NCSR “Demokritos” ENRACT implemented the project “Assessment of the impact of emission sources and environmental conditions on the formation of the atmospheric aerosol in the Athens Basin, with emphasis on the hygroscopicity of suspended particles and the effects on human health”, in the framework of the Human Resources Development – Education and Life Long Learning Operational Programme, NSRF 2014-2020.

The aim of the project was (I) to study, for the first time in-depth, the hygroscopic behaviour of the Athens atmospheric aerosol and the sources / environmental conditions that affect it, and (II) to assess the impact of hygroscopicity on the dose of particles deposited into the human body and on the related health effects. The study was based on measurements of a total duration of one year at the urban background station of NCSR “Demokritos”, and included the following actions:

1.  Analysis of field measurement data of selected atmospheric aerosol parameters: hygroscopicity, size, surface and mass distribution, absorption coefficient – equivalent black carbon concentration (BC), mass concentration of PM2.5 and major PM2.5 chemical components (elemental (EC) and organic carbon (OC), and major and trace elements)
2.  Study of the impact of emission sources and environmental conditions on the observed aerosol mixture
3.  Study of the effect of hygroscopicity on the estimation of the deposited dose of particles into the human body.