Project Description: Provide an overview of your project (max 200 words), including the main objectives and the innovation aspects

This project entails an interdisciplinary research study investigating air pollution in the Greater Beirut Area. It brings together faculty and researchers from the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine to better understand the impact of urban emissions on air quality and public health. The study will involve the deployment of both reference-grade and low-cost air monitoring stations across Beirut and surrounding regions. These stations will continuously collect data on weather conditions, particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), nitrogen oxides (NO, NO₂, NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), elemental carbon, trace metals, dioxins, and furans. All collected data will be integrated into a central online platform, accessible through web and mobile applications, allowing for real-time data visualization and analysis. The project will also include modeling of emission dispersion plumes from diesel generators, vehicles, power plants, and industrial sources, and will explore correlations between air pollution exposure and medical symptoms.

This project proposes the establishment of the Beirut Air Quality and Health Impact Observatory (BAQHIO)—a long-term, multidisciplinary research initiative aimed at transforming national capabilities in air pollution monitoring, exposure assessment, and public-health analysis. Bringing together experts from the School of Engineering, the School of Medicine, data science, and environmental policy, the Observatory will generate an integrated, evidence-based framework to understand and mitigate the health and environmental impacts of urban emissions in Lebanon. The project will deploy a dense hybrid network of reference-grade monitoring stations and low-cost sensor arrays across Beirut and surrounding municipalities. These stations will continuously measure meteorological conditions, particulate matter (PM₂.₅/PM₁₀), NO/NO₂/NOx, SO₂, VOCs, PAHs, PCBs, elemental carbon, metals, dioxins, and furans. Data will be streamed into a secure cloud-based platform supporting real-time visualization, advanced analytics, and automated quality assurance. Over multiple years, the team will conduct high-resolution dispersion modeling for key pollution sources—diesel generators, transportation corridors, power plants, industrial zones—and develop seasonal and event-based emission profiles. Parallel research within the School of Medicine will assess population exposure and investigate associations between pollutant levels and respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological symptoms, using clinical data, community surveys, and wearable monitoring devices. The Observatory will generate the first air quality–health dataset for Beirut, yielding actionable insights to support regulatory planning, energy policy reform, urban design, and emergency response. It will also serve as a national training hub, engaging students, municipalities, and ministries in capacity building and knowledge transfer.

Desired disciplines

Bioinformatics, Biology, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Engineering, Marketing/Advertising, Chemistry, Medicine

Team Leader

Dr. Mahmoud Wazne

Other Faculty Involved:

Partner