UBC researchers expose volunteers to diluted air pollution in a controlled lab to study long-term health effects and improve public health policies.
Cutting-Edge Lab Studies Air Pollution’s Health Impact
At the University of British Columbia (UBC), a one-of-a-kind lab is attracting volunteers willing to inhale diluted air pollution — all in the name of science. The Air Pollution Exposure Lab (APEL), led by Dr. Chris Carlsten, is using these controlled experiments to better understand how air quality affects the human body.
Controlled Exposure Inside a Specialized Chamber
The experiments take place in a sealed polycarbonate chamber that mimics polluted environments using emissions from diesel engines, burning wood, and even microplastics. Volunteers sit inside for up to two hours at a time while using their laptops or reading, unaware of whether they are breathing filtered air or pollutants. All exposures are kept at concentrations comparable to those found in major urban centres, ensuring participant safety.
Why Volunteers Are Signing Up
Despite the unusual setup, the lab has no shortage of volunteers, aged from their 20s to their 70s. Motivated by a desire to support public health research, many say they feel proud to contribute. Participants undergo double-blind trials, meaning neither they nor researchers know which session involves real pollutants, maintaining scientific integrity.
Far-Reaching Health Effects Revealed
Findings from APEL have shown that air pollution can do more than irritate the lungs. The data highlights links between exposure and worsened asthma, reduced physical performance, cognitive decline, and systemic inflammation. Some results have informed public health policy, including environmental regulations in the United States.
Addressing Real-World Air Quality Challenges
As Canada faces increasingly severe wildfire smoke events, the need for accurate data has become urgent. Although the lab tests one pollutant at a time, its controlled conditions allow for a clear cause-and-effect analysis — something outdoor monitoring cannot replicate. APEL is now seeking funding to simulate multiple exposures simultaneously for more realistic data.
Aiming for Preventive Solutions
Dr. Carlsten emphasizes the lab’s next phase: moving beyond studies to testing interventions, like air purifiers or protective equipment. He hopes the findings will guide policies to protect vulnerable populations, especially outdoor workers who face chronic exposure to polluted air.
A Model for Global Research
While Canada’s air remains cleaner than most countries, Carlsten and other health experts believe APEL’s work has global significance. The lab continues to publish peer-reviewed studies and collaborate with international institutions, aiming to turn hard data into actionable health protections in an increasingly polluted world.
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