TUBE project: Transport-derived ultrafines and the brain effects

Maria Viola Martikainen*, Päivi Aakko-Saksa, Lenie van den Broek, Flemming R. Cassee, Roxana O. Carare, Sweelin Chew, Andras Dinnyes, Rosalba Giugno, Katja M. Kanninen, Tarja Malm, Ala Muala, Maiken Nedergaard, Anna Oudin, Pedro Oyola, Tobias V. Pfeiffer, Topi Rönkkö, Sanna Saarikoski, Thomas Sandström, Roel P.F. Schins, Jan TopinkaMo Yang, Xiaowen Zeng, Remco H.S. Westerink, Pasi I. Jalava

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)
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    Abstract

    The adverse effects of air pollutants on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are unquestionable. However, in recent years, indications of effects beyond these organ systems have become more evident. Traffic-related air pollution has been linked with neurological diseases, exacerbated cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the exact air pollutant compositions and exposure scenarios leading to these adverse health effects are not known. Although several components of air pollution may be at play, recent experimental studies point to a key role of ultrafine particles (UFPs). While the importance of UFPs has been recognized, almost nothing is known about the smallest fraction of UFPs, and only >23 nm emissions are regulated in the EU. Moreover, the role of the semivolatile fraction of the emissions has been neglected. The Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects (TUBE) project will increase knowledge on harmful ultrafine air pollutants, as well as semivolatile compounds related to adverse health effects. By including all the major current combustion and emission control technologies, the TUBE project aims to provide new information on the adverse health effects of current traffic, as well as information for decision makers to develop more effective emission legislation. Most importantly, the TUBE project will include adverse health effects beyond the respiratory system; TUBE will assess how air pollution affects the brain and how air pollution particles might be removed from the brain. The purpose of this report is to describe the TUBE project, its background, and its goals.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number311
    JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Volume19
    Issue number1
    Early online date28 Dec 2021
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 28 Dec 2021
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Funding

    This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 814978 (TUBE).

    Keywords

    • Air pollution
    • Brain
    • CNS
    • Particulate matter
    • Toxicology
    • Traffic
    • UFP

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