Transcript Document

COST ACTION 633
Particulate Matter:
Properties Related to Health Effects
Janja Turšič, National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia
Vice Chair MC COST 633
Brussels, 12th October 2004
General information
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Memorandum of Understanding - signed 13.03.2002
Duration: 13.03.2002 – 13.10.2007
Chair: Regina Hitzenberger (Vienna, Austria)
Number of currently participating countries: 18
Signatories: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United
Kingdom
 Turkey – left Action,
 Poland and Sweden – wish to join
Background
Atmospheric particles are one of the major
components
responsible
for
air
pollution.
Epidemiological studies in recent years gave a strong
hint on extended morbidity and mortality due to even
relatively low PM concentrations.
In many European countries research activities as well
as extensive monitoring programs are focused on PM.
Additionally, epidemiological and toxicological studies
focused on different health endpoints and high risk
groups are conducted. Since most of these studies are
done independently at present, intensive exchange of
experiences among experts from different fields would
be of great benefit.
Objective
The objective of COST 633 is looking for
heterogeneities in Europe from the point of view of:
 chemical and physical properties of PM
 particle sources
 influence of PM on health
Tasks of COST 633 are:
•Review existing data and methods
•Identify gaps
•Propose future research activities.
Since there is no financial support (with exception of
STSMs) for research, all activities will be mainly
oriented towards using existing data.
Working groups within COST 633
 WG1: Ambient air quality data
(Jean-Philippe Putaud, JRC, Ispra and Axel Berner, Austria )
 WG2: Health realted issues of particles
(Raimo Salonen, Finland and Wolfgang Kreyling, Germany)
 WG3: Sources, emissions, modeling, economic aspects
(Thomas Kuhlbusch, Germany and Markus Amann, Austria)
WG1: Ambient air quality data
 Collection of existing data in different countries to
highlight regional differences in Europe
 Assessment and review of currently available
techniques (sampling and analysis) with respect to
the needs of the health related studies
 Investigation of contribution of traffic aerosols
(connected to WG3)
WG2: Health related issues of particles
 Collection of existing epidemiological data
associated with ambient air PM (considering
regional, seasonal and source related aspects)
 Review of existing studies on toxicology
 Assessment of the role of human exposure to
ambient air PM in the observed heterogeneities in
health aspects
 Giving recommendations
assessment and management
for
human
risk
WG3: Sources, emissions, modelling,
economic aspects
 Compilation of results connected with PM10, PM2.5,
PM1
 Emissions inventories
 Reviewing source apportionment methods and
models used in EU
 Integrated assessment models (cost effectiveness of
reduction procedures)
Planed results
As a result of looking for heterogeneities, a certain
number of interesting regions in Europe will be
identified. It will be proposed to conduct
measurements and health related studies in these
regions.
The information obtained during COST 633 will be
used for setting environmental standards (regarding
limits and methodologies for monitoring) in Europe
and for defining measures to reduce emissions of
primary particles and precursor substances.
Meetings up till now
1st meeting of the Management Committee
(Brussels, October 14th 2002)
1st meeting of the Steering Group of the Management
Committee
(Vienna, March 13th and 14th 2003)
2nd meeting of the Management Committee
(Ispra, May 13th – 15th 2004)
2nd meeting of the Steering Group of the Management
Committee
(Munich, September 23th and 24th 2004)
Planed activities
3rd meeting of the Management Committee together
with Working group meeting
(Brussels, November 18th – 20th 2004)
(further meetings will be scheduled then)
 COST Action 633 conference
(tentatively set for April 3rd – 7th 2006, Vienna,
Austria)
STSMs - so far there is only one application, but we
intend to use STSMs especially for performing
additional analysis on existing data
Problems
 There was no money available at the beginning
(transfer of COST secretariat from European
Commission to European Science Foundation),
therefore activities actually started with a 1.5 year
delay.
 Since WG2 has only a few active members/experts, it
is necessary to enlarge this group (nomination of
new experts from the medical sector). Extra persons
will be asked to join WG2 from the Brussels meeting
onwards.
 WG3 expressed need for one or two more experts in
the field of modeling.
Dissemination of Results
Types of publications:
 publications arising from projects that got funded
because of a letter of support from the MC or
resulting from STSMs
 joint papers between members of two different
organisations within COST 633
other COST 633 related publications (research and
political statements, reports of national
representatives)
Collaborations
COST Action 633 is interdisciplinary oriented.
Established or planned relationships with other
organizations include:
 AIRNET (A Thematic Network on Air Pollution
and Health)
 CAFÉ (Clean Air for Europe)
 WHO (World Health Organization)
 CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
 NORDAIR (Nordic Aspect of Air Pollution and
Health)