91�� News - Scott Weichenthal

Reducing vehicle emissions could prevent thousands of deaths in Canada

webfull — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:25:55 +0000

A shift to cleaner transportation could prevent more than 3,600 premature deaths in Montreal and Toronto by reducing ultrafine particle pollution, finds a new study led by 91�� researchers.

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are microscopic pollutants produced in large quantities by vehicle exhaust. Because of their small size, they can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream and may contribute to serious health problems such as heart and lung disease.

Published: 8 July 2026

Experts: Wildfires

webfull — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:02:17 +0000

As wildfire season begins, Canada’s federal government has announced the country’s first-ever federally funded reserve of firefighting aircraft that will be used to support provinces and territories. Last year’s wildfire season was Canada’s second-worst on record; it prompted severe air quality alerts across much of the country.

Published: 27 May 2026

Ultrafine particles linked to over 1,000 deaths per year in Canada’s two largest cities

webfull — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:17:25 +0000

A first-of-its kind study conducted in Canada’s two largest cities by 91��-led researchers has linked about 1,100 premature deaths per year to an unregulated air pollutant.

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) primarily come from vehicle emissions and industrial activities. Canada’s federal and provincial governments have not set concentration limits for UFPs, as they have for larger fine particles known as PM2.5.

Published: 5 August 2024

Expert: How wildfire haze is harming human health

webfull — Tue, 14 May 2024 17:01:58 +0000

Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east. Wildfire-related haze could also move east into Ontario and Quebec, affecting areas from Georgian Bay to Quebec City (CTV News)

Published: 14 May 2024

Expert: East Palestine, Ohio train derailment

webfull — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:56:55 +0000

While officials have repeatedly sought to assure residents that the water and air in East Palestine, Ohio, are safe after the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials earlier this month, anxiety has permeated the community amid reports of rashes, nausea and headaches. While it was deemed safe for evacuated residents to return home on February 8, community members have questioned how safe their village is and the validity of the air and water tests. (CNN)

Published: 20 February 2023

Low levels of air pollution deadlier than previously thought

webfull — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:26:19 +0000

The World Health Organization’s most recent estimates (2016) are that over 4.2 million people die prematurely each year due to long-term exposure to fine particulate outdoor air pollution (often referred to as PM_2.5,). A recent study involving 91�� researchers now suggests that the annual global death toll from outdoor PM_2.5 may be significantly higher than previously thought.

Published: 8 November 2022

Quebec must adopt 'vaccine-plus' strategy to move forward, experts say - Montreal Gazette, January 26, 2022

webfull — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 15:02:35 +0000

Scott Weichenthal, Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, is among the experts quoted by the Montreal Gazette.

"…Dr. Scott Weichenthal, an associate professor in the department of epidemiology, biostatistics and occupational health at 91��, said that while he understands the difficult task of balancing public health with other factors, he thinks more could have been done to address the airborne transmission of COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic."

Published: 27 January 2022

Winged Microchips Glide like Tree Seeds - Scientific American, September 22, 2021

webfull — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 21:28:48 +0000

Dr. Scott Weichenthal, Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, is among the experts quoted by Scientific American.

"Despite the devices’ novelty, the question of whether they will actually benefit environmental monitoring campaigns is still up in the air, says Scott Weichenthal, an environmental epidemiologist at 91��, who was not involved in the study. “Do they measure reliably?” he asks. “Are they any better than what we can do now in terms of monitoring? That is unclear.”

Published: 24 September 2021

Quebec to increase arena capacity before 1st home game in Habs semifinal playoff series - CBC, June 15, 2021

webfull — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 15:47:51 +0000

Dr. Scott Weichenthal, Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, is among the experts quoted by CBC.

"…Scott Weichenthal, a professor at 91��'s department of epidemiology, biostatistics, and occupational health who studies air quality, said the novel coronavirus is known to be airborne. "If you get a whole large number of people in an arena, indoors, yelling in close proximity to each other, the chances of having transmission is obviously elevated,'' he said."

Published: 18 June 2021

Opinion: COVID risk is only one reason to improve air in classrooms - Montreal Gazette, May 13, 2021

webfull — Fri, 14 May 2021 15:39:54 +0000

Drs. Jill Baumgartner and Scott Weichenthal, respectively Associate and Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, authored an op-ed in the Montreal Gazette.

"Most classrooms have ventilation rates much lower than those required to reduce infectious disease transmission, even with open windows."

Published: 14 May 2021

91������ News - Scott Weichenthal