Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PAREMPI (Particle emission prevention and impact: from real-world emissions of traffic to secondary PM of urban air)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
The goal of the PAREMPI project is to gain scientific evidence of the real contribution of transport sectors’ emissions to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) levels, and to recommend policies to prevent these emissions. The particles emitted directly from tailpipe not only contribute to pollution immediately but also through chemical reactions in ambient air over minutes, hours and days, leading to formation of new particles and additional particle mass. Both direct tailpipe emissions and the secondary aerosols (SecA) that form later in atmosphere have a significant impact on ambient PM2.5 levels, often exceeding the effect of the initially emitted tailpipe particles alone. The harmful environmental and health impacts of transportation are being addressed through electrification, energy efficiency and carbon-neutral fuels. The tailpipe pollutants are addressed particularly with advanced exhaust aftertreatment systems (EATS). However, some transport sectors, notably aviation and shipping, are difficult to electrify, or adapt for EATS.
Understanding of the total contribution of transport emissions to ambient PM2.5 levels, along with related health aspects, is essential to justify policy recommendations. Therefore, the following specific objectives have been defined:
• Improved estimates of externalities for PM2.5 representing contribution of transport sources.
• A health impact assessment (HIA) for PM2.5 concentrations representing urban/rural regions with different shares of different transport fleet characteristics.
• Development of a digital “ePMI module” (equivalent total PM index) to estimate SecA mass potential based on emissions from transport sources.
• Estimate of European and global scale PM2.5 and nanoparticles from transport with global simulations of SecA and high resolution SecA assessment for two urban regions in Europe.
Furthermore, quantifying of total PM2.5 mass emissions from transport sources, including SecA (organic and inorganic), and estimating the associated externalities, necessitates reliable data. To achieve this, the following specific objectives are set:
• A database on precursor emissions, SecA and toxicity (in-vitro and in-vivo) based on literature, partners’ earlier results and filling the gaps with new complementary measurements combined in database.
• Determining of toxicity of exhaust from transport sectors by measurements with the in vitro exposure system.
During the reporting period, work progressed well. The first version of the database was established using relevant studies from literature for SecA and toxicity related to the transport. Measurements were conducted with seven cars and two trucks. Additionally, the first version of a digital “ePMI module” was developed to estimate SecA mass potential based on emissions from transport sources. The study on aerosol dynamics and experiments on secondary reactions were also completed. Furthermore, a European level evaluation of transport related PM2.5 including SecA, was carried out, and the HIA on PM2.5 progressed. With continued efforts in the next reporting period, the PAREMPI project is expected to generate knowledge, evidence, models, tools to recommend policies to reduce ambient PM2.5 concentrations derived by transport sectors. These results will also assist further research to find solutions and initiate actions to prevent these emissions and gain savings in the related external costs and delivering benefits for both society and the economy.
Understanding of the total contribution of transport emissions to ambient PM2.5 levels, along with related health aspects, is essential to justify policy recommendations. Therefore, the following specific objectives have been defined:
• Improved estimates of externalities for PM2.5 representing contribution of transport sources.
• A health impact assessment (HIA) for PM2.5 concentrations representing urban/rural regions with different shares of different transport fleet characteristics.
• Development of a digital “ePMI module” (equivalent total PM index) to estimate SecA mass potential based on emissions from transport sources.
• Estimate of European and global scale PM2.5 and nanoparticles from transport with global simulations of SecA and high resolution SecA assessment for two urban regions in Europe.
Furthermore, quantifying of total PM2.5 mass emissions from transport sources, including SecA (organic and inorganic), and estimating the associated externalities, necessitates reliable data. To achieve this, the following specific objectives are set:
• A database on precursor emissions, SecA and toxicity (in-vitro and in-vivo) based on literature, partners’ earlier results and filling the gaps with new complementary measurements combined in database.
• Determining of toxicity of exhaust from transport sectors by measurements with the in vitro exposure system.
During the reporting period, work progressed well. The first version of the database was established using relevant studies from literature for SecA and toxicity related to the transport. Measurements were conducted with seven cars and two trucks. Additionally, the first version of a digital “ePMI module” was developed to estimate SecA mass potential based on emissions from transport sources. The study on aerosol dynamics and experiments on secondary reactions were also completed. Furthermore, a European level evaluation of transport related PM2.5 including SecA, was carried out, and the HIA on PM2.5 progressed. With continued efforts in the next reporting period, the PAREMPI project is expected to generate knowledge, evidence, models, tools to recommend policies to reduce ambient PM2.5 concentrations derived by transport sectors. These results will also assist further research to find solutions and initiate actions to prevent these emissions and gain savings in the related external costs and delivering benefits for both society and the economy.
