AIRNET: A thematic network on air pollution and health-airnet

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 02.0327-1

Key words (English)

Environmental Protection; Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Safety

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK4-CT-2001-00441

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.4 Environment and health

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Universität Basel
Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin

Abstract (English)

The health effects of exposure to air pollution have attracted much attention in the last decade. Effects of airborne particulate matter, ozone and some other gaseous substances on mortality as well as morbidity endpoints have been documented in large numbers of epidemiological studies. Toxicological concepts on causal components and involved biological mechanisms are beginning to develop. The effects on public health are potentially large; so are the potential costs of abatement when air quality standards will be lowered. The proposed Network will bring together scientists from the field of air quality and health with stakeholders from industry, governments and NGOs to discuss findings from recently completed and ongoing research, to broaden the base for policy development in Europe.

The objective of the Network on Air Pollution and Health is to create a widely supported basis for public health policy related to improving air quality in Europe and regulatory needs to achieve that goal.

Specific objectives are to:
1 develop an interpretation framework for the (final and preliminary) results of research supported by the FP4 and FP5 programmes, as well as nationally fundedstudies;
2 collect, discuss and interpret the (final and preliminary) results of research supported by the FP4 and FP5 programmes, as well as nationally funded studies3 draw policy-relevant conclusions from the activities mentioned.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 02.0327-1