Ultrafine particles around Amsterdam Schipol airport and potential implications for human health Dr. Miriam E Gerlofs-Nijland 1
Disclaimer The contents of this presentation does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the RIVM nor those of the Ministry of Infrastructures and Environment The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose 2 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Introduction (1) TNO study in 2014 indicating Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is important source of UFP concentrations in range of 10-20 nm and finding elevated levels at 7 km distance (Keuken et al. Atmospheric Environment 104 (2015) 132-142 and UFP conference 2015) City of Amsterdam Total Day-time Night-time 3 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Introduction (1) Hudda et al Environ Sci Technol. 2014 4 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Introduction Follow-up: RIVM, ECN, TNO and ESC study in 2015 to get insight in urgency of the problem: Literature review of exposure levels around airports/in cities and potential health effects, and identification of ongoing studies More locations and longer measurement period to assess the absolute UFP levels and the spatial and temporal variation around the airport Modelling of the annual average concentrations of UFP from air traffic around the airport (25x30km) 5 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Monitoring locations Wind roses of measured UFP concentrations for the monitoring period April-June 2015 Highest values points toward airport (runways) Measured and calculated UFP concentrations correspond well Blue = measured; Red = calculated; Scale of the wind roses runs in all instances to 70,000 particles/cm 3. 6 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Exposure distribution of residents in 2014 based on the modelled air traffic related UFP concentration at the home address Exposure class particles/cm 3 Residents Cumulative number of residents 495000 Number % Number 490000 10,000 pt/cm 3 4,800 0,27 4,800 9,000 10,000 6,300 0,36 11,100 8,000 9,000 12,500 0,72 23,700 485000 7,000 8,000 31,100 1,8 54,800 6,000 7,000 56,400 3,2 111,200 5,000 6,000 61,600 3,5 172,800 480000 4,000 5,000 192,300 11,0 365,100 3,000 4,000 363,100 20,8 728,200 2,000 3,000 688,300 39,4 1,416,500 <2,000 332,100 19,0 1,748,600 475000 Population-weighted average UFP exposure: 2,625 pt/cm 3 470000 105000 110000 115000 120000 125000 7 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Results RIVM, ECN, TNO and ESC study (2015) Confirmation of TNO study Peak levels up to 200-300 thousand particles/cm 3 near airport Particle size 10-20 nm versus diesel 30-50 nm Estimated annual contribution of air traffic: about 3,000 #/cc at 15 km of the airport about 15,000 #/cc in neighbourhoods near the airport No health effects studies published in relation to UFP from air traffic Health effects can not be ruled out at the measured UFP levels 8 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Explorative health risk study (2016) On short notice, first impression of health risk of residents Mortality data readily available (registry based DUELS study for the whole of the Netherlands, Fischer et al., 2015) Explorative study into mortality around Schiphol Airport and advice about the feasibility and design of possible follow-up study (Jan-March, 2016). A pattern between the mortality risk and the distance to the airport was not clearly visible The mortality risk in areas around the airport fall within the normal range of variation of mortality risks that can be expected based on risks elsewhere in the Netherlands Assessment relation UFP and mortality not part of the study! Cannot exclude that the UFP contribution of air traffic can lead to an excess mortality risk or impact on morbidity Additional research necessary Research program: various health outcomes, long-term and acute effects 9 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Contours of research programme (2017-2021) 1. Assessment of long-term exposure to UFP near the airport 2. Studies into adverse effects of long-term exposure: Cohort study mortality using exposure estimates at home address medication use (as proxy for specific health effects) birth weight and pregnancy duration. Self reported health and life-style factors 3. Studies into acute effects of short-term exposure Panel study with sensitive group (children) Volunteer study: several hours of exposure to high concentrations UFP (comparing road and air traffic) Toxicological tests using cell cultures 4. Integration and interpretation of results of the differing studies, leading to a clear conclusion about the risks of UFP from air traffic 10 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Volunteer exposures Central question: how does the toxicity of UFP from (mainly taking off) aircrafts compare with that from road traffic? Exclusion PM >200nm Draft approach: On site exposures ~5 hr, intermittent exercise Healthy (at most mild asthmatic) young volunteers Pre- and post and next day health surveillance Source exposure depends on wind direction 11 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Proposed measures of effects Type Lung function Heart function Blood pressure eno (inflammation in the lungs) Oxygen saturation blood Urine for biomarkers oxidative stress 12 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Suggested location(s) Take off at south-westerly wind Mainly road traffic with wind from north-west to east Mainly private jets 13 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Suggested location studies volunteers Take-off wind SW Aalsmeerbaan 14 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Mobile Exposure Laboratory and Sampling Previous studies RAPTES Mobile exposure lab 15 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Additional in vitro research Collection particles via a Versatile Aerosol Enrichment System Size fractioned exposures of cells Exposure either on site of off site (TBD) Cell exposure to aerosols 16 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Range finding study samples Los Angeles To get an idea about the toxic potency of aircraft UFP UFP samples collected near Los Angeles International airport as well as at the University of Southern California (major traffic impact) 5 weekly samples in parallel 17 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Preliminary results Oxidative potential per unit mass - antioxidant LAX (average 5.2 +/- 1.8 ug/m 3 ) USC (average 6.1 +/- 2.8 ug/m 3 ) downwind of the I-110 1 2 3 4 5 Weekly samples 160μL 12.5μg/mL 18 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Preliminary results Oxidative potential per cubic meter - free radicals LAX USC 1 2 3 4 5 Weekly samples 19 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Preliminary results Pro-inflammatory effect in Human Bronchial Cells IL-8 24h 10 μg/ml At sub- cytoxicity levels 1 2 3 4 5 Weekly samples 20 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Work in progress Range finding will be extended with more UFP sources Information will be used to design main study 21 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017
Acknowledgement Nicole Janssen Danny Houthuijs Ruiwen He Daan Leseman John Boere Paul Fokkens Miriam Gerlofs-Nijland Flemming R. Cassee Constantinos Sioutas Farimah Shirmohammadi Arian Saffari 22 UFP EFCA 11 May 2017