your health — fall & winter 2013

and the air you breathe

Fa l l & W i n t e r 2 0 1 3

Getting smartphone about quitting p.6

City commuting? It’s a TRAP! p.13

Robbin takes on Kili, and nothing’s gonna stop her p.9

Your HealthFall & Winter 2013

British Columbia Lung Association 2675 Oak Street Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2

Tel: 604 731 5864

Toll-free: 1 800 665 5864

Fax: 604 731 5810

[email protected]

www.bc.lung.ca

StaffPresident & CEO: Scott McDonald

Contributing Writers/Editors:

Katrina van Bylandt, Emily Wall

Layout & Design: Matthew Shettler

Medical advisory Committee:Dr. Robert Schellenberg, UBC Pulmonary Research Lab,

St. Paul’s Hospital (Chair)

Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer,

Vancouver Coastal Health

Dr. Richard J. Finley, UBC Department of Surgery

Dr. J. Mark FitzGerald, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH

Dr. John Fleetham, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH

Dr. Darlene Reid, Div. Physical Therapy, UBC

Dr. Jeremy Road, UBC Respiratory Division, VHSSC

Dr. David Speert, BC Research Centre

executive Committee:Dr. Peter Paré, Chair

Mr. Ash Dhanani, Vice-Chairperson

Dr. Kevin Elwood, Honourary Treasurer

Mr. Dan BoudreaultMr. Gary ChappleMr. Tom DeSorcyMr. Mike EllisMr. Richie GageMr. Doug HillMr. Walter HuebertMrs. Marilyn LawrenceMr. Scott MarshallMr. Keith MurrayDr. Robert Schellenberg

Breathe easy Monthly GivinG PlanSend the greatest amount of your gift directly into vital community programs and research

It’s the best way to give. By signing up for our monthly giving plan, you’ll help us reduce our costs by saving paper and postage for donation requests, meaning more of your dollar will go where it is needed most.

Register now by calling 1-800-665-5864

bc.lung.ca 3

Important Dates

November Lung Cancer

Awareness Month

November 20, 2013

World COPD Day

(Chronic Obstructive

Pulmonary Disease)

January 19-25, 2014

National Non-Smoking Week

March 3-10, 2014

National Sleep

Awareness Week

March 16, 2014

Climb the Wall: The

Stairclimb for Clean Air

stairclimb.ca

March 24, 2014

World Tuberculosis Day

Give the Gift of GolfFeaturing deals at over a hundred of the province’s best golf courses, at $35 the book is a great investment for avid golfers and an even better stocking stuffer. This Christmas, give the gift of golf and put a smile on the face of your favourite golfer! golfandsave.ca

Celebrating a life committed to improving the lives of lung patients.

An outstanding researcher, teacher and lecturer,

Dr. Hogg has played a leading role in establishing

BC as a centre for world-renowned lung health

research – and to this day he continues to inspire

and mentor new generations of scientists working

to improve patients’ lives.

Recruited by the University of British Columbia in

1977, with support from the BC Lung Association,

Dr. Hogg was the first full-time professor based

inside St. Paul’s Hospital. There he and Dr. Peter

Paré, current Chair of the BC Lung Association,

co-founded what has become a world-renowned

centre for pulmonary and cardiovascular research.

Known today as the UBC James Hogg Centre

for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research at

St. Paul’s Hospital, the centre is a focal point

of research excellence in the area of heart

and lung conditions and trains more than

100 professionals every year.

Throughout his life, Dr. Hogg has arguably had

a greater influence on the medical community’s

knowledge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

(COPD) than any other individual worldwide. He

has also advanced our understanding of asthma,

how both healthy and diseased lungs work, and the

effects of smoking and pollution.

Dr. Hogg’s most recent research is working toward

a treatment capable of reversing destruction of

lung tissue in COPD. His work also stresses the

importance of finding a diagnosis before symptoms

appear, leading to the prevention of COPD.

“Dr. James Hogg was recently awarded the most prestigious biomedical prize in Canada: the Gairdner Wightman Award.

A champion for the work we do at the BC Lung Association, we offer Dr. Hogg our heartfelt congratulations and thanks.”

Scott McDonaldCEO, BC Lung Association

Dr. Hogg (2013) in his research centre at St. Paul’s Hospital. Inset: Dr. Hogg (1986) supporting the BC Lung Association’s Christmas Seal campaign.

Colour portrait of Dr. James Hogg courtesy of St. Paul’s Hospital

4 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2013

Pharmacies BC is the only province still allowing pharmacies to sell cigarettes

As of May 2013, BC is the only province in

Canada that continues to allow the sale of

tobacco products in pharmacies and venues

containing pharmacies.

“Every day pharmacists provide expert advice

to people who are thinking of quitting or

having a hard time resisting the temptation

of tobacco. Selling tobacco products in

pharmacies and stores containing pharmacies

is contrary to the view that pharmacies are

businesses designed to support and promote

health,” says Scott McDonald, CEO of the BC

Lung Association.

And health advocates are not the only ones

who think a ban is necessary. According

to a recent survey, 73 percent of British

Columbians support a ban. Most pharmacists

already do.

We are joined by the BC Medical Association, the College of Pharmacists of BC and the BC Cancer Society in our continued call for legislation that prohibits tobacco product sales in BC pharmacies.

Outdoor Places It’s time for BC to ban smoking in outdoor public places

The BC government has banned smoking in

almost all public indoor places. The same,

however, cannot be said about outdoor public

places including parks, playgrounds, beaches

and restaurant patios.

