WP1: Traceable methods for the calibration of MPSS, OPSS and APSS WP2: Novel calibration procedures for automatic pollen monitors and validation with field campaigns WP3: Reference samples for cascade impactor sampling and TXRF WP4: Qualification of portable instruments for ambient aerosol measurements WP5: Creating Impact WP6: Management and coordination WP1: Traceable methods for the calibration of MPSS, OPSS and APSS The aim of this work package is to use test aerosol particles to develop traceable methods for the calibration of OPSS and APSS to determine mass and number concentration, as well as the number size distribution. In addition to characterise non-radioactive bipolar charge conditioners in MPSS and based on this the pre-normative definition of their performance criteria. Specifically, the task aims are: Task 1.1. to investigate (i) the state-of-the-art knowledge of non-radioactive bipolar charge conditioners, and (ii) a suitable reference laboratory aerosol for performance testing of such charger conditioners in order to establish common procedures at ambient aerosol concentration levels. (iii) In addition, to quantify the uncertainty in the bipolar charge equilibrium of non-spherical particles such as soot agglomerates. Task 1.2. to perform a year-long test of non-radioactive bipolar charge conditioners using ambient aerosols in order to obtain their long-term stability and to suggest recommendations for the pre-normative definition of their performance criteria Task 1.3. to develop a calibration guide for an easy-to-use traceable calibration procedure for OPSS and APSS in order to determine mass, number concentration and distribution. WP2: Novel calibration procedures for automatic pollen monitors and validation with field campaigns The aim of this work package is to develop new calibration procedures for automatic pollen monitoring instruments based on fluorescent polystyrene latex and real pollen particles (at concentrations < 1 /cm3, and particle sizes of 0.5 μm up to > 20 μm, with target uncertainties of < 10 %). In addition, comparisons to reference instruments in the field will be used to characterise instrument responses to pollen. Specifically, the task aims are: Task 2.1. to develop a guide for new lab-based calibration procedures for automatic pollen monitors based on transparent and fluorescent polystyrene latex particles (PSL). Task 2.2. to (i) standardise a method for airborne pollen generation, i.e. establish a “soft” method which does not damage the delicate pollen particles and (ii) develop a mobile transfer standard for evaluating the performance of automatic pollen monitors in the field. Task 2.3. to (i) “train” the ‘artificial intelligence’ algorithms that are used to identify pollen with data from automatic pollen monitors with known pollen particles (i.e. supervised machine learning) and (ii) compare automatic pollen monitors in the field via comparisons with the current CEN reference method for pollen analysis (which is based on offline microscopy). The following automatic bioaerosol monitors (i.e. automatic pollen monitoring instruments) are currently commercially available and will be used in WP2: Rapid-E (Plair SA, Switzerland), portable instrument with detection based on light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy and artificial intelligence algorithms (available at partner EDI) Poleno (Swisens, Switzerland), portable instrument with detection based on light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, holography and artificial intelligence algorithms (available at partner EDI) WIBS (DMT, USA), portable instrument with detection based on light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy. Detection limited to <30 μm particles (to be provided by collaborator DMT to the project) KH3000 (Yamatronics, Japan), portable, based on light scattering, is optimised to detect Japanese cedar pollen (available at partner EDI) BAA500 (Helmut Hund GmbH, Germany), is not portable, based on microscopy and automatic image analysis (to be provided by collaborator Helmut Hund GmbH to the project). WP3: Reference samples for cascade impactor sampling and TXRF The aim of this work package is to develop certified reference substrates and traceable measurement techniques for the quantification of regulated and unregulated elements in ambient air with cascade impactor sampling and XRF. WP4: Qualification of portable instruments for ambient aerosol measurements The aim of this work package is to develop portable instruments and software for the measurement of ambient aerosol particle concentrations under variable environmental conditions. The knowledge gained will be applied to other appropriate classes of portable instruments by the production of suitably adapted procedures. Specifically, the task aims are: Task 4.1. to improve portable particle counting instrument accuracy and reliability by developing compensating algorithms for environmental changes. Task 4.2. to improve portable BC instrument accuracy and reliability by developing compensating algorithms for environmental changes. In addition to this, state-of-the-art wood stove test facilities will be used to investigate the performance and limits of BC detection of selected portable BC instruments during high intensity BC conditions from a relevant carbonaceous source. Task 4.3. to use the selected portable particle counters and BC instruments from Tasks 4.1 and 4.2 in field campaigns and in a wind tunnel facility, in order to gain the data necessary for the development of the compensation algorithms for environmental changes in Task 4.1 and 4.2. Task 4.4. to verify the potential improvements of the selected portable particle counters and BC instruments portable instruments in Tasks 4.1 and 4.2 with, a larger field campaign conducted at a European monitoring site with high occurrence of UFP and BC. The results will be used to produce guidelines for portable particle counters and BC instruments and will state whether it is possible to reach the target uncertainly level of 15 % compared to reference equipment. WP5: Creating Impact The aim of this work package is to maximise the impact of the project through a combination of interaction with the main stakeholders and end-users, such as the Member States, regional and international air quality network, operators of monitoring networks, European and national regulatory bodies, the environmental legislation, standardisation committees and working groups, instrument manufacturers, as well as the research community of environmental, atmospheric and epidemiological sciences This includes a two-way information exchange, input into European standards, assisting Member States comply defensibly with existing legislation, evidence based outcome to help formulate improve policy and metrics, practical help and training for end users, as well as facilitating commercial exploitation of the results by European-based businesses. The whole intention of the project is to have a significant and measurable impact on air quality and climate-focussed studies, and on the confidence and comparability with which air quality legislation is delivered across Europe, within the project lifetime. Task 5.1: Knowledge transfer Task 5.2: Training Task 5.3: Uptake and exploitation WP6: Management and coordination Task 6.1: Project management Task 6.2: Project meetings Task 6.3: Project reporting ^ top