Nanoparticles from non-exhaust emissions: lung deposition and potential health impacts

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Air pollution poses a huge burden on public health, causing around 7 million deaths per yearworldwide. A major contributor to ambient air pollution is the transport sector. Vehicles sold inEurope are subject to strict limits on the emission of tailpipe pollutants. Regulated emissions includenon-methane hydrocarbons, CO, NOx and particulate matter (PM). Besides tailpipe emissions, thetransport sector emits PM through brake abrasion, tyre wear, road surface wear, and resuspensionof dusts deposited on the road surface. All these processes together are referred to as "nonexhaust"emissions and are currently not regulated.Significant efforts have been put in place by the automotive industry to meet regulatory standards.With the ongoing transitions to hybrid and electric vehicles, tailpipe emissions will continue to fallbut non-exhaust emissions are expected to rise. While a large body of research has been alreadydone on the quantification of tailpipe emissions, their atmospheric fate, and their impact on publichealth, such information for non-exhaust emissions is currently scarce.The aim of this PhD project is to fill the gap of knowledge on non-exhaust emissions, through an in depthsize and chemical characterisation and by assessing their intrinsic ability to cause lunginflammation and exacerbate diseases.