Manual for Polysulphone Dosimeters Characterisation, Handling and Application as Personal UV Exposure Devices

Abstract not availableJRC.I-Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (Ispra

The chemistry of atmospheric deposition in Italy in the framework of the National Programme for Forest Ecosystems Control (CONECOFOR)

Under the CONECOFOR programme, allied to the UE and UN-ECE programme on forests (ICP Forests), the chemistry of open field, throughfall and stemflow deposition was measured in 15 permanent plots over a two year period. Characteristics of the plots, sampling methods, treatment and analyses are in strict agreement with those adopted in the European programme. The plots are representative of different geographical conditions, from the Mediterranean area of the southern plots to the Alpine environment. Results show the highest amount of ion deposition related to anthropogenic emissions in the northern (PIE1, VEN1, FRI2) and central (EMI1, TOS1) stations, while most of the central and southern sites show a net flux of alkalinity. The acidity is however buffered by dust and dry deposition present on the canopy, so that the throughfall deposition is always alkaline. Nitrogen, both as ammonium and nitrate, is an important component of precipitation and critical loads are exceeded in most of the areas. This situation is confirmed by analyses of nitrate in runoff, performed in four plots, which show a release from the watershed in all seasons, indicating an overload of nitrogen compared to its possible uptake by vegetation and soil. N saturation is high in the northern and central plots of PIE1 and EMI2, moderate in the central and alpine plots of LAZ1 and FRI2

Quality Assurance of Spectral Ultraviolet Measurements in Europe Through the Development of a Transportable Unit (QASUME)

QASUME is a European Commission funded project that aims to develop and test a transportable unit for providing quality assurance to UV spectroradiometric measurements conducted in Europe. The comparisons will be performed at the home sites of the instruments, thus avoiding the risk of transporting instruments to participate in intercomparison campaigns. Spectral measurements obtained at each of the stations will be compared, following detailed and objective comparison protocols, against collocated measurements performed by a thoroughly tested and validated travelling unit. The transportable unit comprises a spectroradiometer, its calibrator with a set of calibration lamps traceable to the sources of different Standards Laboratories, and devices for determining the slit function and the angular response of the local spectroradiometers. The unit will be transported by road to about 25 UV stations over a period of about two years. The spectroradiometer of the transportable unit is compared in an intercomparison campaign with six instruments to establish a relation, which would then be used as a reference for its calibration over the period of its regular operation at the European stations. Different weather patterns (from clear skies to heavy rain) were present during the campaign, allowing the performance of the spectroradiometers to be evaluated under unfavourable conditions (as may be experienced at home sites) as well as the more desirable dry conditions. Measurements in the laboratory revealed that the calibration standards of the spectroradiometers differ by up to 10%. The evaluation is completed through comparisons with the same six instruments at their homes sites

Meeting Report: Validation of Toxicogenomics-Based Test Systems: ECVAM–ICCVAM/NICEATM Considerations for Regulatory Use

This is the report of the first workshop “Validation of Toxicogenomics-Based Test Systems” held 11–12 December 2003 in Ispra, Italy. The workshop was hosted by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) and organized jointly by ECVAM, the U.S. Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM), and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM). The primary aim of the workshop was for participants to discuss and define principles applicable to the validation of toxicogenomics platforms as well as validation of specific toxicologic test methods that incorporate toxicogenomics technologies. The workshop was viewed as an opportunity for initiating a dialogue between technologic experts, regulators, and the principal validation bodies and for identifying those factors to which the validation process would be applicable. It was felt that to do so now, as the technology is evolving and associated challenges are identified, would be a basis for the future validation of the technology when it reaches the appropriate stage. Because of the complexity of the issue, different aspects of the validation of toxicogenomics-based test methods were covered. The three focus areas include a) biologic validation of toxicogenomics-based test methods for regulatory decision making, b) technical and bioinformatics aspects related to validation, and c) validation issues as they relate to regulatory acceptance and use of toxicogenomics-based test methods. In this report we summarize the discussions and describe in detail the recommendations for future direction and priorities

The Future of Cities

This report is an initiative of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge service of the European Commission (EC), and supported by the Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). It highlights drivers shaping the urban future, identifying both the key challenges cities will have to address and the strengths they can capitalise on to proactively build their desired futures. The main aim of this report is to raise open questions and steer discussions on what the future of cities can, and should be, both within the science and policymaker communities. While addressing mainly European cities, examples from other world regions are also given since many challenges and solutions have a global relevance. The report is particularly novel in two ways. First, it was developed in an inclusive manner – close collaboration with the EC’s Community of Practice on Cities (CoP-CITIES) provided insights from the broader research community and city networks, including individual municipalities, as well as Commission services and international organisations. It was also extensively reviewed by an Editorial Board. Secondly, the report is supported by an online ‘living’ platform which will host future updates, including additional analyses, discussions, case studies, comments and interactive maps that go beyond the scope of the current version of the report. Steered by the JRC, the platform will offer a permanent virtual space to the research, practice and policymaking community for sharing and accumulating knowledge on the future of cities. This report is produced in the framework of the EC Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies and is part of a wider series of flagship Science for Policy reports by the JRC, investigating future perspectives concerning Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Road Transport, Resilience, Cybersecurity and Fairness Interactive online platform : https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/thefutureofcitiesJRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

A Satellite-Derived UV Climatology over Europe: Dataset and Application to Human Exposure and Marine Biology

The paper presents a satellite-derived UV radiation climatology over Europe. This dataset is intended to support environmental and human health impact studies. Examples of applications on modelling human UV exposure and on the impact of UV on a marine ecosystem are presented.JRC.I.5-Physical and chemical exposure

Monitoring TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 at a Semi-Remote Area in Northern Italy. Relationships between PM10 and PM2.5.

Abstract not availableJRC.I-Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (Ispra