Ultrafine Particles (UFPs)
This page is your gateway to understanding and engaging with our ongoing e!ort to monitor air pollution in the Port of Rotterdam—specifically focusing on ultrafine particles (UFPs). Here, you’ll find a comprehensive overview of our project’s current status, and how you can get involved.
Explore photos and videos from our field activities, learn what ultrafine particles are and how they a!ect health and the environment, and dive into our training materials and measurement results. We also provide access to raw data collected during our monitoring campaigns—GPS tracks, particle counts, vessel activity, wind direction, and temperature—so that anyone can explore or analyze our findings.
Interested in joining the movement? Use our registration form to become part of our citizen science team. For additional clarity, check out our FAQ section to get answers to common questions.
Whether you’re a concerned resident, researcher, policymaker, or port professional, this page is designed to help you understand the problem, see the data, and be part of the solution.
Table of Contents
Ultrafine Particles Pollution Monitoring Research Programme
Overview
This project is a community-led air pollution monitoring initiative that targets ultrafine particles (UFPs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the greater
Port of Rotterdam area. Our aim is to empower residents to collect scientifically robust data that not only complements but goes beyond official monitoring networks by incorporating sensitive locations such as hospitals, schools, and retirement homes.
The project integrates real-time vessel proximity data using MarineTraffic’s API to enhance the interpretation of port-related pollution. This initiative will contribute to transforming the Port of Rotterdam into a living lab for participatory environmental science and innovation.
The ambition to perform high-quality UFP observations is particularly valuable, as this measurement is not yet performed on a regular basis in operational air pollution networks.
Project Goals and Objectives
1. Recruit and train 15 citizen scientists to conduct weekly UFP and biweekly NO2 sampling across 12 strategically chosen sites.
2. Capture pollution data in locations underserved by traditional networks, particularly near health-sensitive facilities.
3. Cross-validate citizen-collected data with existing government-run UFP and NO2 monitoring stations (LML / RIVM).
4. Track and associate pollution spikes with nearby vessel traffic using geofencing and MarineTraffic’s API.
5. Inform local health and environmental policies through publishing our open source data and visualizations.
6. Communicate monitoring results to the public through compelling visualizations and community workshops.
7. Establish the Port of Rotterdam as a living lab that supports experimentation and collaboration among communities, academic partners, and public authorities.
Study Area and Monitoring Sites
The project includes 12 core monitoring locations across the Port of Rotterdam area, strategically selected to cover both sides of the Nieuwe Maas river and include a mix of official monitoring stations and sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and retirement homes.
Monitoring Site List:
Site Selection Strategy
Source-Oriented Sites
These are locations chosen for their close proximity to known pollution sources, such as shipping lanes, container terminals, fuel storage facilities, and industrial plants within the port. Monitoring here aims to quantify ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions at or near their point of origin, providing data on peak concentrations and supporting accountability and policy interventions targeting emission sources.
Health-Driven Sites
These are locations selected based on where people live, work, learn, and spend leisure time, particularly in neighborhoods with vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, or those with respiratory conditions. The goal is to assess real-world human exposure to UFP pollution and highlight potential public health impacts, especially in communities that may already bear disproportionate environmental burdens.
Ultrafine Particles Photo Gallery
A visual showcase of our ultrafine particles pollution monitoring activities, equipment, and community engagement efforts.
Volunteer Registration Form
Our citizen science program engages community members in the collection and analysis of pollution data. Through this collaborative approach, we’re able to gather more comprehensive data across a wider geographic area, while also raising awareness about local air quality issues.
Participants receive training on proper monitoring techniques, equipment use, and data collection protocols. The data they collect is integrated into our broader pollution mapping initiative, providing valuable insights into spatial and temporal patterns of air pollution in our community.
Ultrafine Particles
Overview UFP
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are airborne particles with a diameter less than 0.1 micrometers. Unlike larger particulate matter, UFPs are not regulated despite mounting evidence of their health impacts. Our project specifically targets these particles due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream.
The ability to perform high-quality UFP observations is particularly valuable in the Port of Rotterdam area, as these measurements are not yet performed on a regular basis in operational air pollution networks. UFP measurements through this project are typically project-based and not continuous monitoring, unlike what is available publicly on LML/RIVM data sites.
Key UFP Emission Sources in the Port of Rotterdam
1. Diesel engines: Auxiliary ship engines, trucks, tugboats, and port machinery
2. Industrial flaring and combustion: Particularly during start-ups and maintenance at refineries or chemical plants
3. Non-road mobile machinery: Operating in logistics zones or construction sites
4. Diesel gensets: Diesel-powered generator sets often used at terminals, ships, or temporary industrial operations
UFPs are highly localized and transient, which justifies the importance of both fixed-site and temporal sampling approaches used in this project.
Methodology UFP
Our methodology for monitoring ultrafine particles combines established scientific protocols with citizen science approaches to gather comprehensive data across the Port of Rotterdam area.
1. Equipment Selection
We use P-Trak ultrafine particle counters that can detect particles as small as 10 nanometers. These portable devices are suitable for both stationary monitoring at fixed sites and flexible mobile monitoring.
2. Sampling Schedule
Each site is visited weekly with alternating morning (8-10 AM) and afternoon (4-6 PM) slots to capture diurnal variation. At the cruise terminal, sampling is aligned with ship departure events to capture peak emissions from both auxiliary and main engines.
3. Sampling Duration
Each ultrafine particle monitoring session lasts approximately 15 minutes per site. Data is collected at 1-second intervals where possible to capture transient spikes and provide high temporal resolution of pollution events.