“Only a fraction (20 percent) of BC regional

districts and municipalities have implemented

bylaws banning smoking on restaurant and

bar patios, and/or in public places, particularly

those where children go to play. This leaves 80

percent of BC municipalities without any such

bylaws,” says Veda Peters, Tobacco Education

Coordinator for the BC Lung Association.

As it stands, province-wide laws ban smoking

three metres from doors, windows and air

intakes of public buildings, in transit shelters,

and on school grounds but don’t address

smoking in outdoor public places.

We’re calling for the province to address the confusing patchwork quilt of municipal bylaws and ban smoking on all outdoor patios of bars and restaurants as well as in all parks and playgrounds across the province.

Apartment Buildings British Columbians want smoke-free housing options

British Columbians are largely protected

from second-hand smoke where they work

and eat, however many people are still being

exposed to unwanted second-hand smoke

where they live, especially in multi-unit

dwellings such as apartment buildings and

condominium complexes.

“We often hear from people in apartments

and condominiums, who are regularly

exposed to unwanted second-hand smoke

drifting from neighbouring suites and

balconies. People feel helpless to stop it,” says

Sharon Hammond, QuitNow Manager for the

BC Lung Association.

We’re advocating for the implementation of a provincial government policy to increase smoke-free housing options. This policy would require that all new social housing complexes, market rental apartment buildings and condominiums be designated as smoke-free, unless they go through a tenant- or owner-approved process to designate the property as smoking.

Advocacy Tobacco use remains the number one preventable cause of death and disability. The BC Lung Association works together with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to encourage government action on tobacco-related issues.

bc.lung.ca 5

It’s move-in day. You’re making dinner in the

great new apartment you just bought. And

suddenly you catch a whiff of cigarette smoke

coming from next door. If you’re a healthy-

living type, your home-buyer happiness may

be gone in a puff of smoke.

Well homeowners in downtown Squamish

condo complex The Artisan weren’t going

to hold their tongues on this issue. Instead

owners in the 68-suite (3 commercial and

65 residential suites) building set a new

milestone this summer by voting to become

100 percent smoke-free.

Mike Young of Dynamic Property

Management, the building’s strata manager

says, “There are 68 units in the building,

including several smokers, however the

overwhelming majority of owners were

all for it.”

Effective as of June 2013, the ban prohibits

tenants, guests and service people from

smoking in any area, including both private

strata lots and common areas, whether

enclosed or outdoors.

“Even if smoking is restricted to the strata lot

(condo), the smoke can easily travel through

the ventilation system, electrical outlets,

under doors and through open windows into

the surrounding units,” continued Young.

The Artisan’s strata council was constantly

getting complaints about smoke travelling

into people’s homes. It’s one of the biggest

complaints in multi-family complexes.

Now that the Artisan has implemented

a 100 percent no smoking policy, the

problem is solved.

“We hope this is the start of a new trend in

the community,” says Veda Peters, BC Lung

Association Tobacco Education Coordinator.

And if left to local property management

company owner Mike Young, it may be one.

“Since the Artisan went smoke-free, we’ve

already helped another Squamish strata

corporation pass a non-smoking bylaw, and

we’re working on a third. Based on demand,

smoke-free buildings definitely have a

competitive advantage.”

Bothered by a neighbour who smokes a lot?Squamish Condo Complex Leads by Smoke-Free Example

Learn how to implement a smoke-free building policy at smokefreehousingbc.ca

Veda PetersTobacco Education CoordinatorBC Lung Association

“Adopting a no-smoking policy is legal, easy to implement and means healthier tenants and a healthier bottom line.

It’s not a question of discriminating against smokers. It’s about protecting the property from damage and fire, as well as protecting residents from exposure to second-hand smoke, a proven health hazard.”

An Ipsos Reid survey of British Columbians living in multi‑unit dwellings also confirms: • Two in three report a preference for living in

a smoke-free environment

• Two in three report strong support for more condos having smoke-free bylaws

• Nine in 10 do not allow smoking inside their homes

• 50 percent report exposure to second-hand smoke

• 59 percent see second-hand smoke as a health hazard; 49 percent see it as a nuisance

quitnow.ca is now mobile-friendly Get your QUITspiration at facebook.com/quitnowbc


Ready to quit smoking? We’re here to help, 24/7.

The BC Lung Association’s QuitNow program has gone mobile, delivering quit smoking support into the palm of your hand day or night.

People are using mobile devices in all

aspects of their life, whether it’s to search

for a lower price, navigate a strange city,

expand a customer base or track their

health and finances.

It was only natural therefore that the BC

Lung Association’s quit smoking services

went mobile too. Today all of our quit

smoking tools, contests and support

services can be accessed using your

smartphone as well as your computer.

If a quit plan is what you need, QuitNow

offers a step-by-step quit guide that

identifies smoking triggers and coping tips.

You’ve also got an interactive tool to help

you know how much money you’ve saved by

not buying cigarettes and how long you’ve

been smoke-free.

If motivation is what you’re after, you

can sign up for the text messaging

support service (text “quitnow” to 654321),

participate in our monthly quit contest

(tobaccofreetuesdays.com) or join the

QuitNow Facebook community.

Or, if what works best for you is

one-on-one advice, call a quit coach

toll-free (1-877-455-2233) or get real-time

advice online through QuitNow’s expert

chat service.

How your smartphone can help you quitHow wireless technology is helping BC smokers conquer their addiction

quitnow news A province-wide quit smoking resource, QuitNow provides and promotes tools and services scientifically-proven to increase quit-ready British Columbians’ chances of quit success.

Jack BoomerDirector of QuitNowBC Lung Association

“Today all of our quit smoking tools, contests and services can be easily navigated through your smartphone or tablet.

