Sciensano & Particulate matter

The “Risk and health impact assessment” service of Sciensano examines the relationship between human health and air quality, taking into account the simultaneous impact of weather conditions and socio-economic factors.

To do so, we:

• analyses existing databases
• sets up epidemiological studies
• develops various biomarkers of exposure and effect

Sciensano works hand in hand with the different regional units specialised in the field of the environment. In Belgium, each region has a network of measuring stations operated by:

• the Walloon Air and Climate Agency (AWAC) and the Scientific Institute of Public Service (ISSeP) in the Walloon Region
• Brussels Environment in the Brussels Region
• the Vlaamse Milieu Maatschappij (VMM) in the Flemish Region.

The Belgian Interregional Environment Agency (IRCL — CELINE) oversees the regional units.

Sciensano headed up the BRUXAIR project, designed to study the short-term effects of air pollution on human health. This work was mainly based on the analysis of daily correlations between atmospheric pollutant concentrations and sales of asthma medication.

Sciensano is currently working on the IMPASTRA project, a pilot study conducted in collaboration with Brussels Environment to assess the exposure of a group of people to air pollution and its effects on health. It is based on the use of individual measuring devices, questionnaires and biomarkers.