Title: “Impact of Air Quality in First Nations Communities for Community-Based Physical Activity Programming ”
Supervisor: Dr. Darren Warburton
Second Reader: Dr. Rosalin Miles
Abstract:
Introduction: For many Indigenous communities in Canada, physical activity is often done outdoors in a community-based setting, which may lead to an increased exposure to air pollution and increased risk for adverse events. There is limited air quality monitoring in most Indigenous or rural communities in Canada such that community members may unknowingly be exposed to air pollution when exercising outdoors. Methods: Three air quality monitors were placed in Lytton First Nation, a rural First Nations community in British Columbia. Data regarding particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10.0), inorganic matter (CO2, O3), temperature, pressure, and humidity were recorded from April 2019 – June 2021 and extracted for data analysis. Results: Statistically significant increases were noted in PM 1.0 (p<0.05), PM 10 (p<0.05), and O3 (p<0.001) from year 1 to year 2. There were significant correlations between many of the variables, but most notably between the different particular matter sizes (i.e., PM1.0/2.5 (0.976), PM2.5/10.0 (0.999), and PM1.0/10.0 (0.965), respectively (p<0.001)) and also between PM 1.0/O3 (0.200, p<0.05). Discussion: The highest PM and O3 levels recorded during the two-year period were above the recommended levels provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada. To know when it is safe to exercise outdoors, there should be increased air quality monitoring within Indigenous communities with culturally-safe knowledge translation. Policies regarding air quality should be Indigenous-led and created with an Indigenous lens. Conclusions: Marked levels of air pollution were recorded within a rural and First Nations community in BC, Canada that affect the safety of engaging in physical activity outdoors. Increased air quality monitoring and policies should be Indigenous-led to create culturally-safe changes that support the community in considering the effects of air pollution when engaging in physical activity outdoors.