Effects of Photochemical Aging on Wildfire Smoke and Traffic-Related Air Pollution Exposures on Human Lungs: Translational Science Through Collaboration and Partnership

Air pollution is composed of gases and Particulate Matter. Wood Smoke (WS) and Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) are the two most common sources of air pollution. Air pollutants arising from WS and TRAP differ chemically. Additionally, they undergo chemical changes due to atmospheric processes, such as photochemical aging. The role of the chemical composition of air pollutants in governing mechanisms (oxidative stress and inflammation) that may translate into inflammatory lung diseases, such as COPD, asthma, etc., is not understood well. We will investigate how exposure of human lung cells to fresh and photochemically aged TRAP, WS, and TRAP+WS affects the respiratory system. This will help improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms, which can be translated into therapy and policy initiatives. The study will contribute to the Legacy for Airway Health’s goal to improve the respiratory health of Canadians through improved knowledge mobilization, which could be translated accordingly into improved air quality standards, cost-benefit analyses for policy and funding changes, air quality health index development, etc.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christopher Carlsten

Student:

Partner:

Legacy for Airway Health

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: