CBC The National video: Ultrafine particles are everywhere. Should you be worried?

CBC The National video featuring the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Air Quality Study

Scientists say ultrafine particles have potential to cause major health issues. There’s growing concern about a new category of unregulated airborne pollutants, so tiny they can pass through the lungs and into the bloodstream. For The National, CBC’s Ashley Fraser explains ultrafine particles (UFPs) and why scientists say they have the potential to cause major health problems.

CBC The National – view the video

CBC News · Posted: Apr 15, 2026 3:38 PM EDT

From the BQNA position statement opposing allowing jets at the Island Airport:

Health impacts

Jets operating next to Canada’s largest downtown core and in our busy waterfront magnifies safety concerns.

Increased air pollution will affect us all.

In 2013, following a rapid Health Impact Assessment conducted by the City, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health warned that residents on the central waterfront were already being “exposed to health risks from airport-related air pollution,” and that introducing jets would raise their “risk of premature death and cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes”.[3]

Direct measurement of air pollutants in the Bathurst Quay community by University of Toronto Transportation and Air Quality scientists over 3 years concluded in 2024 that BBTCA is the primary source of ultrafine particles (UFP) in the community when the wind blows from the south (the airport’s location).[4] Because of this, our waterfront community is as polluted as heavy traffic areas of downtown Toronto. This is of particular concern because the highest UFP spikes were next to schools, and children’s playgrounds. These results spurred the BQNA to launch Canada’s first petition to regulate ultrafine particles.[5] The introduction of jets will elevate these levels.

Research into the health impacts of living near airports has intensified, particularly for the impacts from UFPs. Recent studies show an increased risk of malignant brain cancer, dementia, lung cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

In 2017, the AECOM report cited above, had also warned of increased risk of respiratory illness, cardiopulmonary problems, lung cancers and respiratory track tumours, with the introduction of jets. The report found highly dangerous air pollutants NO2, PM2.5, Acrolein and Benzo[a]pyrene, exceeded benchmark Toxicological Reference Values.[7]

Lengthening the runway would mean expanding the pedestrian tunnel that links the airport to the mainland to accommodate the thousands of extra people coming into the terminal each morning. It will also increase emissions from heavier road traffic to the airport – which will directly impact the schools, daycares and playgrounds that exist right next to the airport’s taxi ranks and ferry dock.