The main objective of WP5 is to develop novel methods for exposome data collection and enrichment, based on new and complementary data sources. It aims to offer new insights into aspects of the built and natural environment that are not covered by conventional datasets.

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WP5 will develop novel methods for the collection of exposure-related data from new sources. These include social media, online mapping platforms, discussion websites, street-level imagery, crowdsourcing campaigns, and sensors embedded in the city infrastructure. By linking new data with birth cohorts, we aim to offer new insight into aspects of the built and natural environment that are not covered by conventional datasets. Micropopulation statistics collected by local, national and international statistical offices will also be assessed to capture the social environment a child grows up in at an area – e.g. neighbourhood – level.

Exposure indicators relating to air pollution, noise, social inequalities, and other physical and social properties of the built environment will be the focus of this work package. To further unlock knowledge on properties of the built and natural environment, we will involve people by means of crowdsourcing campaigns to benefit from human-based annotations of the collected data. WP5 will also develop and release tools for exposome data collection and enrichment.

18 month update

The main objective of WP5 is to develop novel methods for the collection of data related to
environmental exposures from new sources, and for the enrichment of existing birth cohorts and school studies.

Working groups have been organized focusing on the built environment and geospatial variables. These working groups aim to identify what data on the external exposome are available and which variables mental health experts would like to gain insight into. A key outcome of WP5 is the development of a tool that enriches the cohort and school study data available to Equal-Life with aspects pertaining to people’s experiences of the surrounding built and natural environments (e.g. sound, smell, perceived air quality, visual aesthetic) and human behaviour over time. The first prototype of this Data Collection & Enrichment tool has been presented and is currently being developed further. An example of this tool is available in the form of an online map viewer.

Novel sources for the enrichment of cohort data include: 1) online mapping platforms, 2) user-generated content from web sources (e.g. social media, public fora, discussion websites etc.) and 3) crowdsourcing campaigns (inviting the public to share their knowledge and perspectives). WP5 partners have further identified factors and developed protocols to include smart noise and air quality monitoring from different cities within the Equal-Life project.

WP5 plays an active role in the European Human Exposome Network (EHEN, see WP11 & the EHEN website). Here, WP5's role involves exchanging knowledge, data needs, indicators of interest, and the measurement of exposures related to the built and natural environments.