By ensuring our help is close at hand, we hope you’ll reach for your smartphone instead of a cigarette.”

Smartphone Use Facts

• 56 percent of Canadians use a smartphone,

up from 33 percent in early 2012

• 8 in 10 smartphone owners won’t leave

home without their mobile device

• 52 percent of smartphone owners have

used their phone to look up health or

medical info

• Smartphone owners spend on average 2.5

hours per day on their mobile device

bc.lung.ca 7

What pharmacists can do for youIn the 1950s, pharmacists’ responsibilities

centered around dispensing and

compounding drugs. Pharmacists rarely

communicated with patients about their

medications or disease processes. But that

has changed.

“Many people think all pharmacists do is

take pills from a big bottle, pour them into

a smaller bottle and slap on a label,” says

QuitNow Manager Suzanne Gaby. “What

people don’t realize is how much impact

pharmacists can have on public health.”

Today a pharmacist’s role includes not only

dispensing functions, but also direct contact

with patients and other providers. They

administer flu shots and provide asthma

education and blood pressure monitoring.

They can help maximize the use of lower-

cost generic medications when appropriate

and offer counseling services on how to take

your medications properly.

And they can help you quit smoking too.

“Pharmacists are amongst the most trusted

sources of healthcare advice — and you

don’t need an appointment to see one,”

continued Gaby. “Most people live or work

within walking distance of a community

pharmacy, so you can just pop in at your

convenience and have a quick chat.” This

makes them the face of community

healthcare, and a vital health resource.

What QuitNow is doing for pharmacists“Because most of us see our pharmacist

more frequently than we do our doctor,

the pharmacy setting offers an excellent

opportunity to address and help people with

their quit smoking questions,” says Gaby.

“The challenge we face is that, like other

health care professionals, few pharmacists

are trained in how to help people quit.”

According to a Lung Association survey, only

16 percent of health care professionals had

received quit smoking training. That’s why

QuitNow is offering workshops across the

province to help pharmacists to:

• Learn how to initiate conversation and interact

with clients about smoking and how to quit

• Offer effective quit medication advice

and support

• Educate clients about BC’s free smoking

cessation program

• Take advantage of free quit support tools

available through QuitNow.ca

“One out of two tobacco users will die

prematurely of tobacco-related illness —

but pharmacists can make a difference.

Seventy percent of tobacco users are

interested in quitting, and with the right

training, pharmacists can help. They can

assist smokers to assess their level of

nicotine dependence, speak about ways

to cope with withdrawal symptoms, make

them aware of free support services, and

give recommendations on various products

available to cope with nicotine withdrawal,

many of which are available without a

prescription,” says Gaby.

For future QuitNow Workshop dates or to

arrange a training workshop in your area contact

[email protected] or call 1‑800‑665‑5864.

Suzanne GabyQuitNow ManagerBC Lung Association

“People don’t realize how much impact pharmacists can have on public health. Because most of us see our pharmacist more frequently than we do our doctor,the pharmacy setting offers an excellent opportunity to address and help people with their quit smoking questions.”

For more about QuitNow, visit quitnow.ca, email [email protected],

or call The Lung Association at 1-800-665-5864.


I was a nurse for 25 years, so I knew

about COPD. Many of the patients

I cared for had the disease. So did

my mother. But I was playing the

game of denial.

I had experienced shortness of

breath, coughing, recurring chest

infections and bronchitis.

Today I work out regularly at the

gym, swim at a local pool and

play golf in a league called “The

Golden Girls.”

That first 10 to 15 minutes of

exercise can be hard. When I swim,

I have to go slow and build up.

But you have to stay active. Pace

yourself and don’t give up. Because

the less you do, the less you can do.

You’ve got to learn to read your own

body. But don’t give up. You have to

stay active!

For people living with a chronic lung condition, small changes can make a big difference.COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) affects every part of your life, particularly as the disease progresses, but it doesn’t have to stop you in your tracks.

Simple activities you once took for granted, such as taking a walk or getting dressed

have become increasingly difficult. Exacerbations or flare ups (when you have an

acute worsening of your symptoms) can further affect your quality of life. But, while

COPD can’t be cured, it can be managed. There’s plenty you can do to make your life

easier and keep flare-ups at bay, including:

Quit Smoking for goodToday, there are many methods to help

you quit. Talk with your doctor, visit

quitnow. ca, or call 1-877-455-2233 to learn

how you can stay smoke-free for good.

See Your Doctor RegularlyEven if you’ve been doing well lately, it’s

still important to visit your physician

on a regular basis. Bring a list of your

medications so he or she can review

what you’re taking.

Take Your MedicationYour medications are designed to

help you manage your symptoms and

breathe easier.

Avoid IrritantsParticles in the air can irritate your

lungs and worsen COPD. Do your best

to steer clear of dust and second-hand

smoke. Stay inside on days when

outdoor air quality is poor.

Fend off the Flu and PneumoniaBoth the flu and pneumonia can cause

serious complications when you have

COPD, so ask your doctor about yearly

vaccines, stay away from crowds

during flu season and wash your

hands frequently.

Take it EasyTo keep COPD symptoms under control,

slow down. Take your time doing

activities throughout the day so you

won’t overexert yourself. Ask for help

when you need it.

ExerciseYour COPD symptoms may make it

difficult to stay active, but don’t give

up. Discuss exercise options with your

doctor. Incorporating more physical

activity into your day can strengthen the

muscles that help you breathe—helping

you feel better overall.

NutritionEating well and maintaining a healthy

weight are important parts of keeping

muscles strong.

