Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/K007319/1
Field evaluation & optimal deployment of portable air pollution measurement systems for assessment of human exposure to traffic-related air pollution
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr I Beverland, University of Strathclyde, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Grant held at:
- University of Strathclyde, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Atmospheric
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- None
- Abstract:
- Context of research: The health effects of air pollution have been subject to intense scientific scrutiny, with exposure consistently associated with hospital admissions & shortening of life expectancy. Exposures over months & years to road traffic-related pollutants (especially small particles & nitrogen dioxide) are particularly important and have formed the basis of air pollution regulation. However the evidence base (especially in the UK) remains limited; and deficiencies remain in the methods used to estimate people's exposures to air pollution which is crucial input for epidemiological studies that seek to quantify links between pollution and ill heath, and how this may be affected by people's socioeconomic circumstances. A key limitation is lack of suitable pollution observations for evaluation of model predictions of fine-scale spatial variations in traffic-related pollution within urban areas. Better knowledge of the spatial variation of traffic-related air pollution enables better policy decisions on its regulation and reduction; and can inform active traffic management. The industrial partners for this CASE studentship (AEA Technology plc & Transport Scotland) have leading roles in air quality assessment & management in urban areas, including work commissioned by and the UK & Scottish Governments. AEA & Transport Scotland's work in these areas will benefit from the improved assessment of intra-urban air pollution climates that this studentship addresses, as detailed in the Case for Support. The urban areas of Scotland are a highly relevant test-bed for this work with existing health cohorts of individuals & marked gradients in exposure to traffic-related air pollution, within socioeconomic categories, to which the studentship output will be applied. Aims & objectives: The aim of the project is to develop novel approaches for field evaluation & design of monitoring networks for deployment of state of the art passive & real-time systems for oxides of nitrogen, ozone, carbon monoxide, particle mass & number count measurement over extended (up to 20 km x 20 km) geographical areas. The project will evaluate & optimise the deployment of state of the art environmental monitoring systems in monitoring networks specifically designed for the evaluation of air pollution exposure models (being developed in an existing project) for use in ongoing epidemiological studies; and in traffic/air quality management. A key research goal is combination of monitoring & modelling science at multiple spatial scales using the joint experience of AEA, Transport Scotland, and the Universities of Strathclyde & Edinburgh, working in parallel with our existing research in a NERC-funded inter-institutional consortium to evaluate regional-scale pollution models. Potential applications & benefits: The development & evaluation of environmental monitoring approaches to characterise pollution climates at fine spatial resolution (100 m x 100 m or smaller) across urban conurbations will enable applications in subsequent end-user activity & research: 1. Traffic-related exposure estimation in epidemiological studies established to study other socio-economic and lifestyle effects on human health (through existing contact with lead epidemiological investigators). 2. Local air quality management (through collaboration with Scottish Environmental Protection Agency / Scottish Government [including intended linkage to the Coordinated Agenda for Marine, Environment and Rural Affairs Science (CAMERAS) partnership initiative: http://www.camerasscotland.org/] Environmental Protection UK, Defra Air Quality Expert Group, & local authorities in study areas). 3. Traffic management (through Transport Scotland LATIS (Land Use & Transport Integration in Scotland) programme: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/analysis/latis). The project will facilitate wider application of the methods developed to other populations & air quality management applications.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/K007319/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Open CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £70,777
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £13,978 | £7,606 | £49,194 |
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