Tag: air pollution

Elemental Carbon (EC) vs. Black Carbon (BC): A Distinction in Measurement and Terminology

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

The terms Elemental Carbon (EC) and Black Carbon (BC) are both used to describe the product of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biomass, and biofuels, which is a significant component of aerosols (airborne particulate matter). While often used interchangeably in general discussion, they represent distinct concepts primarily tied to their respective measurement methodologies. Understanding this difference is crucial in air quality monitoring, climate science, and health studies.

Elemental Carbon (EC): The Reference Method

Elemental Carbon (EC) is the term associated with the reference method for measuring this specific fraction of carbonaceous aerosol.

  • Measurement Method: EC is quantified using thermal-optical analysis. This technique relies on the sequential heating of a filter sample to different temperatures in different atmospheres (non-oxidizing and oxidizing) to distinguish carbon fractions.
  • Standard Protocol: The EN 16909 standard is a prominent European standard for the determination of EC (and Organic Carbon, OC) in ambient air, often employing the thermal-optical reference technique.
  • Specific Protocol: The EUSAAR_2 thermal protocol is a common, specific thermal-optical protocol used to define the temperature steps and atmospheres for the measurement.
  • Charring Correction: A critical part of the thermal-optical method is the charring correction, typically based on the transmittance (or reflectance) of a laser beam through the filter. This corrects for the formation of “pyrolyzed” or “charred” organic carbon during the heating process, which can otherwise be misclassified as EC.
  • Definition: Conceptually, EC represents the carbon in its pure, elemental form—the refractory, graphitic, or amorphous carbon that is the most stable at high temperatures.
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Unveiling Urban Health: The ISGlobal Ranking of Cities and its Healthy Urban Design Index (HUDI)

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

In an era where urban populations continue to swell, understanding the intricate relationship between city design and public health is fundamental. The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) has emerged as a leading voice in this field with its “ISGlobal Ranking of Cities” and the innovative “Healthy Urban Design Index (HUDI).” This comprehensive tool sheds light on the health impacts of urban exposures like air pollution, noise pollution, and access to green spaces across nearly 1,000 European cities.

The ISGlobal Ranking of Cities is more than just a list; it’s a dynamic project aimed at quantifying the health burdens attributable to urban and transport planning. It evaluates various environmental exposures and their associated mortality, presenting cities from the highest to lowest mortality due to these factors. You can explore the tool directly on the ISGlobal Ranking of Cities website.

At the heart of this initiative is the Healthy Urban Design Index (HUDI). The HUDI is a composite score that meticulously assesses the extent to which the configuration of European cities supports the health and well-being of their inhabitants. It examines 13 key indicators across four domains: urban design, sustainable transport, environmental quality, and green space accessibility. These indicators include factors such as urban compactness, housing density, walking and cycling infrastructure, public transport availability, air pollution levels, capacity to mitigate heat, and accessibility of green spaces. Each city receives a score between 0 and 10 for each indicator, culminating in an overall HUDI score.

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A Compromised Approach to Indoor Air Quality Assessment

Sotirios Papathanasiou2 Comments

Professionals in the field of indoor air quality sometimes compromise the accuracy of their assessments by opting for short-term sampling periods. While quick measurements can provide preliminary insights, they may not accurately reflect the dynamic nature of indoor air quality. Factors such as occupancy patterns, ventilation systems, and external influences can significantly impact pollutant concentrations over time. By relying on brief sampling periods, professionals risk drawing incorrect conclusions about long-term exposure risks and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of indoor air quality, it is essential to employ continuous monitoring techniques or extended sampling periods that capture the full range of variations in pollutant levels.

Common Misconceptions about Air Quality Monitoring

A prevalent misconception in the field is the practice of taking short-term air samples, often lasting 10 minutes or an hour, to assess indoor air quality. While this approach might provide a snapshot of conditions at a specific moment, it fails to capture the full picture of air quality fluctuations over time. Such limited data can lead to inaccurate conclusions and potentially miss critical issues that may arise during occupied or unoccupied periods or under different operational conditions.

Comprehensive Air Quality Monitoring: A Holistic Approach

To effectively evaluate indoor air quality, a more comprehensive approach is required. Continuous monitoring systems equipped with sensors capable of measuring various pollutants, including carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and temperature and humidity, offer a more accurate and insightful assessment.

These systems can collect data at regular intervals, providing real-time insights into air quality trends and enabling timely interventions to address any issues that may arise.