Ask QuestionsWhen you understand your condition

and how to treat it, you’ll be better able

to keep flare-ups from compromising

your well-being.

Mary Stewart

“I’ve now been living with COPD for the past 17 years. Having COPD hasn’t slowed me down.”

COPD A serious progressive lung condition that makes breathing difficult, COPD is an umbrella term for a condition that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of adults over 40 live with COPD.

15BREATHWORKS PRIME PLAN

Don’t fall for:

programs that promise “quick cures” or•

“light” or “low-tar” cigarettes as an alternative to quitting — •they’re as harmful as regular cigarettes

It’s tough to quit if you don’t have help. Most people have to try four of five times before they can quit for good. Keep trying. You’re worth it! In fact, your life may depend on it.

You can do it!

For more information on how to live well

with COPD, contact the Lung Association

Breathworks Hotline toll free at

1-866-717-COPD (2673).

bc.lung.ca 9

Scaling Africa’s highest peak to help fund COPD research

“Watching mother struggle to breathe was like watching her climb a mountain every day. I couldn’t help her overcome COPD, but I can climb Mount Kilimanjaro in her memory.”

Rather than holding a bake sale or participating

in a local charity event, Gabriola Island’s Robbin

Sinclaire is taking fundraising to the new heights

by climbing almost 20,000 feet. A fundraising and

organizing team of one, she is covering all her own

travel costs to ensure any monies raised support

vital lung research and programs funded through

the Lung Association.

“Seeing a loved one struggle with a prolonged

illness is hard. Mom was a fighter and kept faith

a cure or better treatment would be found. She

volunteered for experimental therapies but in the

end, her age prevented further intervention,” says

Robbin who also lost her grandfather to COPD. “By

making a contribution, I’m hopeful others will not

have to face the same struggle as my mother and

grandfather did.”

Robbin’s climb is also motivated by the suffering

she has witnessed through her work and travels

in Canada’s eastern arctic and South Asia: regions

where tuberculosis is rampant due to crowded

living conditions and poor health. Her personal

experience with a lung health scare in 2010

further fueled her determination to summit Mount

Kilimanjaro. She suffered a pulmonary embolism:

extensive life-threatening clots in both lungs.

“Whatever chronic disease you are fighting, good

health is the best defence,” believes Robbin. “If, like

my mother, you have COPD, your body is already

taxed trying to meet its oxygen requirements. So

please be sure to stop smoking, commit to regular

exercise and eat healthier.”

Portrait at top left by Lisa Rey Photography

Support Robbin in her quest to improve the lives of lung patients and their families.Learn more and make a donation by visiting Robbin’s website at

kiliclimbforlife.com and follow her on Twitter @ kiliclimb2014

for updates.

Dr. Tillie‑Louise Hackett

Dr. Hackett’s research centres on developing a better understanding of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

Her current study focus is understanding the

disruption of normal repair processes within

the lungs and how this promotes inflammation

and changes the lung tissue of COPD patients.

The goal of her research program is to further

understand the micro-environment of airways.

She also aims to help prevent the disease

processes which contribute to obstructive

airway diseases like asthma and COPD.

Dr. Hackett has a PhD. in Cellular and Biological

Sciences from the University of Southampton in

the UK and joined the James Hogg Research Centre

at UBC in 2006. She is currently an Assistant

Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology,

Pharmacology and Therapeutics at UBC and

Associate Director Centre for Heart Lung

Innovation at UBC and St. Paul’s Hospital.

Dr. Jordan Guenette

Dr. Jordan Guenette’s current research relates to how exercise can improve quality of life in patients living with chronic respiratory conditions.

Dr. Guenette began his research career

studying elite endurance athletes and how

their bodies handled the stress of their training.

Over time, he became increasingly interested

in chronic respiratory conditions. Today, the

primary aim of his work is to better understand

the factors that limit exercise tolerance

among patients.

Exercise being one of the key management

strategies for optimizing quality of life, the

long-term goal of his research is to further

improve patients’ lives through effective

pulmonary rehabilitation.

Dr. Guenette has a PhD in Exercise and

Respiratory Physiology from the UBC School

of Kinesiology. Dr. Guenette is currently an

Assistant Professor at the Department of

Physical Therapy, UBC.

Dr. Nick Bansback

Dr. Bansback is a health economist. His studies are focused on using decision science to better inform policies and practices in healthcare.

Dr. Bansback’s current research relates to

patients suffering from sleep apnea, a serious

breathing problem that interrupts one’s sleep.

The most effective treatment is a machine that

consists of a mask fitted over a patient’s nose

and mouth during sleep to force air into the

lungs. But while effective, it is inconvenient for

patients, and adherence is low.

Dr. Bansback’s studies focus on educating

patients about treatment options, finding out

what aspects of treatment matter most, and

helping patients select the treatment they will

be most likely to use regularly.

Dr. Bansback has a BSc in Mathematics, an

MSc in Health Services Research and a PhD in

Health Economics and Decision Sciences from

the University of Sheffield. Dr. Bansback is

currently Assistant Professor at UBC’s School of

Population and Public Health.

ResearchChanging Lives Through

Dr. Stephan van Eeden

Dr. van Eeden and his team are studying how air pollutants like cigarette smoke and particulate matter damage lung cells and how to reduce their impact.

It was Dr. van Eeden’s research team who first

demonstrated that air pollution causes the

development and progression of atherosclerosis,

the underlying disease in vessels responsible

for stroke and heart attacks – and gave Dr. van

Eeden and his team international recognition.

He is currently studying how lung inflammation

induced by inhalation of ambient particulate

matter causes vascular disease; research that

could lead to new treatments and ways to

prevent air pollution-induced vascular disease.

