Evans Research Group

investigating sources and impacts of urban air pollution

MURB Research at Building Energy and Indoor Environment Lab

Posted on March 10, 2017 by chan

Toronto has a high concentration of multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) with the bulk that were built during the 1960s and 1970s. Today, these buildings are mostly owned by social housing and around 29 per cent of all rental units in Toronto are social housing MURBs. Current issues with MURBs are linked to energy usage not being considered when these buildings were built and also not being well maintained. Toronto is now In the midst of a second boom for MURBs but there is limited data on how the newer MURBs are performing.

At the SOCAAR Seminar on March 1st, Dr. Marianne Touchie, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Departments of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering spoke about why energy retrofits of MURBs should take a comprehensive and not piecemeal approach.
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The influence of clothing on exposure to methamphetamine, phthalates and nicotine

Posted on March 31, 2016 by chan

Aside from inhalation, exposure to indoor air pollutants through skin and oral routes can also be significant. Exposure through skin and oral routes become important for lower volatility chemicals like methamphetamine, phthalates, and nicotine. In the March 22 SOCAAR Seminar Dr. Glenn Morrison, a professor at Missouri University of Science & Technology, spoke about the influence of clothing on exposure to methamphetamine, phthalates and nicotine. Continue reading →