The GIANT project, which focuses on studying different air pollutants, will carry out a wide range of different kinds of measurements to find out how fine particles get into indoor air. Other areas of interest include a variety of indoor and outdoor air particles and gaseous air pollution. Air quality measurements will be carried out in Tampere during November and December in two different daycare centers (Messukylä and Kissanmaa).
"The project has not only focused on daycare centers, but this time they were good choices as both of the daycare centers are a few meters away from a busy road. In addition, the people at these kindergartens were interested in how traffic affects their indoor air", says Researcher Laura Salo from the University of Tampere.
The measurements are made with sensor-type measuring devices, which are small, quiet and safe to use even in a room where people are staying. Different types of measuring devices are placed in one room inside the daycare center. There are also two measuring points on the outside. One is in the playground, and one is near the road.
"We happened to have a situation where we could set up a similar measurement setup in both Kissanmaa and Messukylä daycare centers", Salo notes.
The campaign got off to a successful start
According to Salo, the measurements have got off to a good start. The sensors have been working and sending data to the researchers. Most of the sensors are remotely readable and are checked daily. The researchers also check the other sensors on site every Monday.
"The daycare center staff has been very positive about our measurements and are interested and excited about the investigation. Even the children have come to ask “what are you doing here?” There are always lots of little scientists around when we visit", Salo smiles.
The GIANT project's measurement campaigns will be carried out in other destinations too. There are about ten campaigns planned. At least one of them will use heavier measurement equipment to provide more accurate and detailed data.
The results of the measurement campaigns will help to understand how different sources, building characteristics and weather conditions affect indoor air quality.
Focus on indoor air and lesser-known particles
Indoor air research is a relatively new research trend compared to outdoor air research. Outdoor air has been measured extensively for decades, but in recent years the importance of studying indoor air has been recognized.
”Indoor air has its own sources and air exchange, among other factors, affects how outdoor particles are transported indoors", says Salo.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued a new recommendation that ultrafine particles should be measured. That is why the GIANT project is concentrating at ultrafine particles too.
”We have chosen to look at less well-studied measurements that are not yet included in air quality measurement regulations. These include ultrafine particles, VOCs, black carbon and secondary pollutants.”
In addition to measurement campaigns, the project will include expert interviews with top experts in the field around the world, literature reviews of previous research and equipment development.
The GIANT project is backed by a consortium of experts
GIANT is a multidisciplinary project where the science community, businesses and urban actors combine their expertise to achieve a common goal. In addition to research, the project aims to identify where indoor air quality and technology needs are heading.
Many companies have a lot of research and development activities of their own and are also looking for answers to future needs.
“We are very happy to use the expertise of companies. They employ a wide range of people from a wide range of backgrounds", says Salo.
For example, the ongoing daycare center measurements include measuring equipment from two of the companies involved in the consortium, Airyn Technologies Oy and Pegasor Oy.
“This is how the companies are benefiting us. In return, we benefit them by allowing them to test their equipment and by providing them with reference data for their own measuring equipment.”
The project will also allow the different parties to network and share ideas around a common theme and objective.
“From my point of view, this has been a meaningful project to start, as it has involved a lot of new parties and people for me. I have the feeling that this project has a lot of potential to make something great happen. It's exciting to see what kind of ideas this skilled team will come up with", Salo enthuses.
Author
Julia Koski
GIANT communications
The GIANT project focuses on understanding the role of emerging pollutants, such as ultrafine particles, black carbon, volatile organic compounds, and secondary aerosols in indoor and outdoor spaces, and how the new WHO global air quality guidelines will transform the international markets by creating a need for advanced IAQ solutions.
Comprising a diverse consortium of five research institutes, municipalities, cities, and companies specializing in instrumental development, aerosol measurements, air purification, ventilation, and data visualization, the GIANT project forms a multidisciplinary approach. The overarching themes of the project include outdoor environments, building and construction technologies and design, as well as indoor environments. Strong international collaboration further enriches the project, bringing top-level global expertise and infrastructures to the project.
Research organizations involved in the project are Tampere University, Finnish Meteorological Institute, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, University of Helsinki, and University of Eastern Finland.
Companies involved in the project with parallel company projects are Air0 Oy, Airmodus Oy, Cervi Oy, Gasera Oy, Pegasor Oy, Realin Oy and Velco Oy. Airyn Technologies Oy, the city of Helsinki, the city of Tampere, the city of Vantaa, Dekati Oy, Entos Oy, e-Group Oy, Halton Oy, Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY, Inspector Sec Oy (ISEC), and Lifa Air Oy are cooperation partners in the project. The project is coordinated by Tamlink Ltd.
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