Aerosol physics researchers travelled to Sweden with a mobile laboratory to study aircraft emissions

The measurement campaign was carried out by Tampere University at Ljungbyhed Airport in Sweden in collaboration with researchers from Lund University. The research was conducted by a highly multidisciplinary team involving experts from Tampere University's Aerosol Physics Laboratory as well as researchers from Lund University's divisions of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Combustion Physics, and School of Aviation.

Research on the environmental impacts of aviation and sustainable development has increasingly focused on sustainable aviation fuels, with the goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and accelerating the carbon cycle. However, fuel type also plays a crucial role in emission formation, meaning that the use of sustainable fuels can influence air quality and human health. While road vehicle emissions have been subject to increasingly stringent and effective regulations for decades, aircraft emissions remain less regulated. As a result, air traffic continues to have a substantial impact on the air quality of communities surrounding airports. In February 2026, the Aerosol Physics Laboratory, led by Teemu Lepistö, published a study on the air-quality impacts of Helsinki Airport, showing that these effects can extend several kilometers from the airport.

This research is part of the METECH project, funded by Business Finland, which develops solutions to improve the accuracy and reliability of emission measurement technologies. More information about the project is available at: https://metech.fi/.