We have developed the beyond state of the art approaches in all the areas of the project. The impact of these actions will be implemented in later stage of the project. Below the more detailed description of the WPs including scientific studies.
In WP1, the DDA system for separating small nanoparticles from the emissions for characterisation has been developed. We have also gained knowledge on the air pollution properties in different emission environments, including traffic environment in different locations, harbor environment, and airport location. The characterization has been done in comprehensive manner, using both stationary, and mobile laboratory. It has also been seen, how the latest emission technologies, fuels as well as DPF regeneration effects the emissions. The samples from the different cars operated with various aftertreatments and fuels are provided for analyses in WPs focusing on biological responses and health.
In WP2, the samples collected from WP1, including the clean car- campaign Euro 6d samples have been processed, and distributed to other partners, doing biological testing of the samples. Thus far, there has not been as extensive evaluation of different latest emission classification technologies as in TUBE. The emissions have also been analyzed using air-liquid interface exposure system, where also DDA was used in some of the experiments, as well as in different submerged cell cultures. WP2 has also performed a comparison study of three different ALI-systems, used in the project, to increase comparability between the results in different laboratories.
WP3 has continued the work on neuronal cell cultures, using the samples provided by WP1 and 2. The results have thus far revealed differences between fuels with different aromatic content, as well as difference between exhaust treatment technology. Extensive work on different cell models advances the research on air pollution effects to nervous system to a new level beyond state of the art.
In WP4, the experiments have been initiated to study the effect of engine exhaust exposure on clearance mechanisms from brain. The clearance pathways are utmost important in prevention of accumulation of harmful components to brain, which could then lead to e.g. AD development. Before this project, the information on these effects has been very limited. The work will be continuing by the analyses of the brain from exposed mice, and the work is on-going.
In WP5, COVID-19 pandemic delayed the work significantly, but now both the epidemiological and exposure work is on-going. This WP will give significant new information on the human effects of traffic-related air-pollutants.
