Blog | Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring in Athens with AXA Instruments.

07 Jan Blog | Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring in Athens with AXA Instruments.

Air pollution, particularly in urban environments, has emerged as a major public health issue, especially due to the prevalence of particulate matter (PM). PM consists of tiny particles in the air, like dust, soot, and chemicals, which can be inhaled into the lung passageways and enter the bloodstream imposing a great burden not only to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, but to the whole body. PM is linked to a range of serious health issues, including respiratory infections, cardiovascular conditions, such as heart disease, especially in vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly, with and low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest levels of pollution. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 99% of the world’s population lives in areas where air pollution exceeds the WHO guideline limits. As such, in 2019, air pollution was the largest environmental risk to health, accounting for about one in every eight deaths annually (WHO, 2024) . Understanding the sources of air pollution allows for the implementation of targeted strategies to improve air quality, and achieve better public health outcomes.

Source apportionment (SA) is a critical analytical tool used to identify and measure the various sources of PM in the atmosphere. By determining whether PM is mainly coming from sources like traffic, industry, or wood burning, city planners and health officials can create tailored interventions to reduce ambient pollution. A cutting-edge example of advanced source apportionment techniques is the AXA setup using three specialized instruments, which is being currently tested within the MI-TRAP framework by scientists at the DEM-Athens station on the campus of NCSR- Demokritos in Athens, Greece. The configuration employs three specialized instruments: the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM), the Xact, and the Aethalometer. Each instrument targets different components of PM, providing a comprehensive view of air quality. The ACSM analyzes organic and inorganic particulate matter, which is crucial for understanding the chemical composition of PM. The Xact measures trace metals, which are often associated with traffic and industrial emissions. Last, the Aethalometer detects black carbon, an indicator of vehicle exhaust and wood burning. The integration of these instruments allows researchers to gather detailed data on PM composition and sources of emissions. Furthermore, the real-time capabilities of the AXA setup enable continuous monitoring, which, compared to traditional methods that often rely on 24-hour integrated sampling, provides enhanced data.

The AXA setup is paired with SoFi RT software, which processes the data collected by the instruments instantaneously. This capability allows for the identification of pollution sources as they fluctuate throughout the day, providing a dynamic understanding of air quality in the city and enabling researchers and city planners to observe how different emission sources contribute to air pollution at different times throughout the day. 

At the NCSR- D Athens station the monitoring of aerosol properties takes place in a suburban area from sources of direct emissions to vegetation (pine). The area is located in the northeast of the Metropolitan Area of ​​Athens and at an altitude of 270 m.s.l on the slope of Mount Hymettus. The station is partly influenced by the urban area and partly by the incoming air from the northeast which represents the regional aerosol atmospheric conditions.

This experiment represents the first of its kind in Greece, and offers a new approach to managing air pollution effectively through the use of advanced monitoring technologies. By adopting this innovative approach, Athens is setting a precedent for other cities facing similar air quality challenges. The applicability of this approach extends beyond Athens. The methodologies and technologies developed within MI-TRAP framework can serve as a model for other areas struggling with air pollution.