UFIPOLNET - Project

What’s the meaning of UFIPOLNET?

Ultrafine particle size distributions in air pollution monitoring networks

Why nanoparticles?

Health experts say that high concentrations of ultrafine particles in ambient air cause heart attacks and premature deaths. These particles are so small, that they can be inhaled and travel via the blood stream to the inner organs. Ultrafine particles are 1000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They have a diameter less than 100 nanometer. Ultrafine particles are measured only in a few measuring stations of routine measuring networks in Europe today. There is evidence that the number concentration of ultrafine particles varies much stronger spatially, with a range of an order of magnitude going from rural to hot spot (near high traffic load) levels.

Who are the partners?

The Project will bring together 6 partners from 3 countries. They are air quality experts and researchers from routine measuring networks, from small and large sized enterprises. Benficiary is the LfUG Saxon State Agency for Environment and Geology. Partner are: IfT Leibniz Institute of Tropospheric Research, Leipzig; CHMI Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Prague; ITM Department of Applied Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science unit, Stockholm University; GSF Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit GmbH, Munich; TOPAS GmbH, Dresden; TSI GmbH, Aachen.

Who finances the EU-LIFE-Project UFIPOLNET?

UFIPOLNET was rendered possible by the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Community LIFE. Every partner contributes to the project as well.

Why in Europe?

The thematic strategy on air pollution, which will be adopted by the European Commission as the final outcome of the CAFE (Clean Air for Europe) programme, asked the member states to carry out more research in the coming years to establish more valid information on ultrafine particles with regard to both concentration levels and adverse health effects. To learn more about the effects on the environment and on human health, comparable data all over Europe are necessary.

Objectives

Measuring device for ultrafine particles; suitable for residential areas in Europe; affordable (lower price); easy to use;  stable delivery of reliable data; reduced data amount per time;  production in small series; documentation of measuring activities over several years; publications for general public and scientific community; contact to interested groups, like CAFE and VDI.

Measuring Sites

The new device will measure particle size distributions at four places with high traffic load in Sweden, Germany and in the Czech Republic:  Stockholm (Hornsgatan);  Augsburg (Friedeberger Str.); Dresden (Schlesischer Platz); Prague (Strahov tunnel).