SOURCE AND TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES IN AFRICAN MEGACITY

Informazioni relative al progetto

SO-TOX

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 101130814

DOI

10.3030/101130814

Progetto concluso il 4 Luglio 2024

Data della firma CE 28 Luglio 2023

Data di avvio 14 Febbraio 2024

Data di completamento 13 Febbraio 2026

Finanziato da

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Costo totale

Nessun dato

Contributo UE

€ 172 618,56

Coordinato da

UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SO-TOX (SOURCE AND TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES IN AFRICAN MEGACITY)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-02-14 al 2026-02-13

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

African countries are home to some of the world’s most polluted cities, where bad air quality is the most potent risk factor for mortality. However, they are nearly unrepresented in the research on air pollution levels and health impacts. Without adequate knowledge of air quality and mitigating the sources of pollution, the problem will only get worse given Africa’s expected population boom. Particulate matter (PM) is classified as the most dangerous form of air pollution. The SO-TOX project aims to contribute to a better understanding of PM levels in the megacity of Luanda, their sources and effects, and to help authorities implement measures. The project has a strong connection with a recent World Health Assembly resolution, which has set actions to address air pollution and its health risks in Africa as a priority.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

Based on a monitoring campaign funded by another project (APAM), which took place in Luanda from June to November 2023, samples of inhalable particulate matter with diameter lower than 10 micrometres (PM10) were subjected to gravimetric quantification and determination of its carbonaceous content by a thermo-optical technique. Daily PM10 concentrations ranged from 20.6 to 108 µg/m3, averaging 59.2 µg/m3. The guideline of 45 µg/m3 recommended by the WHO was exceeded on 70% of days. On average, carbonaceous constituents (organic and elemental carbon, OC and EC, respectively) accounted for 21.6% of the PM10 mass. An OC/EC ratio of 1.13±0.58 was obtained, indicating that traffic is the main emission source.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

The high levels of PM10 observed indicate that the population of Luanda is at risk and that the adoption of air quality improvement plans must be adopted by the authorities. The Angolan Ministry of the Environment must create air quality legislation in line with WHO guidelines and invest in long-term monitoring. The mass fractions of OC and EC obtained suggest that a substantial part of PM10 is inorganic and may originate from mineral dust resulting from soil resuspension, non-exhaust emissions, such as tyre and brake wear, among other sources. The OC/EC ratio close to 1 indicates that traffic is the main source of carbonaceous material. However, to quantify the contribution of the various sources it is necessary to use other analytical techniques to the PM10 samples to obtain the detailed chemical composition and apply a source apportionment model, such as positive matrix factorisation. The application of cytotoxicity tests and the determination of the oxidative potential of samples in the near future will help to obtain scientific evidence on the harmful health effects of PM10 to convince authorities of the need to take action.

SO-TOX cytotoxicity assays

SO-TOX methodology for air quality assessment

SO-TOX methodology for toxixology assessment

SO-TOX framework and thematic

SO-TOX challenge

SO-TOX logo and title