Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

Spectroscopic Technology for Analysing Nitrogen Dioxide and Urgent Personal exposure measurements (STANDUP)

Primary Funding Agency

Irish Research Council

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Environmental Protection Agency

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

n/a

Project Abstract

Air pollution is by the most serious public health problem caused by environmental factors. In Europe, around 400,000 people die prematurely every year because of air pollution. An individual�s exposure to priority air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) varies strongly with location and activity. Despite its importance, spatial variability of urban air pollutants is not captured by regulatory monitoring. Recently, low cost sensors have stimulated people�s interest in the quality of air where they spend their time. But sensor data quality is poor. Accuracy and specificity are low, and PM sensors are blind to the smallest, most harmful particles. Development of sensors that bridge the price and quality gap between expensive regulatory instruments and cheap, unreliable sensors would therefore be extremely valuable. This project will develop a novel spectroscopic sensor for NO2, a cause of lung cancer, cardiovascular mortality, and increased asthma rates in children. Irish asthma rates are among the highest worldwide. NO2 is strongly associated with diesel emissions and why many European cities fail to meet air quality standards. The sensor will be selective to NO2�s spectral fingerprint and sensitive to PM. The sensor will be validated in an atmospheric simulation chamber and compared against regulatory instruments at an air quality monitoring station. Sensor configurations will be developed for applications in personal exposure assessment and low cost regulatory monitoring. Portable sensors will be applied to study personal exposure of schoolchildren to NO2 and PM inside and outside schools. Representative exposure of Irish commuters to these pollutants by transport mode and route will be quantified. The sensor developed in this project will provide a sound analytical footing for personal exposure measurements. Its application to personal exposure of schoolchildren and commuters will demonstrate the value of such data to inform policy development and transport planning.

Grant Approved

�96,000.00

Research Hub

n/a

Research Theme

Air Science

Start Date

01/10/2020

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/09/2024