Dr. van Eeden was a family doctor in Cape Town,

South Africa before returning to University

to study Internal Medicine, and ultimately

completed his PhD at UBC. Today he is a research

leader at the James Hogg iCapture Centre for

Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Research, COPD

Program Director at St Paul’s Hospital and

Professor of Medicine at UBC.

Dr. Yossef Av‑Gay

Dr. Av-Gay’s lab work is focused upon uncovering information critical to the development of new and better drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB).

Until recently, TB was considered to be a

minor and decreasing problem in industrialized

countries, even though TB remains the leading

bacterial cause of death worldwide. But the

decline of TB in industrialized countries has

recently undergone a reversal, with multidrug-

resistant strains of the disease emerging and

becoming more difficult to cure.

This re-emergence has brought mycobacterial

research, an area of study neglected

over the past 20 years, to the forefront of

microbiological research.

Dr. Av-Gay has a PhD in Microbial Genetics from

Tel Aviv University. He is currently a research

scientist with the Immunity and Infection Research

Centre at the Vancouver Coastal Research

Institute and Professor in the Division of

Infectious Diseases at UBC. He is also editor for

the Journal of Biological Chemistry, serves on

various scientific advisory boards and review

panels and consults for several Biotech companies.

Dr. Charles Thompson

Dr. Thompson is studying how bacteria become immune to antibiotics, which is a growing concern in treating bacterial infections, particularly tuberculosis.

Traditional methods of finding new antibiotics

are becoming less effective as new antibiotic-

resistant strains of bacteria develop. This can

be caused by the evolution of bacteria but is

most commonly due to patients not taking

the full course of medication. It requires

stronger and stronger drugs be developed to

treat “super bugs.”

Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on identifying

genes within harmful bacteria that allow it to

become “immune” to antibiotics.

Dr. Charles J. Thompson has a PhD from the

University of Pennsylvania. He was head of

Molecular Microbiology at the University of Basel

in Switzerland until 2004 when he relocated to

Vancouver to become head of the Department of

Microbiology and Immunology and a co-director

of the Life Sciences Centre at UBC.

It is thanks to our donors that we can support the work these researchers do.Fulfilling its ongoing role to fund cutting-edge research and change lives, the BC Lung Association grants more than a

million dollars annually to physicians and scientists doing research right here in British Columbia.

Research builds knowledge about the lungs, continually improving how lung disease is prevented and treated. With our

support, researchers are tackling lung disease from many angles and making a difference in the lives of the one in five

British Columbians struggling with breathing problems. Meet six of our recent grant recipients here:

Researcher photos courtesy of UBC and St. Paul’s Hospital. Lung cell background image by flickr.com/pulmonary_pathology, CC-BA


When you think of what constitutes

a “fragrance,” what products come to

mind? Perfume? After-shave? Hairspray,

perhaps? While these are definitely

common culprits, fragrances are all

around us — even in places you might

not have thought of. They’re in cleaning

products, laundry detergents, personal

care products, air fresheners, scented

candles — even cat litter and trash bags.

These fragrances aren’t naturally-

derived, they are made from petroleum

chemicals, more than eighty thousand

of which are in use around us every day.

Because these fragrances are deemed

“trade secrets” according to legislators

and government agencies, companies

are not required to list the specific

ingredients used in any of their products.

This makes it even harder to identify and

avoid chemicals that cause a reaction.

This is no small matter. According to

Statistics Canada, up to 2.4 percent

of working Canadians suffer strong

enough physical reactions to scents

to impede their performance in the

workplace, and a further 12 percent

have less severe symptoms. Ranging

from headaches and nausea to difficulty

breathing. For those with a pre-existing

lung disease or condition, symptoms

can be even more severe.

All of these symptoms detract from the

overall health of the working public, and

can reduce workplace productivity and

increase absenteeism.

While there are no Canadian laws

regu lating the wearing of fragrances in

the workplace, a growing number of

workplaces are voluntarily going scent-free.

Should your workplace be next?

Aromatic affliction

Considering making your workplace scent-free?Following a few simple steps can help your workplace transition to scent-free easily.

• Start with a survey of opinions and suggestions that can help gauge and anticipate staff response

• Post brochures and informational posters prominently around the office

• Plan incentives to encourage compliance

• Create a committee to implement the policy, including all levels of staff (management, employees, union reps)

• Make it clear to staff that the new policy is to address health concerns, not to single out anyone for their choice in perfume

The BC Lung Associaton has resources and materials available to help your company go scent-free. For more information, call 1-800-665-5864

Scented products, from cleaners to perfumes and laundry detergents, are more than just unpleasant; they actually make some people ill.

Health Canada estimates that 16 per cent of

lung cancer deaths in Canada are caused by

radon and that an estimated 500,000 Canadians

are living in homes that exceed the federal

guidelines of 200 Bq/m3 for radon exposure.

The risk of developing lung cancer depends on

how much radon a person is exposed to, how

long they are exposed as well as whether or

not they smoke.

“High radon concentrations have been

detected in homes across the country,” says

Scott McDonald, CEO of the BC Lung

Association. “Radon occurs as a result of the

natural decay of uranium in rocks and soil. The

only way to know if your home has high radon

levels is to test it.”

“Any level of radon exposure carries some risk,

but regardless of how high a radon test result

is, certified radon mitigation specialists have

proven there are simple, effective solutions.”

says McDonald. “A fix usually costs between

$500 and $3,000 but this amount will vary

depending on the design of a home.”

