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IDAEA researchers present the latest advances in air pollution monitoring and modelling, as well as the challenges and perspectives of the new European Air Quality Directive
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The congress hosts the launch of “Dones x Aire Net”, an initiative that highlights the role of women in air quality research, management, and communication
Round table “PM2.5: challenges and opportunities” with the participation of Ioar Rivas and Xavier Querol from IDAEA-CSIC. | Mario Gascón
The Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) had a strong presence at the 4th Air Quality Congress, held on 16–17 October in Sabadell. This key event in Catalonia brought together over 440 registered participants, 31 sessions, and more than 100 presentations addressing current air quality challenges.
The biennial forum, jointly organised by the Government of Catalonia, the Barcelona Provincial Council, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB), the County Council of Vallès Occidental and the Sabadell City Council, has once again established itself as a space for debate, knowledge sharing and cooperation among institutions, experts and professionals committed to improving air quality and public health.
A large number of researchers from the Environmental Geochemistry and Atmospheric Research (EGAR) group, including Xavier Querol, Andrés Alastuey, Marco Pandolfi, Maria Izquierdo and Ioar Rivas, presented the latest developments in the monitoring, modelling, and assessment of atmospheric pollution. Other IDAEA groups also took part, such as the Groundwater and Hydrogeochemistry group, represented by Marc Teixidó, who integrated other aspects of the European Green Deal such as water, soil, sound, and air.
“In Catalonia, we have reduced pollutant levels by 50% since 2005. But we have removed the largest waste. Now we need to take a further step and reduce not only particles but also the gases that can form particles. It is a more complex task, but we can accomplish it,” emphasises IDAEA researcher Xavier Querol, an expert in atmospheric pollution.
Among the IDAEA contributions, the following topics stood out:
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The challenges of the new European Air Quality Directive.
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The National Ozone Plan, addressing one of the most complex pollutants regulated by legislation.
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The new air quality parameters proposed by the RI-URBANS European project, co-coordinated by IDAEA-CSIC, including ultrafine particles, black carbon, ammonia, and oxidative potential, suggested for inclusion in the upcoming Directive.
Dones x Aire Net: highlighting women’s role in air quality research
The congress also saw the launch of Dones x Aire Net, an initiative aimed at increasing the visibility of women working in air quality research, management, and communication.
Promoted by the congress organising committee, the project features 34 leading women in this field, including several researchers from IDAEA. The initiative includes an interactive map showcasing the profiles of participants, available on the Air Quality Congress website.
“This project allows us to highlight many women who actively contribute to improving air quality from different perspectives: research, public management, and technical work,” explains Ioar Rivas, researcher at IDAEA-CSIC and one of the driving forces behind the initiative.
The project remains open, and interested women can join through this form:
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