Research Unit 'Epidemiology of Air Pollution Health Effects'
Head: Annette Peters
Objectives
Our aim is the research of ambient particles and their impact on human health. We were able to prove health effect not only on the lung but also on cardiovascular system. At present we investigate the following scientific issues:
- what kind of particles are to be found in urban areas?
- what is the impact of particles with differenct sizes and from different sources on human health
- how do particles act outside the lung?
- who, in particular, is at risk or is in fact everybody at risk ?
- what kind of risks are inherent to nano particles?
These are the issues we have been investigating:
I. Ambient particles:
- Measurements of fine and ultrafine particles
- Effects of particles on mortality
- Effects of particles on the cardiovascular system
II. Engineered particles:
- Health effects of man-made nanoparticles
III. Alpha-particles (radon):
- Risk of lung cancer caused by indoor radon and uranium mining.