Radon test devices are available through the

BC Lung Association office. Contact us toll-free

1-800-665-5864 or email [email protected]. We

will mail you the test kit with instructions on

how to set up the device and send it back to a

lab for analysis. The cost of the test kit is $30.00.

Learn more about radon at our new website:

radonaware.ca.

REMINDER: Now’s a good time to test your home for Radon.

bc.lung.ca 13

Both diesel- and gasoline-fueled vehicles

give off emissions whenever the engine

is running, even when stuck in traffic

or idling at a curb. These emissions —

which include particulate matter, black

carbon, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur

dioxide — are then breathed in by

people who live, work, or travel near

traffic sources.

As may be obvious, the more traffic

flow there is in a certain area, the more

pollution there is. People who have long

commutes (the average commute time

for urban Canadians being 52 minutes

per day) are breathing in harmful

emissions while they are in transit — or

even waiting at a bus stop or train station.

Even more worrying are the estimated

one third of all Canadians who currently

live within 100 metres of a major road

or 500 metres of a highway, and the

one third of elementary schools stuck in

traffic-dense areas. For these Canadians,

breathing in harmful emissions isn’t

limited to an hour-long daily commute,

but is something they are doing all day

long while they study, eat — even sleep.

Because no particular government

agency has the responsibility of putting

in place measures that protect the public

from TRAP, the BC Lung Association

collaborated in a study with the BC

Ministry of Environment, Metro Vancouver,

TransLink and other health agencies to

monitor TRAP along commuter routes.

This study, spanning three weeks in

both the winter and summer of 2013,

looks at ways that infrastructure —

from transportation to buildings to

land use — can work to improve

community planning, outreach and

education. The aim of the study is to

inform recommendations for effective

methods of reducing TRAP exposure

for commuters.

Caught in the Urban Commuter TRAPThough you may not have heard of it before,

Traffic-Related Air Pollution (or TRAP) is a major

public health concern for everyone — but

particularly for those struggling with lung disease

or any condition that causes difficulty breathing.

Read more about TRAP in this year’s State of the Air Report. Published annually by the BC Lung Association’s Air Quality and

Health Steering Committee, the report provides a snapshot

of current air quality across the province, information about

pollutants of greatest concern from a human health perspective,

and the various actions underway in BC to address these issues.

Download a copy at bc.lung.ca or call the Lung Association

toll-free at 1-800-665-5864 and we’ll mail you a copy.

FOREWORDOur province is one of the most beautiful places to live. Air quality in B.C. is generally good, and improvements have been made as the data in this report shows; however, challenges remain. Our air quality is affected by myriad factors – natural and man-made, internal and external.

For this reason, this year we again train our lens on two air quality issues that we briefly touched on in last year’s report: Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) and ultrafine particles. We also identify a remote source of smoke that impacted parts of B.C. last summer.

TRAP has been linked to various respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, so several agencies recently came together to study ways to reduce exposure to it. The study is expected to recommend strategies and actions that will impact a wide range of fields, not just traffic management.

In a related move, Health Canada also conducted personal monitoring studies in major Canadian cities, including Vancouver, to better understand the health effects on commuters of traffic emissions exposure.

As for ultrafine particles: we have a comprehensive report on the 10th Air Quality and Health Workshop, which this year brought together a distin-guished panel of international experts to provide a state-of-the-art overview of ultrafine particles.

Finally, we see how environmental events outside of B.C. affect our air qual-ity. During the summer of 2012, smoke from distant wildfires was linked to elevated levels of air pollution in B.C.

In closing, I wish to acknowledge the tireless commitment, time and efforts of all the agencies and individuals involved in the 2013 State of the Air Report.

What Are You Breathing on Your Daily Commutes?

Beating the TRAP: Reducing the Impact of

Traffic-Related Air Pollution

Pollution Levels: How Does

B.C. Measure Up?

Smoke from Siberian Wildfires

Ultrafine Particles and Their Health Impacts

Trends: Air Pollution in B.C. through the Years

News from

Partner Agencies

Collaborative Initiatives

Contact Information of Agencies

C O N T E N T S

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SCOTT MCDONALD President and CEO, BC Lung Association

1


Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath 2013

Powered by VolunteersOver the last 29 years, Trek has grown from a small

event, organized by a few intrepid riders and Lung

Association supporters, to an annual 200 km ride with

hundreds of participants.

Many of our participants have been riding for years —

even decades! And we can never adequately express

our gratitude for their hard work and support. But

there is also another group of people without whom

the event would not only be lacking in pom poms and

cowbells, but wouldn’t be possible: the volunteers.

Many of our volunteers have been part of Trek since

the early days — both as riders and event operations

volunteers. This group go about the event helping run

the barbeque shed, the registration tent, manning rest

stops, loading and driving the gear truck, providing

medical assistance, acting as “sweeps” along the route

and cheering riders on as they cross Day 1 and Day 2

finish lines. They’re prepared, ready for anything and

never short of helpful suggestions. And yes, how very,

very fortunate we are!

We interviewed some of this year’s cheerleading volunteers. Hear what they had to say:

Katherine“I wouldn’t dream of leaving my post until the last

Trekker crosses the finish line!”

Evan“I love the atmosphere of well-being, and all the

good-hearted people at the event.”

Chris“I’m here to cheer people on, and it works — even

people who think it’s silly can’t help but join in.”

Mabel“My husband has been riding for 3 years. I started by

cheering him on — now I’m cheering for everyone!”

Garrett“I got involved in Trek because my uncle has been

doing the ride for 7 years. It’s an amazing route,

particularly the section along Cultus Lake.”

Rita“I rode for 25 years before I began volunteering.

