Tampere University's researchers help by assessing air quality impacts after the Rusko fire
Researchers from the aerosol physics laboratory at Tampere University have helped to investigate the air quality hazards caused by the fire at the Rusko waste treatment facility. The researchers received the request from the City of Tampere on Wednesday, 6 November.
“We measured the concentrations of smoke gases from the Rusko fire and their dispersion. Our particular concern was residential areas,” says Assistant Professor Panu Karjalainen from the aerosol physics laboratory.
The researchers used the ATMo-Lab mobile laboratory for the measuring. In the ATMo-Lab, air samples are taken from above the windshield. Measuring is continuous, meaning some devices produce a data point every second, while the slowest ones do so every 20 seconds. When this is the case, measurements can be performed both while the laboratory is moving or stationary. For example, on Thursday evening, the mobile laboratory was taken to the suburb of Lintuhytti where it remained stationary overnight to measure air quality.
When determining measurement points, weather forecasts and especially closely monitored wind data are important aids in addition to our own senses.
Aerosol particles are the most harmful air pollutant. They are annually estimated to cause over four million premature deaths worldwide. The aerosol physics laboratory conducts multidisciplinary research, for example, related to aerosols released during combustion processes and air quality.
Early Tuesday morning, a large pile of energy waste caught fire at the waste treatment facility in Rusko, Tampere, releasing a significant amount of smoke gases. Firefighting efforts are still ongoing, but the fire is under control, and the hazard warning for the area was lifted on Saturday afternoon.
Further information
Panu Karjalainen
panu.karjalainen [at] tuni.fi (panu[dot]karjalainen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
0453592979
