Conference Agenda
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WG4: Air pollution, health and regulations
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| Presentations | |||
1:45pm - 2:15pm
MO3-2: 1 The role of particulate matter on short-term cognition, education, and productivity 1School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; 2School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; 3Dept of Environmental Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80203, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK Air pollution is the leading environmental health risk, with emerging evidence linking it to cognitive decline. A study on 26 adults found that exposure to high particulate matter (PM) levels for one hour led to reduced selective attention and emotion recognition four hours later. This impairment may result from neuroinflammation triggered by PM entering the brain or causing systemic inflammation. Long-term exposure is also linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. With potential impacts on education, work productivity, and healthcare costs, addressing air pollution is essential. Strengthening environmental policies can help protect cognitive function and reduce societal burdens.
2:15pm - 2:30pm
MO3-2: 2 Air pollution and health surveillance in England – A decision making tool UK Health Security Agency, United Kingdom We are conducting surveillance of air pollution – mostly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – and health. We have developed the pilot air pollution vulnerability indicator focusing on the susceptibility to ambient air pollution by age, socioeconomic status (SES) and location related to air pollution concentrations. The Air Quality and Health dashboard collects, analyses and publishes health indicators associated with air quality across England in one tool as part of a whole system approach; the purpose of this is to inform and support local decision-making for improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities associated with air pollution exposure.
2:30pm - 2:45pm
MO3-2: 3 ARE CURRENT REGULATIONS TARGETING THE RIGHT POLLUTANTS? On the role of chemical composition, ultrafine particles, and gas phase components for toxicity of exhaust emissions – results from the ULTRHAS project 1Norwegian Institute of Public health, Norway; 2University of Oslo, Norway; 3University of Rostock, Germany; 4Helmholtz Centrum Munich, Germany; 5University of Fribourg, Switzerland; 6University of Eastern Finland, Finland; 7University of the Bundeswehr , Germany; 8Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland; 9www.ultrhas.eu The EU project ULTRHAS has explored effects of ultrafine particles and gas phase emissions from different transport modes and fuel types: passenger cars (gasoline, diesel and natural gas), aviation (JP-8 jet fuel), and ship (heavy-fuel oil and marine gas-oil). Fresh and photochemically aged emissions was extensively characterized, and toxicity have been tested in ALI 3D lung tissue models and secondary tissue models. Emissions from different sources vary considerably in physicochemical characteristics and toxicity, and this was further altered by photochemical ageing. Primary VOC/SVOC emissions and PM chemistry appeared to be more important for biological effects than particle mass- or number-concentration.
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