The PAREMPI project has progressed as planned, successfully achieving four milestones on time. The first version of the database was compiled, including relevant studies from the literature on both SecA and toxicity related studies. Database is further refined by adding data from complementary measurements that address identified knowledge gaps. Measurements were conducted with seven cars (including hybrid, diesel, gasoline and CNG technologies) and two diesel trucks. These measurements included fresh exhaust gases, semi-volatiles, particles, SecA and toxicity. The results already reveal previously unknown emission characteristics, such as SecA formation and toxicity of exhaust from the latest hybrid cars under real-driving conditions at cold ambient temperatures. For cars, measurements in laboratory were carried out at +23, +35 and -9 °C with cycle simulating the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) measured on-road. For trucks, the on-road routes extended up to Lapland bringing knowledge on emissions on cold and dark winter conditions. The measurement setup was built in a container placed on the truck's semi-trailer. Most vehicles met the latest European emission standards. Additionally, measurements for the marine and aviation sectors were planned.
A significant achievement was the development of the first version of the digital ePMI module, designed to estimate the SecA mass potential based on emissions from transport sources. This is a combination of the aerosol dynamics module and a novel new particle formation data based on explicit simulations of ion-mediated ammonia-sulfuric acid molecule cluster formation using the Atmospheric Cluster Dynamics Code (ACDC). The first version of the ePMI module was tested and evaluated for representative European conditions, for different seasons of the year. The reactions of the exhaust species in the atmosphere, the new particle formation, growth and evaporation dynamics during the complete exhaust dilution and cooling stages from the tailpipe to urban background conditions were studied. Mechanisms for several anthropogenic volatile organic compounds were generated and evaluated.
Evaluation of externalities for total PM2.5 from transport sources to society, including SecA, is progressing as planned with the main efforts scheduled in the later phase of the project. The work on HIA focuses on mortality and relevant morbidity, particularly from PM2.5 for both primary and secondary aerosols. Baseline health data for all EU countries is being gathered and the most recent literature on concentration-response functions has been updated, reviewed, and synthesized.
Activities on the policy recommendations progressed. The first “Transport emissions policy workshop” was successfully held on 14 May 2024, bringing together participants from research institutes and universities, ministries and industry across several countries. The program included presentations by the parallel EU funded projects and a panel discussion with the policy makers and industry representatives. This event facilitated the exchange of valuable insights on ongoing activities and highlighted recent political and commercial developments from various stakeholders.
The advancements in the PAREMPI project serve as a solid cornerstone for the continued work, with the expected results and impacts remaining relevant.
A significant achievement was the development of the first version of the digital ePMI module, designed to estimate the SecA mass potential based on emissions from transport sources. This is a combination of the aerosol dynamics module and a novel new particle formation data based on explicit simulations of ion-mediated ammonia-sulfuric acid molecule cluster formation using the Atmospheric Cluster Dynamics Code (ACDC). The first version of the ePMI module was tested and evaluated for representative European conditions, for different seasons of the year. The reactions of the exhaust species in the atmosphere, the new particle formation, growth and evaporation dynamics during the complete exhaust dilution and cooling stages from the tailpipe to urban background conditions were studied. Mechanisms for several anthropogenic volatile organic compounds were generated and evaluated.
Evaluation of externalities for total PM2.5 from transport sources to society, including SecA, is progressing as planned with the main efforts scheduled in the later phase of the project. The work on HIA focuses on mortality and relevant morbidity, particularly from PM2.5 for both primary and secondary aerosols. Baseline health data for all EU countries is being gathered and the most recent literature on concentration-response functions has been updated, reviewed, and synthesized.
Activities on the policy recommendations progressed. The first “Transport emissions policy workshop” was successfully held on 14 May 2024, bringing together participants from research institutes and universities, ministries and industry across several countries. The program included presentations by the parallel EU funded projects and a panel discussion with the policy makers and industry representatives. This event facilitated the exchange of valuable insights on ongoing activities and highlighted recent political and commercial developments from various stakeholders.
The advancements in the PAREMPI project serve as a solid cornerstone for the continued work, with the expected results and impacts remaining relevant.
Comprehensive measurements of gaseous and particulate emissions as well as secondary aerosols and toxicity on-road with heavy-duty trucks.
Database with precursor emissions and secondary aerosols from all transport sectors (version 1).
A digital “ePMI module” to estimate SecA mass potential based on emissions from transport sources (version 1).
Database with precursor emissions and secondary aerosols from all transport sectors (version 1).
A digital “ePMI module” to estimate SecA mass potential based on emissions from transport sources (version 1).