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. In addition to the five following research areas, a number of priority knowledge needs were also identified. The knowledge needs can be viewed by selecting the specific research areas. 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. Cumulative effects are the accumulation of multiple and diverse toxic substances found in the environment and that affect at-risk populations.