I remember when the old Trek route took us

to Vancouver Island. I have so many good

memories.”

Lesley“When I retired, I contacted all the charities I

support and offered my time. I volunteer for

the Lung Association’s Trek and Stairclimb

events — but Trek is my favourite. The people,

the atmosphere, the cause — I love it!

Interested in volunteering at an upcoming BC Lung Association event?Check out our fundraising event line-up at bc. lung. ca, and contact Kate or Tegan to learn more at 1-800-665-5864.

bc.lung.ca 15

Day One Fist Place: Craig Lylack Day One Second Place: Christopher Grimley Day One Third Place: Ken McDowell

The coming year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath. We’re looking forward to some fun and exciting twists on

our Trek traditions, and we hope that you’ll all join us for this

milestone ride on September 6–7, 2014. Register today at bicycletrek.ca

Trek is so much fun that it’s easy to forget that it’s first and

foremost a fundraising event. But we know that as hard as our

Trekkers pedal, they fundraise even harder.

We’d like to extend a huge shout out to each and every one of

them (and their supporters) for the countless emails, appeals

to friends and colleagues, pub nights and arm-twisting they

did to raise money on our behalf.

Top individualsRita Wittmann $8,000

Scott Marshall $7,500

Adam Hill $6,000

Top teamsRuthless Riders (16 members) $24,000

The Chain Gang (our house team with 13 members) $14,000

Langley Lung Nuts (3 members) $11,000

Let’s have a big round of applause for all of them, and for all of you!

Rita Wittmann Scott Marshall Adam Hill

A shout-out to our fundraising champions

Thank you, 2013 sponsorsDunbar Cycles

Budget

YYoung Water

FXN Fitness

DAVIDsTEA

KIND Healthy Snacks

Nester’s Market

popchips

Ocean Potion Suncare

Charlie’s Chocolate Factory

Vitamin Water

The Old Spaghetti Factory

Park Inn & Suites

Richmond Aquatic Services

The Rosedale on Robson

Chilliwack River Rafting Adventures

Cypress Mountain

Olives On Tap

Richmond Go Karts

Sempervivia Yoga

Vancouver Giants

Vancouver TheatreSports League

YYoga

FlyOver Canada

Kokanee Springs Resort

Vancouver Aquarium

IMAX Victoria

Photo credits, above and opposite: Jorge Posada, Katrina van Bylandt, Scott McDonald, Jomar Santos

16 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2013 Photo credits, above and opposite: Jorge Posada, Sukhraj Bhattal, Amanda Evans, Nate Osborne

Four Times the RUSHRace & Urban Scavenger Hunt’s fourth year adds smartphone clues for the first timeHundreds showed up bright and early

at Jack Poole Plaza (Home of the

Olympic Cauldron) on June 15, 2013 to

battle it out for the title and a trip for

two around the world at the BC Lung

Association’s 4th annual RUSH: Race &

Urban Scavenger Hunt.

RUSH is a competition between teams

of two who must decipher clues

leading them to 10 out of 15 possible

checkpoint challenges scattered

throughout Metro Vancouver, and the

grand prize goes to the first team to

cross the finish line having successfully

completed all ten. To take part, each

team has to raise a minimum of $200

to help fight lung disease.

“It’s hilarious to watch how far people

will go to win a trip around the world,”

said Lung Association Development

Manager Chris Lam. “Everyone parks

their inhibitions at the start line, ready

to take on some of their biggest fears in

the race to the finish line.”

This year RUSHers had to conquer their

fear of heights on the PNE’s legendary

wooden rollercoaster, complete yoga

poses on a paddleboard floating

in English Bay, answer tricky trivia

questions (or eat live worms), and run

inside a human-sized beach ball.

And, to earn an advantage over their

competition, RUSHers had the chance

to uncover confidential race intelligence

in advance by participating in an online

scavenger hunt using their smartphones

one hour before the race started. Lung

Association supporters Conner Galway

and Ryan Whyte of Junction Creative

Group came up with the idea.

“We see RUSH as a kind of real-life

video game and suggested that an

online Easter Egg Hunt (similar to

the hidden bonuses in video games)

could add excitement the morning of

the event — and give RUSHers the

chance to earn an advantage over their

competition,” says Galway.

“Essentially RUSHers had to communicate

with their social media friends and

followers via smartphone to uncover

hidden race information which not only

helped them race smarter, but helped

organizers broadcast awareness of

the event to participants’ social media

friends and followers at the same time.”

“Eighty of 150 teams took part — and

were glued to their smartphones right

up until the race started,” continued

Galway. “Including grand-prize winning

team, Morgan and Laine McDonald.

After three years of RUSH participation

they knew the secret to winning is more

about smart strategy than anything else.”

Big thanks to our enthusiastic RUSH

family who this year helped raise over

$70,000 to help fight lung disease.

Grand prize winners Morgan and Laine McDonald, a brother- and sister-in-law team from Comox completed the race in 2 hours and 45 minutes flat!

Thank you 2013 sponsors

Pinnacle Pursuits

Pfizer

Mahony & Sons Public House

YYoung Water

Vancouver Convention Centre

Q Energy Drink

Nuba

The Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver

Freshii

Dog Taxi Vancouver

KIND Snacks

Urban Rec

Windsure

North Shore Paintball

Capilano Suspension Bridge

BC Lions

Big River Brew Pub

Matrix Production Services

Stanley Park Brewery

Balloon Studio

popchips

VitaminWater BC

Whistler Bungee

Vancouver Maritime Museum

Playland at the PNE Vancouver

Survivor Bootcamp

Tantra Fitness

Stand Up Paddle Vancouver

SPA on the Rocks

Wedgewood Hotel

Pacific Surf School

Shelter Restaurant

Psyched for the 5th annual RUSH?Get more info and register at rushvancouver.ca Third place winners Thomasina Burgess and Eva Sereda.

Second place winners Matthew Ho and Michael Van Nen.

bc.lung.ca 17

4 Supporting our Lung Association SUPERTEAM! at the RBC Granfondo

Whistler. September 7, 2013 marked

the third annual RBC GranFondo

Whistler — a mass, competitive cycling

race. Thousands of riders participated,

including a total of 20 BC Lung

Association SUPERTEAM members

who together raised nearly $19,000

in support of vital lung health and air

quality programs. Thank you GranFondo

SUPERTEAM!

field notesThe BC Lung Association has been dedicated to its mission of promoting and improving lung health for all British Columbians for over 100 years. Here are some of the things we’ve been up to lately.


1 Urging people to get a flu shot instead of the flu. The Lung

Association recommends everyone

six months and older get a flu vaccine.

A flu shot offers the best defense

available to protect against flu. Anyone

can get the flu, but some people are

at greater risk for serious flu-related

complications, like pneumonia. This

includes adults 65 years and older, who

we also suggest get a pneumonia shot.

Over a normal flu season, one in 10

adults and one in 3 children will come

down with the flu. See your doctor or

visit immunizebc.ca for information on

BC flu clinics.

2Giving our 29th Annual Fresh Air Photo a new twist. For 29 years now the BC Lung Association

has been partnering with London Drugs to bring

you the annual Fresh Air Photo Contest. This year we went

fully digital, encouraging amateur photographers in Western

Canada to upload their best photos representing the theme

of My Canadian Summer. The top ten photos were picked

by popular online vote, and our panel of judges selected

three grand prize winners who each received a camera pack

courtesy of London Drugs. To see this year’s winning images

and find out more about the Contest, visit bc.lung.ca

3 Helping stamp out lung disease. Can a little

paper stamp help save lives? Christmas Seals® have

been doing it for more than 100 years. The Christmas

Seals Campaign is the nation’s oldest direct-mail fundraising

campaign created to fight TB. It originated in Denmark and

was first established in Canada in 1908. Today, funds raised

through Christmas Seals help make it possible for us to

combat lung cancer, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease) childhood asthma, tobacco use, second-hand smoke,

air pollution and influenza. To make a donation visit bc.lung.ca.

5 Addressing the health risks related to energy resource transportation

and extraction. World authorities on

environmental health issues will meet

in Vancouver on March 10, 2014 to

lead discussions on growing evidence

of pollution’s adverse health effects

at the BC Lung Association annual Air

Quality & Health Workshop. The event

brings together experts to share new

research insights and how they may

relate to future public health policy. This

year’s workshop will focus on what is

known about the risks related to energy

resource transportation and extraction.

Brice Dare (left) and Jane Burns (right) of St. Paul’s Hospital with Kelly Ablog-Morrant (centre), Health Education Director for the BC Lung Association.

10 Planning the next North American Meeting of Leaders in TB Control. As

the Secretariat for the Union (against

TB and Lung Disease) — North America

Region, the BC Lung Association plays

a role on the global stage. In February

2014, the Association is hosting the

Union’s 18th Annual Meeting in Boston.

More than 400 global TB and

respiratory disease experts

will meet to discuss clinical,

diagnostic, scientific and

social changes to TB control.

For more information,

visit bc. lung. ca.

bc.lung.ca 19

8 Organizing our 12th annual Climb the Wall fundraiser. The BC Lung Association’s 12th

annual stair climb fundraiser will take

place on Sunday, March 16th, 2014.

Sometimes called a “vertical road race,”

the unique event challenges over 500

participants to a marathon stair climb

up the 48 floors (or 739 steps) of the

490-foot Sheraton Vancouver Wall

Centre Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

Some people use the event as a

fitness target, others as a great way to

meet new friends and honour those

affected by lung disease. Learn more

at stairclimb. ca.

7 Connecting patients and their families with global experts in COPD. This December, the BC

Lung Association, in collaboration with UBC, St. Paul’s

Hospital, and the Gairdner Foundation, are bringing together

world leaders in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease) research and innovation to discuss the latest

breakthroughs in COPD care. A public education forum will

take place at the same time in order to provide patients and

their families with a rare opportunity to learn from world experts.

9 Working with BC’s building industry to protect BC families from radon.

Throughout October 2013, the BC

Lung Association, together with the

BC Ministry of Health and Office of

Construction Standards, Building and

Safety met with industry stakeholders

to explore new radon-related building

code regulations. Douglas Kladder from

the Centre for Environmental Research

and Technology, who has 25 years of

radon mitigation experience, is working

with the Lung Association to fast track

solutions and deliver radon mitigation

training to BC building professionals.

For more info visit radonaware.ca.

6 Delivering educational webinars on emerging lung health issues. We’ve recently begun offering

a variety of interactive presentations (Webinars).

Participants can view slides, hear the presentation, and interact

with the presenter by phone or text chat. The best part is you

can participate from virtually anywhere. Topics planned include

issues related to air quality and health as well as new research

regarding tuberculosis treatment. Interested? Please email

or call organizer Dr. Menn Biagtan: biagtan@ bc. lung. ca or

1-800-665-5864.

From left to right: Douglas Kladder with the BC Lung Association’s RadonAware team members Hugh Roberts and Dennis Rogoza.

Dr. Menn Biagtan, Program Manager, BC Lung Association

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40063885. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: BC Lung Association, 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2

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