POLLUTION PROBEIS A NON-PROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS
in partnership with all sectors of society to protect health by promoting clean air and clean water.
Pollution Probe was established in 1969 following a gathering of 240 students and professors at the
University of Toronto campus to discuss a series of disquieting pesticide-related stories that had
appeared in the media. Early issues tackled by Pollution Probe included urging the Canadian government
to ban DDT for almost all uses, and campaigning for the clean-up of the Don River in Toronto.
We encouraged curbside recycling in 140 Ontario communities and supported the development of the
Blue Box programme. Pollution Probe has published several books, including Profit from Pollution Prevention,
The Green Consumer Guide (of which more than 225,000 copies were sold across Canada) and
Additive Alert.
Since the 1990s, Pollution Probe has focused its programmes on issues related to air pollution and
human health, including a major programme to remove human sources of mercury from the environment.
Pollution Probe’s scope has recently expanded to new concerns, including the unique risks that environmental
contaminants pose to children, the health risks related to exposures within indoor environments,
and the development of innovative tools for promoting responsible environmental behaviour. Work
has also begun on building a comprehensive water programme that will update our understanding of water
management issues and define a set of goals and measures for achieving them.
Since 1993, as part of our ongoing commitment to improving air quality, Pollution Probe has held an
annual Clean Air Campaign during the month of June to raise awareness of the relationships among
vehicle emissions, smog, climate change and related human respiratory problems. The Clean Air Campaign
helped the Ontario Ministry of the Environment develop a mandatory vehicle emissions testing programme.
Pollution Probe offers innovative and practical solutions to environmental issues pertaining to air
and water pollution. In defining environmental problems and advocating practical solutions, we draw
upon sound science and technology, mobilize scientists and other experts, and build partnerships with
industry, governments and communities.