The measurement campaign near the airport in Vantaa has been completed

The second measurement campaign of the GIANT project was conducted at the City of Vantaa’s facilities in the Aviapolis area from February 14 to February 27, 2025. Measurements were carried out near the airport, and with an extensive measurement setup, more detailed data on particles was collected.

Measurements were taken in the Aviapolis area in Vantaa. Photograph by Laura Salo.

The second measurement campaign of the GIANT project started on February 14. This time, the measurements took place in the City of Vantaa’s facilities in the Aviapolis area, which is located near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

Laura Salo, a researcher from Tampere University who was involved in the measurement campaign, explained that a wide range of different devices were used for the measurements.

“Three mass spectrometers were used for the chemical characterization of particles and gases. In Aviapolis, measurements were also made for black carbon, particle size distribution from one nanometer to ten micrometers, and particle count.”

 “Several gas analyzers were used to analyze ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and NOx compounds. All these were measured from both indoor and outdoor air using automated valves”, she adds.

Additionally, building parameters and the efficiency of filters were determined during the measurements.

At the beginning of the campaign, the measurement devices were set up and allowed to measure and collect data for two weeks. During the campaign, VTT also conducted a tightness test.

The measurement campaign in Vantaa’s Aviapolis area involved the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Tampere University, VTT, along with companies Airyn, Pegasor, Airmodus, and Dekati.

The measurements differed from previous daycare measurements

In November, the GIANT project conducted its first measurement campaign at two daycare centers in Tampere. Both the Aviapolis measurement campaign and the earlier daycare campaign focused on measuring outdoor and indoor air, but the campaigns also differed in many ways.

"The measurement environment was different, and the primary source is likely the nearby airport," Salo explains.

Installation of measuring equipment. Photograph by Laura Salo.

Additionally, the measurement equipment used was more extensive in the Vantaa campaign.

"Unlike in the daycare measurements, the space could not be used during the measurements due to the noise and heat generated by the devices. On the other hand, we were able to obtain much more detailed information about pollutants," Salo describes.

Although such extensive measurements can always present some challenges, Salo mentions that overall, the measurements went well, and the campaign was successful. The next measurement campaigns will be conducted abroad.

"The devices are now on their way to Germany, and then to the Czech Republic," Salo says.

Julia Koski

GIANT communications

The GIANT project focuses on understanding the role of emerging pollutants, such as ultrafine particles, black carbon, volatile organic compounds, and secondary aerosols in indoor and outdoor spaces, and how the new WHO global air quality guidelines will transform the international markets by creating a need for advanced IAQ solutions. 

Comprising a diverse consortium of five research institutes, municipalities, cities, and companies specializing in instrumental development, aerosol measurements, air purification, ventilation, and data visualization, the GIANT project forms a multidisciplinary approach. The overarching themes of the project include outdoor environments, building and construction technologies and design, as well as indoor environments. Strong international collaboration further enriches the project, bringing top-level global expertise and infrastructures to the project. 

Research organizations involved in the project are Tampere University, Finnish Meteorological Institute, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, University of Helsinki, and University of Eastern Finland. 

Companies involved in the project with parallel company projects are Air0 Oy, Airmodus Oy, Cervi Oy, Gasera Oy, Pegasor Oy, Realin Oy and Velco Oy. Airyn Technologies Oy, the city of Helsinki, the city of Tampere, the city of Vantaa, Dekati Oy, Entos Oy, e-Group Oy, Halton Oy, Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY, Inspector Sec Oy (ISEC), and Lifa Air Oy are cooperation partners in the project. The project is coordinated by Tamlink Ltd.