiative Secretariat Website [information collection]