PM 2.5 : mass concentration of particles less than 2.5 µm in size PM 10 : mass concentration of particles less than 10 µm in size RB: Regional Background site SOP: Standard Operating Procedure ST: Street site TRAPCA: Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Childhood Asthma UB: Urban Background site ABSTRACT The ESCAPE study (European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects) investigates long-term effects on human health of exposure to air pollution in Europe. Various health endpoints are analysed by using prospective cohort studies in the study areas. This paper documents the spatial variation of measured NO 2 and NO x concentrations between and within 36 study areas across Europe. In 36 study areas NO 2 and NO x were measured using standardized methods between October 2008 and April 2011. In each study area 14 to 80 sites were selected, which represented a wide range of regional, urban and nearby traffic related pollution contrast. The measurements were conducted for two weeks per site in three different seasons, using Ogawa badges. Results for each site were adjusted for temporal variation using data obtained from a routine monitor background site, which operated continuously, and averaged. Substantial spatial variability was found in NO 2 and NO x concentrations between and within study areas. Analysis of variance showed that 40% of the overall NO 2 variance is attributable to the variability between the study areas and 60% is caused by the variability within the study areas. The corresponding values for NO x are 30% (between the study areas) and 70% (within the study areas). The within-area spatial variability was mostly determined by the differences between traffic and urban background concentrations. The traffic/urban background concentration ratio varied between 1.09 and 3.16 across Europe. The NO 2 / NO x ratio varied between 0.47 (Verona) and 0.72 (Heraklion) across study areas. In study areas in southern Europe the highest median concentrations were observed (Barcelona: NO 2 55 µg/m³), followed by densely populated areas in Western Europe (Ruhr area, The Netherlands). The lowest concentrations were observed in all areas in Northern Europe (e.g. Umeå: NO 2 7 µg/m³). In conclusion, we found significant contrast in annual average NO 2 and NO x concentration between and especially within 36 study areas across Europe. Epidemiological studies should therefore characterize intra-urban contrasts. The use of traffic indicators such as "living close to major road" as an exposure variable in epidemiological studies results in different actual NO 2 contrasts. We would like to thank Kees Meliefste, Geert de Vrieze, Marjan Tewis (IRAS, Utrecht University, The Netherlands) for the sampler preparation, analysis and data management. Furthermore, we thank all those who were responsible for air pollution measurements, data management and project supervision in all study areas and especially:

No abstract

No abstract

A six‐month winter‐spring study was conducted in a suburb of the northern European city of Kuopio, Finland, to identify and quantify factors determining daily personal exposure and home indoor levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5, diameter <2.5 µm) and its light absorption coefficient (PM2.5abs), a proxy for combustion‐derived black carbon. Moreover, determinants of home indoor ozone (O3) concentration were examined. Local central site outdoor, home indoor, and personal daily levels of pollutants were monitored in this suburb among 37 elderly residents. Outdoor concentrations of the pollutants were significant determinants of their levels in home indoor air and personal exposures. Natural ventilation in the detached and row houses increased personal exposure to PM2.5, but not to PM2.5abs, when compared with mechanical ventilation. Only cooking out of the recorded household activities increased indoor PM2.5. The use of a wood stove room heater or wood‐fired sauna stove was associated with elevated concentrations of personal PM2.5 and PM2.5abs, and indoor PM2.5abs. Candle burning increased daily indoor and personal PM2.5abs, and it was also a determinant of indoor ozone level. In conclusion, relatively short‐lasting wood and candle burning of a few hours increased residents’ daily exposure to potentially hazardous, combustion‐derived carbonaceous particulate matter.

No abstract