Karine Elihn Researcher
Contact
Name and title: Karine ElihnResearcher
Visiting address Room V 217Svante Arrheniusväg 8 C, Geohuset
Postal address Institutionen för miljövetenskap106 91 Stockholm
About me
I am an associate professor in environmental science and my research focuses on air pollution and its effect on human health. Every day we inhale a wide range of pollutants present in the air. Some of the questions I aim to answer in my research are: What concentrations of air pollutants are found in cities, indoor environments and at workplaces? What happens when these pollutants reach and deposit in our lungs? What makes one pollutant more toxic than another?
I have developed an ALI (air-liquid interface) system in which cultured lung cells are exposed to airborne particles and gases. Thereby, I can examine what happens when we inhale exhausts from different transportation modes (nPETS EU project) and flights (Stockholm Trio – Airport emissions), wear particles from brakes (Brake VR project), smoke from cigarettes and radon that has accumulated in the home (RadoNORM EU project), or quartz particles from processing of stone benchtops (QuartzTOX Forte project).
Another important aspect of my work is linking pollutant toxicity to their chemical and physical properties, in order to better understand their effects on human health.
In the spring of 2026, a new course will start in the Environmental and Health Protection Master’s Programme, called Health Protection
In addition, I teach in the courses Environment and Health Toxicology for Environmental Scientists
My research aims to increase our understanding of the toxicity of different air pollutants. Their relative toxicity can determine which pollutant is more harmful than another. Studies can, for example, include toxicity testing of diesel exhaust versus petrol exhaust to put them in relation to each other. Chemical characterization of each pollutant can provide additional information on particle composition in relation to toxic effects.
In my research
I use an Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) exposure system
studies
of collected particles
,
is that they allow investigation
not only of particles but also of gases.
Ongoing and recently completed projects
QuartzTOX (Forte), starting 2026
.
A project investigating the toxicity of dust from various quartz-containing materials, with a particular focus on dust from artificial
stone
kitchen countertops containing high levels of crystalline silica.
Emissions from Airports (Stockholm Trio), 2025–2026
.
Investigating particle concentrations at airports, with a special focus on nanoparticles. Particle collection also allows for chemical analyses and laboratory toxicity testing.
Brake wear (VR), 2025–2029
.
Examining particles and gases released from different brake systems during wear, as well as the formation of secondary aerosols.
Concentrator (Åforsk), 2023–2026
.
Developing and evaluating equipment that concentrates air pollutants for use in combination with a lung cell exposure system.
nPETS (EU), 2021–2025
.
Characterized aerosols (mainly nanoparticles) from various modes of transport, including cars, trains, planes, and ships
via p
hysical, chemical, and toxicological characterization. In situ measurements of toxic properties were conducted using the ALI system.
RadoNORM (EU), 2020–2025
. C
haracterized the toxic properties of cigarette smoke, radon, and their combination using an ALI exposure system.
NanoQuartz (Forte), 2020–2025
.
Mapped nanoparticle concentrations from the processing of various quartz-containing materials and developed a method to characterize crystalline silica in nanoparticle samples
.
Kagghamra waste fire
.
Characterization of the emissions from the waste fire at Kagghamra in Sweden in 2020-2021, reported in scientific journals (published in 2023, 2025).