4. Environmental Metadata
During each sampling session, we record GPS coordinates (via MyTrack app), wind direction and speed (via Windy.com or Windfinder), temperature and weather conditions, and field notes on local conditions such as traffic, ships, and construction activity.
5. Vessel Activity Tracking
Using AIS source, e.g., AISHub, OpenAIS, MarineTraffic API and geofencing, we capture vessel activity within 500-1,000 meters of each sampling site. This includes vessel names, types, distance to the monitoring site, speed, heading, and operational status (docked or underway).
6. Quality Assurance
We cross-validate our citizen-collected data with existing government-run UFP and NO2 monitoring stations (LML / RIVM) and academic research equipment to ensure data quality and reliability.
Results UFP
Our ongoing monitoring e!orts are generating significant findings about ultrafine particle concentrations and patterns in the Port of Rotterdam area. As this is a community-led project, results will be updated regularly as new data becomes available.
Initial results indicate that ship auxiliary engines, particularly during docking and departure…TBD. Industrial operations and heavy-duty diesel vehicles also show…TBD..
As we continue to collect data across our 12 monitoring sites, we will update these results with more comprehensive analyses of spatial and temporal patterns, correlation with vessel activity, and comparison with regulatory standards and health guidelines.
Data UFP
Access our raw ultrafine particle measurement data from the Port of Rotterdam monitoring project. Following Agile development principles, we provide direct access to our Google Drive repository where all monitoring data is organized by date.
How Our Data Is Organized
All data is stored in a structured folder:
- Root folder: UFP Data
- Date folders:
- Named in DDMMYY format (e.g., 210525 for May 21, 2025)|
- Raw data files: Inside each date folder, you’ll find the complete set of raw files from that day’s monitoring
Each date folder contains:
- CSV data files from P-Trak ultrafine particle counter (with 1-second interval measurements)
- GPX track files from GPS tracking using the MyTrack app
- Weather screenshots showing temperature and wind conditions from Windy.com or Windfinder
- Vessel tracking data including screenshots from MarineTraffic app and/or AIS files documenting nearby vessel activity
Data Correlation Note:
The P-Trak CSV data can be correlated with GPS (GPX) location data based on the timestamps in both files. Each P-Trak | measurement includes a timestamp that corresponds to the GPS track points, allowing you to map pollution measurements to specific locations.
This approach to data sharing follows our Agile SCRUM development principles, providing transparent access to the raw monitoring data as we iteratively develop more sophisticated data visualization and analysis tools.
Working with the Data
You can download individual files or entire date folders from Google Drive to work with the data locally. For best results:
- Use a CSV reader like Excel or Google Sheets to open the P-Trak data files
- GPX files can be viewed in mapping applications like Google Earth or QGIS
- To map pollution data spatially, join the P-Trak and GPX data using the matching timestamps
- For more advanced analysis, consider using Python with pandas or R for data processing
Training Materials UFP
Access our comprehensive training resources for monitoring ultrafine particles in the Port of Rotterdam area. These materials are designed for citizen scientists, students, and anyone interested in air quality monitoring.
Training Materials UFP
Access our comprehensive video training resources for monitoring ultrafine particles in the Port of Rotterdam area. This collection covers essential knowledge and techniques for citizen scientists participating in our monitoring program.
Playlist
Training Documents
Download and reference these training documents for our ultrafine particle monitoring program. These materials include instructional guides, reference sheets, and visual aids.
Ultrafine Particles FAQs
What are ultrafine particles?
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are tiny particles suspended in air with a diameter less than 0.1 micrometers (100 nanometers). They are primarily produced by combustion processes, including vessel emissions, industrial operations, and diesel engines. Due to their extremely small size, UFPs can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. Unlike larger particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), UFPs are not currently regulated by most environmental agencies.
How do you measure ultrafine particles?
We use P-Trak ultrafine particle counters that can detect particles as small as 10 nanometers. These devices draw in air samples and count the number of particles present. Our monitoring protocol includes 15-minute sampling sessions at each location, with data recorded at 1-second intervals where possible to capture transient spikes. We also record environmental metadata such as wind direction, temperature, and nearby vessel activity to help interpret the UFP measurements.
Why monitor UFPs in the Port of Rotterdam?
The Port of Rotterdam is one of Europe’s largest ports, with significant shipping traffic and industrial activity that generate ultrafine particle emissions. These emissions can affect both port workers and residents in surrounding communities. Our monitoring project aims to better understand the spatial and temporal patterns of UFP pollution in the port area, identify major sources, and provide data to inform policies for reducing emissions and protecting public health.
How is vessel activity tracking related to UFP monitoring?
Ship engines, particularly auxiliary engines used while docked, are major sources of ultrafine particles in port areas. By tracking vessel activity (including vessel type, proximity, and operational status) during our monitoring sessions, we can better understand how shipping operations contribute to local air pollution. This information helps identify specific emission sources and can inform targeted mitigation strategies, such as shore power implementation or vessel scheduling adjustments.
Training External Resources
Explore these trusted external resources for additional information about ultrafine particle monitoring, pollution research, and community science initiatives.
World Health Organization - Air Pollution Data
Access global air quality guidelines, health impact research, and standard methodologies for monitoring particulate matter.
European Environment Agency - Air Quality Portal
European standards, monitoring networks, and data visualization tools for understanding air pollution patterns.
Utrecht University - Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences
Academic research on ultrafine particles in urban environments, featuring studies directly related to port activities.
