Why it matters – the impact of MARKOPOLO
Air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM) and traffic noise are major environmental risk factors. They significantly impact human health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, mental, and metabolic diseases. Air pollution alone is responsible for 8.79 million deaths annually – accounting for 15% of all global deaths.
PM2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5) refers to small air pollution particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These fine particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing serious health risks. In Europe, the PM2.5 standards (annual mean: 25 μg/m³) are much higher than WHO guidelines (5 μg/m³), and those of Australia, Canada, and the USA (8, 10, and 12 μg/m³ respectively). Ultrafine particles (<100 nm) are even not regulated by legislation. This highlights the urgent need for stronger air quality policies.
Environmental noise, especially traffic noise, is another serious health concern, leading to the loss of 1 – 1.6 million healthy life years annually in Western Europe, primarily due to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Despite measures like low emission zones and diesel bans, deaths from environmental pollutants continue to rise. This is partly due to an aging population and prolonged exposure to harmful pollutants.
MARKOPOLO will address these critical health and societal issues, aiming to make significant wider impacts.
We identified critical issues that must be addressed to bridge the current knowledge gap:
- The lack of attention to traffic noise in clinical guidelines and legal sound pressure limits that exceed safe levels;
- Legal exposure limits for ultrafine particles need to be defined based on their potential to cause adverse health effects;
- The combined effects of PM and noise are largely ignored, despite evidence of additive harm;
- Limited understanding of ultrafine particle (UFP) exposure and its harmful effects, including potential effects on the brain;
- Limited research on the brain-heart axis despite its relevance to noise/PM health effects. Most studies focus on cardiovascular, respiratory, neurodegenerative, and mental diseases separately rather than their interconnected impacts;
- Insufficient experimental in vivo research to better understand preventable pathways;
- Limited knowledge of noise/PM effects on vulnerable groups;
- Limited action and consideration of knowledge transfer and success metrics.
There is an urgent need to better understand the health effects of multiple environmental exposures, address these critical issues and protect vulnerable groups, such as high-risk patients, children and the elderly.
MARKOPOLO will advance our understanding of the complex interplay between noise, air pollution, and human well-being. Furthermore, we aim to raise awareness among the population and policymakers while helping prevent or reduce chronic diseases, premature deaths and socioeconomic burdens.
