Pardis Keshavarz

Project Summary: We spend most of our time indoors, and indoor air pollution can harm our health. Mold and environmental tobacco smoke are common air contaminants found in homes, especially in First Nations communities. When mold and environmental tobacco smoke are together in a house, they can seriously affect the respiratory health of the people living there. The smell of mold is linked to respiratory problems and can increase the need for medical treatment and hospitalization. The existing data cannot clearly determine the health risks from smoking and mold contamination. Dr. Kirychuk hypothesized that the combination of tobacco smoke and mold may have chemical interactions that make the health risks even worse. The research aims to create tools to improve air quality and health in remote Indigenous communities for residents, property managers, builders, researchers, and governments. The resources and tools will be First Nations community-driven and will directly reflect the wants and needs of the communities.

Internal Mentor: Dr. Shelley Kirychuk

External Mentors: Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Beardy's & Okemasis Cree Nation, and Montreal Lake Cree Nation