COST ACTION 633 Particulate Matter: Properties Related to Health Effects

1. 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

2. General information • 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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 for human risk assessment and management

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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)

14. 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)