Tag Archives: aerosol particles

CAREBEIJING progresses air pollution control measures in Beijing

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Beijing as seen through the recent smog episode. (Photo credit Flickr user: Infinite Jeff)

Beijing as seen through the recent smog episode. (Photo credit Flickr user: Infinite Jeff)

The severe air pollution in China’s capital, Beijing, has made the news around the world these past two months, with many wondering what was causing the smog. Professor Tong Zhu, of Peking University’s College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering in Beijing, delivered a special SOCAAR Seminar addressing the recent air pollution episode. He also highlighted steps that could be taken to improve the air quality in Beijing and the surrounding North China Plain. Continue reading →

Human exposure studies investigate response pathways to air pollution

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Air pollution is often linked to adverse effects on respiratory health but it can have even stronger ties to cardiovascular health issues. In the first SOCAAR Seminar of 2013, Drs. Krystal Godri Pollitt and Bruce Urch discuss their findings from a number of recent human exposure studies looking at the effects of particulate matter (PM) exposure on cardiovascular health.

A number of studies over the last 10-20 years have found pollutant exposure has led to increases in cardiovascular related illness or death. But the mechanisms of the body’s response to exposure is still unclear. The research presented aims to improve the understanding of the response pathways to PM exposure, information which could ultimately be used to improve the air quality policies that are implemented. Continue reading →

Dr. Robert Healy kicks off the new SOCAAR seminar series

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Aerosol particles are in the air all around us. In fact, you will inhale 5 to 20 million particles in your next breath.

Dr. Robert Healy, a Marie-Curie Research Fellow at the University of Toronto, delivered SOCAAR’s inaugural seminar on October 3rd. He discussed how an Aerosol Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (ATOFMS) can be used to answer two important questions about aerosol particles: Where do these particles come from? What is their chemical composition?

Continue reading →