Protect our health and clean air: regulate Ultrafine Particles (UFPs)

Oh Canada! Let’s be the first country to regulate a serious air pollutant linked to damaging health effects

Air Pollution is recognized as a serious threat to health. But while Canada has set standards for certain types of air pollutants, a microscopic particle, a thousand times thinner than a strand of hair, remains unregulated and is playing havoc with our health.

Known as ultrafine particles, or UFPs, these airborne pollutants can penetrate deep into the lungs and are found in the blood, brain and the even the placenta that nourishes unborn babies. In adults, these particles cause cardiovascular disease, and are linked to cancers and diabetes, while exposure to UFPs increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Video: Why we launched Canada's first petition to regulate ultrafine particles

We now know that children and the next generation are at risk. Exposure to UFPs during pregnancy can lead to greater rates of babies with low birth weights and Canadian researchers have discovered a link to a specific type of congenital heart defect in babies. Developmental exposure to UFPs is also linked to learning, memory and cognitive impairments.

Canadian research has contributed much to our awareness of the health impacts from UFPs. A recent multi-year study in Montreal and Toronto of long-term exposure to outdoor UFPs found an increase in brain cancers and over a thousand premature deaths per year in these two cities were associated with UFP exposure. In a recent CBC article about ultrafine particles Health Canada stated that it estimates exposure to air pollution contributes to 17,400 deaths annually in Canada, of which 12,500 are attributable to ultrafine particulate matter.

So how can we reduce our exposure to these pollutants while building a strong Canadian economy? UFPs are generated from combustion which is why people who live near busy vehicle traffic, airports, or industrial zones are at higher risk. But rural communities are also impacted from biomass burning, local traffic and windblown UFPs.

We can reduce UFP emissions from vehicles and aircraft with cleaner energy and transportation systems along with better planning, and we can lower emissions from industry smoke stacks. This can be done most effectively by setting (and enforcing) safe standards for UFP exposure.

Based on available evidence, the World Health Organization has now set guidelines to define ‘high’ UFP levels and the European Union is working to regulate UFPs. It is now Canada’s opportunity to build a strong economy while protecting the health of future generations by regulating these very small and very dangerous pollutants.

Please sign the petition to update Canada’s air pollution regulations to include safety standards for ultrafine particles that reflect the most precautionary exposure limits to protect human health and actions to greatly reduce the sources of UFPs.

Sign the petition to regulate Ultrafine particles!

Petition to regulate Ultrafine Particles

Ultrafine particle size compared to a grain of fine beach sand, a human hair, dust and pollen and particle matter.

References

Qiao Zhu et al. Associations between Ultrafine Particles and Incident Dementia in Older Adults. Environmental Science & Technology. Vol 59/Issue 11. Ecotoxicology and Public Health March 13, 2025

Eric Lavigne, et al. Spatial variations in ambient ultrafine particle concentrations and risk of congenital heart defects. Environment International. Volume 130, September 2019.

Cory-Slechta et al. Developmental exposure to low level ambient ultrafine particle air pollution and cognitive dysfunction. NeuroToxicology. Volume 69, December 2018.

J L Allen et al. Developmental neurotoxicity of inhaled ambient ultrafine particle air pollution: Parallels with neuropathological and behavioural features of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurotoxicology. 2017

Marshall Lloyd, et al. Airborne ultrafine particle concentrations and brain cancer incidence in Canada’s two largest cities. Environment International. Volume 193, November 2024.

McGill University Newsroom. Ultrafine particles linked to over 1,000 deaths per year in Canada’s two largest cities. Study points to an urgent public-health need for tighter environmental regulations. 5 August 2024.

CBC. Ultrafine particles - Tiny and unregulated, UFPs have the potential to cause major health problems. September 27, 2024.