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Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect the health of one in four Saskatchewan residents. Federal data shows this ratio is disproportionately high in comparison to the rest of the country. It also shows a marked increase in the incidence of these diseases between 1994 and 2005. Drs. John Gordon and Don Cockcroft and the Airways Research Group are trying to find out why.

The group has collected evidence that some towns have substantially higher rates of respiratory disease than average. Estevan and Lloydminster are two such regions. Ambient airborne contaminants will be examined in these two communities and in Swift Current, which will serve as a control area. The group will look at levels of inhalable particulate matter and the chemical contaminants these particulates carry. At the same time, they will track and map the respiratory health of the inhabitants of these communities to determine whether changes in the levels of airborne particulates or their contaminants are co-related to exacerbations of respiratory symptoms.

This study has the potential to uncover the factors that are contributing to Saskatchewan’s disproportionate incidence of chronic respiratory diseases.

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