A group of scientists in Hamilton has provided insights into the issue of soot accumulation in neighborhoods near the city’s industrial zone.
Residents have long raised concerns about a dirty, black substance covering their properties. The matter resurfaced in early July when locals faced what some described as the most severe fallout in recent memory.
Sarah Styler, an associate professor specializing in environmental chemistry at McMaster University, and Grace Yao, a PhD candidate under Styler’s supervision, are involved in a project titled “What’s the Grime?” aimed at addressing this issue.
Through collaborations with volunteers who gathered samples across the city in 2024 and 2025, the researchers discovered that the soot contains harmful chemicals consistent with coal burning. They observed higher levels of dust and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in proximity to the industrial hub in northeast Hamilton.
Styler collaborated with Environment Hamilton on the research, which received a $15,000 grant from the university in 2024. Styler, residing in east Hamilton, and Yao, based in Corktown, both have personal encounters with the soot issue.
The study, which involved collecting soot samples from 50 volunteers’ homes and analyzing them at four-month intervals, revealed higher dust deposition closer to the industrial sector, along with elevated levels of toxic compounds.
According to Styler, the team’s findings may not be surprising for residents most impacted by the fallout, as it suggests industrial emissions as a probable source. However, locals have expressed frustration over the perceived lack of official information on the matter.
The study highlighted the presence of PAHs in higher concentrations during winter compared to summer, indicating seasonal variations. Styler emphasized that coal combustion plays a significant role in producing the PAHs observed.
The research team plans to expand the study to include 200 volunteers, explore additional compounds in the soot, and investigate effective cleaning methods. They will present their results at a community meeting on Aug. 20 and aim to share more findings post peer-review publication.