The TSRI promotes existing research partnerships and fosters the development of collaborations between non-government and federal government researchers. These new joint projects focus on emerging issues not adequately addressed by existing research. There are five priority research areas supported by the TSRI, which were established by scientific experts in the private and the public sectors. The research funded by the TSRI includes projects designed to benefit ecosystems and specific populations at risk such as children, Aboriginal people, and the elderly. POPs are chemicals which exist in the environment for long periods of time, can concentrate and accumulate in the food chain, and can travel great distances through the atmosphere.
Air pollutants have an effect on the quality of urban air.
Exposure to airborne pollutants has been linked to a variety of respiratory and cardiac health effects. The knowledge gained through this Initiative will be used to better manage pollutants in Canada and to protect the environment and human health. As a beneficial byproduct, the extensive collaboration between researchers in the private and public sectors minimizes the duplication of research. It also strengthens Canada's contribution to international programs on toxic substances. Each of the TSRI projects undergoes scientific technical peer review.