Transportation UFP emissions focus of workshop - University of Toronto Transportation Research Institute

long shot audience and stage — Professor Marianne Hatzopoulou gives opening remarks, September 18, 2019

Pollution Probe and the University of Toronto Transportation and Air Quality Research Group (TRAQ) presented “A workshop on Ultrafine Particle Emissions from Transportation” September 18, 2019 at the University of Toronto to showcase findings from researchers at the nexus of transportation and human health on the issue of ultrafine particles (UFPs).

speaker at podium — Melissa De Young, Director, Pollution Probe, Workshop on ultrafine particle emissions from transportation, September 18, 2019

While much of the recent conversation in Canada around transportation emissions has been focused on greenhouse gases (GHG), the potential impacts of air pollution emissions on human health have received comparatively little attention. GHG emissions have been steadily declining in most vehicle classes, however, there are concerns that the introduction of certain fuel-saving technologies, such as gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines and turbochargers, has inadvertently caused a major spike in emissions of ultrafine particles (UFPs), which can cause adverse health impacts.

The workshop covered a wide range of topics affecting the production of ultrafine particle emissions, their impact on human health, and their monitoring and mitigation.

Pollution Probe, TRAQ, Global Automakers of Canada and the Canadian Fuels Association sponsored the event.

speaker stands on stage — David Adams, Global Automakers of Canada, Workshop on ultrafine particle emissions from transportation, September 18, 2019

Presentations were heard from:

University of Toronto professors from Civil & Mineral Engineering, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, and the multidisciplinary Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research.
Global Automakers of Canada, the national industry association representing the Canadian interests of 15 of the world’s most respected automakers.
nonprofit Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (MECA), based in Washington DC.
event co-sponsor and nonprofit, Pollution Probe.

Attendees were encouraged to pose questions and engage in discussion throughout the afternoon.

panelists on stage — Panelists and moderator during closing question and discussion period, September 18, 2019. (L-R: Prof. Greg Evans; Prof. Jeff Brook; Prof. James Wallace; Dr. Rasto Brezny; Dr. Jonathan Wang; Prof. Marianne Hatzopoulou) (Photo: Pollution Probe via Twitter)

See Twitter Moment: Workshop on Ultrafine Particle Emissions from Transportation

Co-presenters

Pollution Probe is a national, not-for-profit, charitable organization that exists to improve the health and well-being of Canadians by advancing policy that achieves positive, tangible environmental change.

The Transportation and Air Quality Research Group (TRAQ) is a research group at the University of Toronto focusing on modelling traffic emissions and near-road air quality as well as near-road air pollution monitoring and characterization.