Specific Pollutants and Monitoring Techniques

Different pollutants require specific monitoring techniques:

  • Particulate Matter: Regulatory limits for PM2.5 are commonly specified for 24-hour or annual averages. Consequently, sampling protocols should be designed to capture these temporal scales. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established guideline limits of 5 μg/m³ for the annual mean and 15 μg/m³ for the 24-hour mean of PM2.5.
  • Radon: Radon limits are based on annual concentrations. To accurately assess the average annual radon level in a home, it’s crucial to strategically place radon measurement devices in areas where occupants spend the most time, such as bedrooms, living rooms, and basements. The measurement period should ideally be at least 91 days to ensure a reliable estimate of the average annual exposure. However, to ensure an accurate assessment of the average annual radon level in a home, Health Canada recommends conducting radon tests over a period of 3 to 12 months. This timeframe allows for a comprehensive evaluation of radon fluctuations throughout the year and provides a reliable estimate of long-term exposure.
  • Gases: In many cases a diffusion tube, which is a scientific instrument designed to passively measure the concentration of specific gases (VOCs, NO2, etc.) in the air, is commonly used to track average air pollution levels over periods ranging from days to approximately a month. It’s important to note that longer sampling times generally improve the detection limits for low-concentration analytes, but they can also increase the risk of breakthrough, where analytes exceed the adsorbent capacity of the tube. Therefore, the optimal sampling time should be determined based on the specific analytical requirements and the characteristics of the sampling site. Additionally, continuous sensors, such as electrochemical, metal oxide, and UV absorption sensors, are employed to measure indoor gas concentrations. To ensure appropriate assessment against regulatory standards, the sampling duration should align with the specific timeframes established by these standards. For example, WHO has set a 24-hour limit of 25 μg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and an 8-hour limit of 100 μg/m³ for ozone (O₃).
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2): CO2 monitoring in indoor spaces is essential for maintaining optimal ventilation rates and occupant well-being. An absolute threshold of around 800 or 1000 ppm has been established as a guideline for safe CO2 levels. To accurately assess CO2 concentrations, measurements should be taken when the room is fully occupied. This is because CO2 levels are primarily influenced by human activity, and empty spaces will not provide meaningful data. By monitoring CO2 levels during periods of maximum occupancy, we can ensure that the established threshold is not exceeded, reducing the risk of negative health impacts associated with poor indoor air quality. In certain cases, activities like cooking or burning candles can also contribute to elevated CO2 levels, necessitating additional monitoring considerations.

Air quality within buildings is not static; it fluctuates throughout the day due to various factors such as occupancy, activities, materials used, and environmental indoor and outdoor conditions like temperature, humidity, and air pressure. By understanding the dynamic nature of indoor air quality and employing appropriate monitoring techniques, building occupants can enjoy healthier and more productive environments.

Benchmarking: The Ultimate Catalyst for Better Air Quality Through Global Standards

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This article first appeared on www.goaqs.org

Air quality is an invisible yet pervasive factor influencing our health, productivity, and overall well-being. While awareness of air pollution is growing, translating that awareness into actionable behavioral change remains a significant challenge. The key to unlocking this transformation lies in the power of benchmarking—a potent tool that, when coupled with global standards like the proposed Global Air Quality Standard (GO AQS), can empower individuals and communities to breathe cleaner air.

The Power of Comparison: Learning from Other Fields

The effectiveness of benchmarking as a driver for improvement is not a new concept; it has long been a cornerstone of success in diverse fields. Consider the world of athletics: elite athletes constantly benchmark their performance—speed, strength, endurance—against competitors in their category. This isn’t about shaming, but about identifying areas for improvement. A runner who sees their sprint times lagging behind others in their age group knows exactly where to focus their training. Similarly, in healthcare, patients track metrics like blood pressure or cholesterol against established healthy ranges or anonymized data from similar patient populations. This comparison provides a clear understanding of their health status, prompting necessary lifestyle changes or medical interventions.

A practical, personal example vividly illustrates this point: as an individual tracking my resting heart rate through an app that allows comparison against +56,000 users worldwide. Seeing a “superb” rating, indicating excellent heart aging, provides tangible positive reinforcement and validates my health efforts. Conversely, a less favorable comparison would flag a problematic area, encouraging focused action. This simple yet powerful mechanism of comparison fosters accountability and motivates behavioral adjustments.

