Case Studies

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Courtesy of BAM

A new ISO standard on the identification of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NP), defined as having one or more dimension of 1-100 nm, are used in a range of modern products, including cosmetics, sunscreen, coatings for solar cells, and materials for water treatment. A factor for their extensive use is the greater chemical activity imparted by their large surface area relative to their si...

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In the centre of the frame, an air monitoring station is attached to a pole. It consists of a grey metal box with a handle pointing towards the viewer and three covered pylons, carrying sampling equipment, protruding from the top, as well as a small silver cylinder. In the background there is the canopy of a full, green tree, and a blue sky filled with soft clouds

A new facility for ambient-like aerosols

Particulate matter (PM) in air – such as dust, soot, and smoke – poses risks to both human health and the environment. It is estimated that over 500,000 deaths in Europe every year are caused by PM exposure and areas of high PM concentration are associated with reduction in life expectancy of 12-36 months. PM is typically monit...

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In the early morning light a tractor in the foreground is spraying pesticide over rows of low plants in a large open field

Developing the technology to accurately measure ammonia

Ammonia (NH3), a colourless, reactive gas, can cause substantial health damage due to its adverse effects on air quality. Once released into the atmosphere, it can form fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that has been linked to tens of thousands of premature deaths annually. It can also be absorbed by soils and plants, damaging th...

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The BTS-Solar array spectroradiometer deployed at the 19ENV04 EMPIR MAPP field campaign at Izaña, Tenerife, September 2022

Improving the measurements used to protect atmospheric ozone

Ozone, comprised of three linked oxygen atoms, is generated in the stratosphere by the action of solar radiation on oxygen gas, and absorbs 99% of the sun’s biologically harmful UV-B radiation (280 - 315 nm) that is a cause of skin cancers in humans. A rare molecule, it is concentrated in a band around 20-25 km above sea level...

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Credit: Kromek

Mobile radiation detectors for public security

Ionizing radiation can cause sickness or even death in those exposed to it. Nuclear incidents can arise by accident or, potentially, by direct acts of terrorism. In both scenarios an accurate knowledge of the amount and type of radiation present is important to allow appropriate decisions and introduce countermeasures. Static ...

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The CEGAM transportable air-sampling system. Credit: NUVIA

Improving Europe’s response to nuclear incidents

Major nuclear disasters are rare but when they occur large amounts of radionuclides, are released. In 1986 explosions at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) covered an area of Europe greater than 200 000 km2 with radioactive caesium and other radioactive nucleotides. Twenty-five years later, in 2011, a tsunami disrupted the...

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