May is Lupus Awareness Month in Canada! Join us this May on Arthritis At Home as we share lupus highlights from #CRArthritis 2026.
Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that affects nearly every part of life, including health, work, family and emotional wellbeing.Lupus’ unknown potential causes are thought to range from a person’s genetics to environmental factors, such as sunlight or certain types of infection, that can make the diagnosis and management of lupus challenging.
In this episode of Arthritis At Home, we are sharing the #CRArthritis interview with Dr. Sasha Bernatsky, a rheumatologist and James McGill Professor and senior scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Bernatsky defines what systemic lupus erythematosus is. She shares key highlights from her poster titled “Ozone and fine particulate matter components of air pollution are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk”. We learn about the different types of fine particulate matter components in air pollution and how ozone can cause problems too.
She concludes by talking about the connection between environment, genetics, and exposure to air pollution and development of SLE. There are ways to protect yourself from air pollution such as looking at the air quality index and limiting your time outdoor at times of poor air quality, regular use of N95 masks, using air filters and closing windows when you are indoor during times when air quality is bad. We should also be cautious of volatile organic carbons, which can be found in household cleaners, diffusers, air fresheners, paints, varnishes, and hobby supplies.
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