Reconstructing Emerging Pollution in Air and Assessing Inhalation Risk

Objetivo

Airborne microplastics (MPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have recently emerged as contaminants of concern due to their persistence, toxicity, and potential health impacts. Yet, almost nothing is known about their historical occurrence in the atmosphere, their co-occurrence in particulate matter, or their long-term role in human exposure.
The REPAIR project (Reconstructing Emerging Pollution in Air and Assessing Inhalation Risk) will be the first to reconstruct atmospheric MPs and PFAS pollution over the last five decades, analyzing unique archives of aerosol filters collected in Montreal, Canada, and multiple European sites, spanning from 1968 to the present. Using state-of-the-art methods combined with advanced data processing, air mass trajectory analysis and polymer usage statistics and related policies the project will reconstruct historical trends in particle size distributions, polymer composition and chemical profiles. Particular emphasis will be placed on fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), directly linked to inhalation risks. For the first time, co-occurrence of MPs and PFAS in airborne particles will be assessed.
Building on this evidence, REPAIR will deliver the first retrospective inhalation risk assessment for MPs and PFAS, estimating exposure levels and health risks for different population groups, with emphasis on vulnerable populations. An open-access visualization platform developed at the University of Navarra will make results accessible to policymakers, stakeholders, and society, supporting effective regulation and informed decision-making.
By combining atmospheric sciences, analytical chemistry, and environmental risk assessment, the project will significantly advance the understanding of airborne emerging pollutants, contributing directly to the Sustainable Development Goals.