Dr Zaheer Nasar

Areas of expertise

• Air
• Environment and Health
• Environmental Policy
• Hazardous Substances
• Waste Management and Resource Efficiency

Background

Dr Nasar’s research interest lies in physico-chemical and biological characterisation of aerosols, their spatio-temporal dynamics in different environments, societal impacts and developing control measures, with a specific focus on particulate matter (PM) and bioaerosols, across natural and indoor environments. He has extensively investigated aerosol and bioaerosols sources and dynamics under controlled as well as real-world built environments, the relationship between indoor/outdoor air quality and indoor air hygiene control measures in both the developed and developing world (EP/G029881/1, FP7-242497). He is leading Cranfield’s work on the single-particle characterisation of biological materials in PM from different indoor and outdoor environments by using Light-Induced Fluorescence based sensor systems capable of performing a range of measurements on single particles in real-time ( NERC NE/M01163/1). He is Co-I on the Indoor/Outdoor Bioaerosols Interface and Relationships Network (BioAirNet/ NE/V002171/1) and also a member of BSI committee EH/2/5 - Emissions to internal environments as an expert on bioaerosols.

Current activities

Advancing the use of real-time characterisation of bioaerosols - A step-change in our understanding of the physico-chemical properties and biological behaviour of bioaerosols can only be achieved through characterisation of single particles in real-time. Single particle ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence (UV-LIF) detection systems combined with optical particle measurement (size and shape) in real-time shows the greatest promise. We are advancing scientific knowledge and the evidence base on the fluorescence characteristics of environmentally-relevant biological materials and interferants.

Understanding the interplay between particulate pollution, urban forms and demographics - High-resolution spatio-temporal data on PM emissions across different socio-environmental scenarios in cities can advance the knowledge on PM source apportionment and elucidate the role of urban forms and demographics in PM emissions and shaping determinants of the resultant human exposure. We are investigating the spatio-temporal trends in PM (ultrafine, fine and coarse) concentrations and their determinants in varying socio-environmental scenarios and how different elements of urban forms and demographics affect exposure to PM emissions in cities. 

Enabling mitigating the air quality challenges in Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) - Increasing levels of air pollution (indoors and outdoors) in Hindu Kush Himalaya and the adjacent Indo Gangetic Plains have significant environmental and human health consequences at regional and global levels.  We are assessing the existing air quality issues and their drivers to support the development of air quality observation capacities to adopt low-cost technological innovations to inform policies and actions to mitigate air pollution for improved environmental and human health in HKH.

Publications

• Articles in journals
• Conference papers
• Books