Pesticide measurements in the air have been carried out in France since the 2000s and more specifically since 2003 in Brittany. Initially limited to a few weeks per year, the national exploratory campaign carried out in 2018/2019 made it possible to extend measurements to the whole year for all regions and to follow a harmonised national protocol. The use of these measurement data provided valuable information for monitoring the spatial and temporal evolution of pesticide levels in the air. In addition, work to link these air measurements with agricultural data is improving knowledge of airborne transfers and thus helping the agricultural sector to take this reduction into account. In Brittany, collaboration with public authorities and the agricultural sector has made it possible to explore new avenues for using and linking sales (or usage) data and agricultural practice data with air measurements. This article presents the benefits of these complementary approaches and the importance of a partnership bringing together the various stakeholders to bring about a change in practices.
Maritime transport significantly contributes to atmospheric pollution, causing 250,000 premature deaths and 6 million cases of childhood asthma annually due to emissions of ultra fine particles, nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Ship plumes have highly localised impacts in port towns, leading to intense but brief spikes in pollutant concentrations. Several emission reduction solutions have been implemented, including Emission Control Areas (ECA zones), on-shore electrification of vessels, exhaust filtration systems, and fuel switching. Local initiatives have emerged to ensure the effectiveness of these measures. An innovative partnership between air quality monitoring observatories and port stakeholders encourages shipping companies to transparently share their data and information. These collaborations also benefit academic research by developing expertise in measuring pollutants using drones, laboratory ships, and hyperspectral cameras. International collaborations have also established an innovative French-Italian port observatory, supported by citizen science, aimed at generating real-time impact indicators.
