MARKOPOLO Ultrafine Particle Measurement Campaign

What is the aim of the study?

The MARKOPOLO study aims to find out whether and how building characteristics and typical residential behaviour influence the composition of indoor air, and how they affect the concentration of ultrafine particles in the air.

Why is this important?

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are particles with a diameter of less than 0.1 micrometres and are often produced by combustion processes, for example in road traffic, forest fires or cooking. They are increasingly the focus of research on air quality and their impact on health. It has only been possible to reliably and continuously measure UFPs for a few years. Nevertheless, little is known about how building characteristics, outdoor air and the behaviour of residents influence the composition of the air and the concentration of UFPs indoors. Residential behaviour includes, for example, ventilation, cooking and heating.

Since we spend a large part of our time indoors and air quality has a direct impact on our health and well-being, it is important to conduct more research into the composition of the air.

Who can participate in the study?

We are looking for households in the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. We are looking for one person per household who is over 18 years old and willing to act as a contact person for the study.

How does the study work?

The study is divided into a summer and a winter period. During each period, the air composition and quality will be measured in each household for one week. For this purpose, measuring devices will be placed in the living room and on the balcony or in the garden. The devices measure the following air parameters: Ultrafine particles (UFPs), fine dust particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, temperature and relative humidity.
 

Before participating, we will make a brief telephone call to determine whether your household is suitable for the study. If your household is suitable for participation, an appointment will be made to install the measuring devices.

Installation date (Duration: ca. 60-90 minutes):

- The measuring devices are placed in the living room and on the balcony or in the garden.

- An interview is conducted about the building characteristics and the living situation.

During the measurement week:

- Each household will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire every day about their residential behaviour, including ventilation, cooking and heating.

Deinstallation date (Duration: 30-60 minutes):

- The measuring devices are dismantled.

- A short final interview is conducted.

This procedure is the same for both measurement periods.

Important: The contact person must be at home for all appointments.

How do I personally benefit from this?

At the end of the second measurement period, each participating household will receive an individual report on their air composition and quality.

What will the result of the study be?

After the second series of measurements, all participating households will receive a personal summary of their household's air measurement results. Once data collection and analysis have been completed, the results of the study will be published in a scientific journal, and all participating households will be informed of them.

How can I participate?

If you are interested in participating, please send us your contact details via the QR code below or this link. The study team will then be happy to contact you to find out whether your household is suitable for the study.
 

If you have any questions, you can contact us by telephone (Mo–Fr, 8:00–17:00), WhatsApp or email (languages: German, English).

Contacting us is non-binding. 

Phone/WhatsApp: +41 79 840 76 56

Email: markopolo@swisstph.ch