Air, Particles and Health
Luft, partiklar och hälsa

MAMN75, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2025/26
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED C/D
Date of Decision: 2025-04-14
Effective: 2025-05-05

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: BME4, K4, N4-nbm, R4, W4-ms
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The objective is to provide methodes and tools to assess human exposure and health impacts of airborne particles in different sectors. The course will provide fundamental understanding of the major physical, chemical and biological processes controlling exposure and effects of air pollutants, pathogens and in aerosol drug delivery. Our students will assess how novel low-carbon technologies in different sectors will change air pollution emissions and its impact on our health.

The area on airborne particles and health has strong and direct relevance for reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for:

• health and well-being
• sustainable cities and communities
• decent work and economic growth
• affordable and clean energy
• industry, innovation and infrastructure
• climate action.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• explain air pollution emissions, exposures, control strategies and major epidemiological findings of induced health effects for different societal sectors
• explain relevant physiology, common diseases related to particle exposure and aerosol drug delivery approaches
• be able to describe the processes affecting disease transmission by aerosols, particle deposition in the lung, translocation, and relations between particle properties and biological effects for different sources

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to design and carry out exposure assessment
• in written and oral form be able to identify, combine and apply the needed disciplines to assess and contribute to solve air pollution problems in a societal sector
• be able to demonstrate how safe-by-design approaches can be included in design and development of novel sustainable technologies to ensure reduced health impact of air pollution

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to choose and motivate the use of methods to assess exposure for a given situation
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of human, animal and cell toxicology to expand present knowledge in the area
• understand basic concepts, possibilities and challenges in air pollution epidemiology
• be able to critically review reports and risk assessments for different types of particle exposure via inhalation

Contents

Important air pollution sources (transport and energy, sources in indoor/workplace air, human pathogens and engineered nanomaterials). Properties of air pollutants (particles, carcinogenic compounds and relevant gas exposures). Epidemiology and health impact assessment, Basic physiology and toxicology. Particle lung deposition and translocation. Oxidative potential and toxicological effects of common particle types. Approaches based on cell, animal and human exposure. Exposure assessment and biomarkers. Aerosol drug delivery and formulations. Biological particles and disease transmission by aerosols. Global perspective of air pollution. Policy and legislation, Safe by design, Risk assessment. 

The lecturers come from different disciplines at LTH and LU medical faculty with strong research connection, ensuring that knowledge based on the latest research in each area is discussed. The multi-disciplinary project work (in groups of 2) gives the student practice in applying and combining the needed disciplines around a societal problem / sector related to particles and health. Mandatory laboratory and calculation tasks give the student practical exercise in designing and evaluating exposure assessment approaches and insight into complexities of different biological assays.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

Multidisciplinary project work on societal challenge related to airborne particles and health, examined in written and oral form (groups of two) and as peer-review of another group´s report (50%). Written exam at the end of the course (30%). Groupwise laboratory exercise with written report (10%). Individual exercise on exposure assessment (10%). For passed course, the student needs to pass each assessment. It is mandatory to attend the first lecture in order to be admitted to the course.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0124. Name: Air, Particles and Health.
Credits: 7.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5).

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: Knowledge in aerosol technology, atmospheric chemistry or air pollution monitoring equivalent to one of the following: FKFF05, MAMF55 or FKFN35. Knowledge of relevant parts of cell biology and physiology equivalent to one of the following KMBF01 or EXTA70.
The number of participants is limited to: No

Reading list

• Review articles and book chapters available on the canvas site.

Contact

Course coordinator: Joakim Pagels, joakim.pagels@design.lth.se
Examinator: Jakob Löndahl, jakob.londahl@design.lth.se
Director of studies: Håkan Eftring, hakan.eftring@certec.lth.se
Course administrator: Lena Leveen, lena.leveen@design.lth.se

Further information

More information regarding the Departments policy regarding first-cycle education that is linked to research you will find here: http://www.design.lth.se/utbildning/forskningsanknytning.