The key finding of the study, which sampled air quality between 2020 and 2022, found that Ultra-fine particles, often found near airports, were higher when the wind came from the south west, into the neighbourhood from the direction of the airport.
This 15 minute is an edited presentation by Dr. Marianne Hatzopoulou, University of Toronto professor and co-lead of a scientific NSERC funded study of the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood. For many years residents wondered about the air quality in their downtown neighbourhood , which has Billy Bishop Airport to the south and the Gardiner Expressway to the north. Both transportation sources are located very close to this high density, mixed income community and residents were concerned about the impact on their health.
The key finding of the study, which sampled air quality between 2020 and 2022, found that Ultra-fine particles, often found near airports, were higher when the wind came from the south west, into the neighbourhood from the direction of the airport.
The findings are important as many residents live within 350-650 metres of the airport runway and this southerly wind direction is the prevailing wind, especially during the summer months when most people are outside enjoying the waterfront.
The study had two goals:
To identify pollutants using direct measurements of the air quality
That the findings be used to help inform policy and planning decisions in the future.
Partners in the study were the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association, City of Toronto Public Health and Planning departments and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The study's findings were released in May 2024 and this is the first public presentation of the findings, which took place on June 5, 2024.
For more information about the study's findings and for summary and full reports visit:
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