About

Learn more about the project's background, work packages, goals and more.

What is the GIANT project?

The GIANT (Global trends in IAQ: Novel technologies, Competence and Business) co-innovation project brings together world-leading Finnish expertise to study indoor aerosol phenomena, indoor and outdoor sources of pollutants, and how the different pollutants affect both air quality and health.

The project focuses specifically on understanding the role of new emerging pollutants, such as ultrafine particles, black carbon, volatile organic compounds, and secondary aerosols.

The project is driven by a multidisciplinary consortium, which includes 5 research organisations, 14 companies, 3 cities and a regional service provider.

Background

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued new global air quality guidelines. Due to increased health concerns on ultrafine particles and black carbon, the WHO recommended further actions for investigating their role in different environments and encouraged the search for approaches for mitigation. This and recent pandemic-related experiences have created an urgent need for IAQ-related standards, legislation, and knowledge.

Goal

To scientifically understand indoor aerosol phenomena, indoor and outdoor sources of pollutants, and their impact on indoor air quality and health. The project also aims to technologically enable advanced IAQ monitoring and exposure mitigation strategies, and advance new markets for Finnish high-level technologies.

Focus

On emerging pollutants, i.e., ultrafine particles and black carbon that are included in the new WHO air quality guidelines covering both outdoor and indoor environments, as well as volatile organic compounds and secondary aerosols.