The Berlin-Brandenburg air study-A methodological study paper of a natural experiment investigating health effects related to changes in airport-related exposures

Soppa, Vanessa; Lucht, Sarah; Ogurtsova, Katherine; Buschka, Anna; López Vicente, Mònica, 1988-; Guxens Junyent, Mònica; Weinhold, Kay; Winkler, Ulf; Wiedensohler, Alfred; Held, Andreas; Lüchtrath, Sabine; Cyrys, Josef; Kecorius, Simonas; Gastmeier, Petra; Wiese-Posselt, Miriam; Hoffmann, Barbara

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606096

The Berlin-Brandenburg air study-A methodological study paper of a natural experiment investigating health effects related to changes in airport-related exposures

Citation

Soppa V, Lucht S, Ogurtsova K, Buschka A, López-Vicente M, Guxens M, et al. The Berlin-Brandenburg air study-A methodological study paper of a natural experiment investigating health effects related to changes in airport-related exposures. Int J Public Health. 2023 Nov 17;68:1606096. DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606096

Abstract

Objectives: This paper presents the study design of the Berlin-Brandenburg Air study (BEAR-study). We measure air quality in Berlin and Brandenburg before and after the relocation of aircraft (AC) traffic from Tegel (TXL) airport to the new Berlin-Brandenburg airport (BER) and investigate the association of AC-related ultrafine particles (UFP) with health outcomes in schoolchildren. Methods: The BEAR-study is a natural experiment examining schoolchildren attending schools near TXL and BER airports, and in control areas (CA) away from both airports and associated air corridors. Each child undergoes repeated school-based health-examinations. Total particle number concentration (PNC) and meteorological parameters are continuously monitored. Submicrometer particle number size distribution, equivalent black carbon, and gas-phase pollutants are collected from long-term air quality monitoring stations. Daily source-specific UFP concentrations are modeled. We will analyze short-term effects of UFP on respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurocognitive outcomes, as well as medium and long-term effects on lung growth and cognitive development. Results: We examined 1,070 children (as of 30 November 2022) from 16 schools in Berlin and Brandenburg. Conclusion: The BEAR study increases the understanding of how AC-related UFP affect children's health.