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Home / air pollution

air pollution

Traffic pollution impairs brain function

First-in-the-world study suggests that even brief exposure to air pollution has rapid impacts on the brain

Jan 24, 2023

PLUME will be used to measure concentrations of air pollutants across the city. Photo: Paul Joseph/UBC Mechanical Engineering

UBC team deploys pollution-sniffing mobile lab

Watch out, Vancouver. The PLUME van is coming soon to a location near you.

Aug 11, 2022

Reduce ADHD with more parks, less pollution

Reduce ADHD with more parks, less pollution

A study conducted in Metro Vancouver finds that the more green space and less air pollution children have in their neighbourhoods, the less likely they are to develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Feb 24, 2022

Map depicting the annual percentage of greenspace in Metro Vancouver for 2011. Darker shades of green depict areas of higher vegetation percentage, while lighter shades of green depict areas of lower vegetation percentage.

Spending time in nature promotes early childhood development

Want to ensure your child hits their expected developmental milestones? New UBC research suggests living in areas with high exposure to greenspace can help set them up for success.

Oct 21, 2021

Credit: Marcin Jozwiak / Unsplash

New global air pollution and health impact study the most comprehensive ever

An international research team co-led by UBC’s Dr. Michael Brauer has published the most detailed analysis ever conducted on global air pollution sources and their health impacts, covering 204 countries and territories.

Jun 14, 2021

The study shows that a lockdown can, for example, reduce air pollution from traffic and industry but at the same time increase pollution from residential sources such as heating. Credit: Unsplash

COVID-19 lockdowns only reduced air pollution in some parts of the world

When COVID-19 lockdown measures were first introduced last year, schools and shops closed, tourist spots were deserted due to international travel restrictions, and economies slowed down as most people adjusted to life in the confines of their home.

Apr 6, 2021

Researchers are planning to use a network of air quality sensors, mobile monitoring and sophisticated analysis instruments to locate and study air pollutants. Credit: Ria Puskas/Unsplash

UBC experts team up to tackle air pollution with network of sensors

Air pollution is an urgent problem linked to as many as nine million deaths per year worldwide and 14,000 annually in Canada, primarily from related heart and lung diseases. A group of UBC experts are determined to mount a rapid response through research.

Mar 9, 2021

Marginalized groups experience higher cumulative air pollution in urban Canada

Marginalized groups experience higher cumulative air pollution in urban Canada

Different marginalized groups are exposed to higher cumulative air pollution in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

Dec 21, 2020

Q&A: UBC researchers warn of dangers of air pollution during COVID-19 outbreak

Q&A: UBC researchers warn of dangers of air pollution during COVID-19 outbreak

With all attention on COVID-19 and concerns about the capacity of our health care system to cope, emphasis has rightly been placed on social distancing, handwashing and increasing hospital capacity. 

Mar 30, 2020

Living near major roads linked to increased risk of dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and MS

Living near major roads linked to increased risk of dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and MS

Living near major roads or highways is linked to higher incidence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests new research published this week in the journal Environmental Health.

Jan 23, 2020

UBC experts on World Environment Day

UBC experts on World Environment Day

World Environment Day takes place on Wednesday, June 5, with this year’s theme focused on air pollution. UBC experts are available to comment.

Jun 4, 2019

UBC experts available to comment on wildfires and associated air quality

UBC experts available to comment on wildfires and associated air quality

UBC experts are available to discuss the wildfires in B.C. and associated health risks.

May 30, 2019

Filtered diesel exhaust may worsen allergy-induced lung impairment more than unfiltered

Filtered diesel exhaust may worsen allergy-induced lung impairment more than unfiltered

Filtered air pollution from diesel engines could make allergy-induced lung impairment worse than exposure to unfiltered diesel exhaust, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

Apr 12, 2019

Consumer behaviour causing premature deaths from air pollution

Consumer behaviour causing premature deaths from air pollution

A UBC researcher is drawing attention to the human cost of our consumer behaviour by examining the number of deaths caused by air pollution from manufacturing goods.

Mar 29, 2017

UBC study finds optimal walking and cycling speeds to reduce air pollution inhalation

UBC study finds optimal walking and cycling speeds to reduce air pollution inhalation

Cyclists should be riding at speeds between 12 and 20 kilometres per hour, while pedestrians should be moving at two to six kilometres per hour to minimize their inhalation of air pollution while still getting the health benefits of exercise, according to new UBC research.

Oct 27, 2016

Poor air quality kills 5.5 million worldwide annually

Poor air quality kills 5.5 million worldwide annually

New research shows that more than 5.5 million people die prematurely every year due to household and outdoor air pollution. More than half of deaths occur in two of the world’s fastest growing economies, China and India.

Feb 12, 2016

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy linked with asthma risk

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy linked with asthma risk

Babies born to mothers exposed to air pollution from traffic during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing asthma before the age of six, according to new UBC research.

Feb 9, 2016

Exposure to air pollution in the first year of life increases risk for allergies

Exposure to air pollution in the first year of life increases risk for allergies

New research from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) study shows that exposure to outdoor air pollution during the first year of life increases the risk of developing allergies to food, mould, pets and pests.

May 4, 2015

Air pollution and asthma

Air pollution and asthma

Michael Brauer of UBC’s School of Population and Public Health on the link between air pollution, genes and asthma.

Jan 30, 2014

Clean fuel worsens climate impacts for some vehicle engines: UBC study

A pioneering program by one of the world’s largest cities to switch its vehicle fleet to clean fuel has not significantly improved harmful vehicle emissions in more than 5,000 vehicles – and worsened some vehicles’ climate impacts – a new UBC study finds.

Mar 1, 2011

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