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The Attention Crisis: Why We Can’t See the Air We Breathe

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

We are living in a deep crisis of attention, a diagnosis offered by social experts that has profound implications for our ability to solve the complex problems facing society today. This crisis stems from a confluence of factors – fear, loneliness, hyperstimulation, and constant distractions – all of which cripple our prefrontal cortex, the very part of the brain responsible for critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving. Essentially, we’re so caught up in the noise that we can’t focus on the signal.

This attention deficit isn’t just a personal problem; it’s a societal one. Consider, for example, the pervasive issue of air pollution. While the scientific evidence of its detrimental effects on health and the environment is overwhelming, meaningful action remains frustratingly slow. Why? Because addressing air pollution requires precisely the kind of sustained, important thinking that our attention-deficit society struggles with.

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A DIY Ventilation Solution for Renters

Sotirios Papathanasiou2 Comments

Renting an apartment often means limited control over modifications, especially when it comes to essential systems like ventilation. Poor indoor air quality can significantly impact health and well-being, but drilling holes for traditional ventilation systems is usually out of the question. This article presents a simple, affordable DIY project using a standard air purifier to bring fresh, filtered air into your rented space without any permanent alterations.

The Problem: Stale Indoor Air and Renting Restrictions

Old apartments but also modern, energy-efficient apartments can sometimes suffer from poor ventilation, leading to a buildup of indoor pollutants like CO2, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter. While opening windows is a simple solution, it’s not always practical due to weather, noise, or outdoor air pollution. Renters often face the added challenge of not being allowed to make structural changes, ruling out traditional ventilation installations.   

The DIY Solution: Air Purifier Ventilation

This project uses a standard standalone air purifier in a novel way to introduce fresh, filtered outdoor air. The key components are:

  • A Standard Air Purifier: Choose one with a HEPA filter for particulate matter and a carbon filter for gases. Programmable models are highly recommended for automation.
  • Flexible Tubing and Window Adapter: These connect the air purifier’s intake to a slightly opened window. You can find suitable tubing and adapters at most hardware stores for around €15.
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Heart Month: Understanding the Link Between Air Pollution and Heart Disease

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment


February is American Heart Month and Saint Valentine’s Day, a good time to raise awareness about cardiovascular health. While many factors contribute to heart disease, air pollution is a significant and often overlooked risk factor.

The Link Between Air Pollution and Heart Disease

Air pollution is a complex mixture of gases and particulate matter, some of which are particularly harmful to human health. When we breathe in polluted air, these particles can enter our bloodstream and trigger a cascade of negative effects on the cardiovascular system.   

  • Inflammation: Air pollution can cause inflammation in the blood vessels, which can lead to plaque buildup and hardening of the arteries.   
  • Blood Clots: Exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.   
  • Arrhythmias: Air pollution can disrupt the electrical activity of the heart, leading to irregular heartbeats.   
  • Heart Failure: Long-term exposure to air pollution can weaken the heart muscle and contribute to heart failure.
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Personal Exposure: Tracking Air Quality with Portable Monitors – 6 Months

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

This article documents my personal experiment tracking air quality exposure for 6 months using two portable, low-cost monitors: one for PM2.5 (particulate matter) and the other for CO2 (carbon dioxide). The experiment aimed to gain insights into personal exposure levels and understand the impact of lifestyle and environmental factors on air quality.

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Alveolar Sacs and Particulate Matter: A Deep Dive into Respiratory Health

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment

The respiratory system is a complex network responsible for the vital exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). At the heart of this system lie the alveoli, tiny air sacs where this gas exchange occurs. However, these delicate structures are also vulnerable to the intrusion of harmful particles, which can have serious health consequences.   

The Journey of Inhaled Particles

When we breathe, we inhale a variety of particles, including dust, smoke pollutants, and pathogens. The size of these particles plays a crucial role in determining how far they travel into our respiratory system. Larger particles are typically trapped in the upper airways, while smaller ones can penetrate deeper into the lungs.   

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Top 5 Smartphone Air Quality Apps: 2025 Guide [Updated]

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment

In today’s world, where air pollution is a growing concern, it’s essential to stay informed about the quality of the air we breathe. Fortunately, a variety of smartphone apps can provide real-time air quality data, helping you make informed decisions about outdoor activities and protect your health. Here are five of the top-rated apps to keep you breathing easy:   

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