Author Archives: Blair

Fact-checking the Wilderness Committee narrative about the recent oil spill at the Trans Mountain Sumas Pump Station

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Blair

Last weekend the Trans Mountain Pipeline had a spill at its Sumas Pump Station in Abbotsford. According to Trans Mountain the Initial estimates are that 150-190 cubic metres (940-1195 barrels) of light crude was released and was fully contained on … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Understanding Health Canada’s advice about wearing masks in public – let’s try this again

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Blair

Yesterday Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam provided further guidance on wearing masks to protect against the Coronavirus. Her new advice was Canadians should wear a mask as an “added layer of protection” whenever physical distancing is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

My review of “Planet of the Humans” – A Michael Moore documentary that does some things well and others really badly but is true to the Michael Moore legacy

Posted on April 28, 2020 by Blair

Like every interested interested environmental observer, I carved out some time to finally watch “Planet of the Humans” by Jeff Gibbs (executive producer Michael Moore) and having watched it I came out with mixed feelings. The best description I can … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

No Rising Carbon Dioxide Concentrations will not make us Stupider – Confusing Acute versus Chronic effects of Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentrations on Human Cognition

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Blair

I am a professional Chemist whose practice includes occupational health and safety and risk assessment. I did my first indoor air assessment involving “sick building syndrome” in 2001 and have done countless indoor air assessments in the last two decades. … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

How new puritans, petty bureaucrats and irresponsible activists risk eroding the public will necessary to fight Coronavirus

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Blair

Watching and reading the news this weekend three stories caused me a lot of worry. Consider the following three headlines: Physical distancing ‘loopholes’ need to stop, Ottawa health official says; Oakville, Ont., family hit with $880 ticket after going rollerblading; … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

More on Coronavirus PPE – This time let’s talk about gloves

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Blair

I am an Environmental Chemist. My work involves exposure to toxic and/or corrosive chemicals. Prior to my current professional position, I worked at the University of Victoria teaching first year students in their first university laboratory course. As a Professional … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Why public health officials advise against masks to protect from the Coronavirus – my thoughts using lessons learned from asbestos exposure

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Blair

A heated debate has arisen about wearing masks in public to help protect against the Coronavirus. Our health authorities have been advising against general mask use but have not been very effective at explaining why general mask use is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemistry and Toxicology, Uncategorized | 15 Comments

Winding Down BC’s Fossil Fuel Industries – another CCPA report that just doesn’t cut it

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Blair

This morning I was directed to a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). As I have written previously, every time I get a notification about one of their reports, I hope that it will present an evidence-based analysis … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Climate Change, LNG, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

On civil disobedience, uncivil obedience and understanding the limits of legitimate protest

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Blair

As many of my readers know, I have been environmental activist for a long time. As an activist I learned a lot about what you can and cannot legally do at a protest. It is through this lens that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

Fractures in the Bridge – Another disappointing CAPE report, this time on hydraulic fracking

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Blair

Regular readers of this blog know of my ongoing frustration with the MDs at the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). No group has so consistently disappointed me with the variance between the reports they are capable of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments