Breathing the Skies: Why Ultrafine Particle Monitoring at Airports Is No Longer Optional
While the aviation industry has made visible efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, a deeper, less visible threat persists. Non-CO₂ emissions, particularly UFPs, are emerging as a critical blind spot in the sector’s sustainability strategy. Fortunately, companies like Pegasor are stepping up with advanced monitoring technologies that bring these hidden emissions into the light.
What Are Ultrafine Particles—and Why Should We Care?
Ultrafine particles are defined as airborne particles with a diameter of less than 100 nanometers. Because of their size, they behave differently from larger particulate matter like PM₂.₅ or PM₁₀. UFPs can penetrate deep into the lungs, cross into the bloodstream, and reach organs including the brain and heart. Their health impacts are severe and wide-ranging, from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases to neurological disorders.
A 2024 study by McGill University found that exposure to UFPs is linked to over 1,000 premature deaths annually in Toronto and Montreal alone—a staggering figure that underscores the urgency of addressing this form of pollution. Airports, with their constant flow of aircraft and support vehicles, are among the most concentrated sources of UFPs in urban environments.
The Aviation Sector’s Invisible Emissions Problem
While CO₂ emissions from aviation are widely tracked and debated, non-CO₂ effects account for up to two-thirds of the sector’s total climate impact, according to a landmark study by CE Delft. These include nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), contrail formation, and particulate matter—especially UFPs emitted during takeoff, landing, and taxiing.
These emissions don’t just contribute to global warming; they also have immediate, localized health consequences. Communities living near airports, as well as airport workers, are exposed daily to high concentrations of UFPs. Yet, despite their danger, UFPs remain largely unregulated in most parts of the world.
That’s beginning to change. The European Union’s Ambient Air Quality Directive (2024/2881) now includes UFPs as a pollutant of concern, signaling a shift toward more comprehensive air quality standards. This regulatory momentum makes real-time UFP monitoring not just a best practice—but a necessity.
Pegasor: Making the Invisible Measurable
Pegasor’s suite of monitoring instruments is designed to meet the unique challenges of measuring UFPs in dynamic, high-emission environments like airports. Devices such as the Pegasor Airam and PPS-M offer continuous, real-time data on particle number concentration, lung-deposited surface area (LDSA), and other critical metrics.
Unlike traditional mass-based sensors, Pegasor’s technology captures the true health impact of airborne particles by focusing on the number and surface area of UFPs—two factors closely linked to their biological activity. These instruments are compact, robust, and capable of operating in mobile labs, stationary fence-line setups, or even onboard aircraft for engine-out testing.
This level of precision and flexibility allows airport authorities, environmental agencies, and researchers to map pollution hotspots, assess exposure risks, and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation strategies in real time.
From Compliance to Commitment: Why Monitoring Matters
Monitoring UFPs is not just about meeting regulatory requirements—it’s about protecting lives and restoring trust. Airports are often located near densely populated areas, and the communities that live closest to them are frequently the most vulnerable. Transparent, science-based monitoring can help rebuild public confidence and guide smarter urban planning.
Moreover, as the aviation industry seeks to align with global climate goals, addressing non-CO₂ emissions will be essential. Real-time UFP data can inform decisions on fleet upgrades, ground operations, and infrastructure design, making sustainability efforts more targeted and effective.
The Future of Aviation Is Clearer Than Ever
The skies may be open, but the air around our airports is anything but clean. As the evidence mounts—from CE Delft’s climate modeling to McGill’s public health findings—it’s clear that ultrafine particles represent one of the most urgent and under-addressed challenges in aviation today.
Pegasor’s technology offers a path forward: one where emissions are no longer invisible, and where data drives meaningful change. By investing in UFP monitoring, airports and aviation stakeholders can take a decisive step toward cleaner air, healthier communities, and a more sustainable future.
Because what we can measure, we can manage—and what we manage, we can improve.
