CLAIRE is back!
With CLAIRE, a project started under the scientific guidance of Prof. Roeland Samson of the University of Antwerp, the effect of slow roads (=carless and with green infrastructure) on exposure to air pollution was mapped in 2021. About 400 volunteers went on a walk with our dolls Claire and Gilbair in a carriage fully equipped with air pollution sensors. Now the project is back with a new dimension, thanks to a collaboration between Prof. Roeland Samson and Prof. Irina Spacova. CLAIRE aims to investigate the link between air quality, urban green space and exposure to microorganisms.
Who or what is CLAIRE?
CLAIRE stands for “Clean AIR for Everyone. It is an initiative of the University of Antwerp.
Flanders is characterized by a high population density and a high degree of urbanization. Domestic heating and high traffic intensity create poor air quality. This leads to thousands of premature deaths every year. Moreover, there are few green spaces in cities. Greenery not only improves mental well-being, but contact with greenery (for example, in parks) also allows visitors to interact with microorganisms such as bacteria [1]. Scientists believe we need exposure to good bacteria from nature to be healthy.
This CLAIRE project focuses on the link between air quality, urban green space and exposure to microorganisms. Urban green spaces increase the biodiversity in cities, including microbial diversity [2]. The previous CLAIRE project clearly demonstrated that air quality in parks is better than that along (busy) streets. Our previous research also shows that air quality is related to the type of bacteria found on plants [2]. Now we want to specifically investigate whether the better air quality in parks affects the bacteria we find there and whether some of those bacteria are transferred to humans while walking in these parks.
Microbial transfer could provide additional health benefits to park visitors, combined with breathing less polluted air.
References
[1] Selway, C. A., Mills, J. G., Weinstein, P., Skelly, C., Yadav, S., Lowe, A., Breed, M. F., & Weyrich, L. S. (2020). Transfer of environmental microbes to the skin and respiratory tract of humans after urban green space exposure. Environment International, 145, 106084.
[2] Wuyts, K., Smets, W., Lebeer, S., & Samson, R. (2020). Green infrastructure and atmospheric pollution shape diversity and composition of phyllosphere bacterial communities in an urban landscape. FEMS microbiology ecology, 96(1), fiz173.
How does CLAIRE work?
CLAIRE is a citizen science project, also known as citizen science. To map air quality, measurements are taken while walking with a baby carriage along a fixed route. On the one hand, the baby carriage serves as a mobile measurement system that can transport the many measurement sensors, but on the other hand it also serves to estimate the exposure of young children to (traffic-related) air pollution. This very vulnerable group - represented in this project by toddler dolls Claire and Gilbair - is often closest to the pollution source, namely the exhaust pipes of cars. Previous research has already shown that the air at this height is more polluted than at the breathing height of an adult.
While walking with the baby carriage, a number of variables are measured every ten seconds. These variables, such as the amount of particulate matter and soot, which are known to have a major impact on health, provide a good picture of air quality. Weather conditions (e.g., wind speed) and the time of the measurements (e.g., during peak hours) can cause large differences in the concentrations of particulate matter and soot at the same location. It is therefore important to collect as much data as possible, at as many different times as possible, to get a good picture of the effect of urban green space. To achieve this, volunteers are being called upon. The volunteers can use the baby carriage to take a defined walking route in Middelheim and Nachtegalen Park, lasting approximately one hour. Discover the walking routes here!
To estimate the transmission of bacteria from the city park to humans, most volunteers will be asked to donate a swab (nose and skin of the cheek) just before and after the walk. Samples will also be collected from the area where the walks take place. In this way we can investigate whether certain bacteria in the environment are transmitted to walkers and whether the occurrence and transmission of microorganisms depend on air quality.
You can register here!
Who are Claire and Gilbair?
Claire and Gilbair are sister and brother who both love walking, but are also concerned about (urban) air quality. As part of Antwerp University's CLAIRE project, they studied air quality in 2021. Because of the very large number of volunteers, Claire was joined by a little brother: Gilbair! Now both dolls are again calling on caring volunteers to go for walks.
How long has the CLAIRE project been running?
Claire was born on January 18, 2021. That was also the launch date of the CLAIRE project, a citizen science project of the University of Antwerp that aims to improve air quality in cities and ran until the end of November 2021.
The new project will start in November 2024.
Can anyone particpate in the CLAIRE project?
Anyone who is at least at the age of 18 and fit enough to complete a 4 km walk can volunteer.
I signed up to volunteer, but I haven't been contacted yet. Should I do something?
Thank you for volunteering to contribute to the University of Antwerp's CLAIRE project for better air quality! We are contacting every volunteer who applied, but a little delay is possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding!
How can I book a walk with Claire or Gilbair?
You can find more information under 'Inschrijven'. Here you will find an overview of available dates and timeslots. To sign up, you send an email to claire@uantwerpen.be with the date and timeslot you would like to go for a walk with Claire or Gilbair, your full name and phone number. You will then receive a confirmation email with more practical information.
Should I walk alone or may someone accompany me?
Walking in pairs is obviously more fun than walking alone. Therefore, it is allowed to bring someone along. We must point out that only the person who signed up is insured from the University of Antwerp. So we are not responsible for accidents related to the extra person.
Will Claire and Gilbair be delivered or do I have to come and pick her/him up?
We work with a two routes that start and end at Campus Groenenborger of the University of Antwerp (address: Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp). This is also where Claire and Gilbair take their nap. So when you go for a walk, come to the campus at the appointed hour and start the hike from there. At the campus you will also get the necessary explanation before departure.
How do I get to Campus Groenenborger before the start of the walk?
For the start of the walk we welcome you at building V on Campus Groenenborger of the University of Antwerp, address: Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp.
-Are you coming by bike? You can park your bike in one of the bike racks.
-If you take bus 21 or 33, you can get off at the ‘Groenenborgerlaan’ stop.
-If you come by car, you can park on one of the campus parking lots.
Which route should I take? Can I already check it out?
There are two routes through Middelheimpark and Nachtengalenpark of about 4 km. You can find these under 'Wandelroutes'. Both routes start and end at Campus Groenenborger of the University of Antwerp, address: Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp. As soon as you have registered, you will be told which route you have been assigned and whether you will walk with Claire or Gilbair.
I reserved a walk, but I'm going to be late or unfortunately I can't come after all. What should I do?
Please try to make every effort to come for your walk because Claire and Gilbair really need their walk to be able to gain new insights to help protect our health and environment. If you really can't come, please contact the CLAIRE team as soon as possible by email (claire@uantwerpen.be) or by phone (the phone number can be found in your confirmation email).
Do I need technical experience to set up or handle the measuring equipment in the baby carriage?
No, we make sure that all measuring equipment is fully set up and ready to go for your walk. So you do not need any technical knowledge to participate in the CLAIRE project.
Am I insured? Is the measuring equipment insured against damage?
As a volunteer, you are insured during the walk. To this end, you must fill in and sign a volunteer note at the start of the walk. Please note that only the registered volunteer is insured. Is someone walking along? In that case, the University of Antwerp is not responsible for any accidents related to the extra person.
The measuring equipment is insured separately within the whole project. However, as a volunteer you are required to sign a paper at the beginning of the walk stating that you are responsible for the measuring equipment during the walk. That way we can be sure you will come back to us after the walk with Claire or Gilbair and the measuring equipment.
Do you have another question not listed here? Then contact us by email (claire@uantwerpen.be).