Background Atmospheric pollution is an important challenge for all EU Member States. There is clear evidence of its dangerous consequences on both the environment and human health. It can also corrode materials in buildings etc, as well as having a detrimental effect on agricultural and forestry production. However, tackling atmospheric pollution is a complex and diffuse problem, since it is an extended phenomenon, generated by many activities. Notable and increasing contributors include rising industrial and energy production, burning fossil fuels, increasing traffic, heating, etc. For more than 40 years, the EU has been implementing directives – such as the Ambient Air Quality directive (96/62/EC) - to tackle air pollutants. Under the Sixth Environment Action Programme of the European Community (2002-2012) the EU launched a Thematic Strategy on Air pollution “in order to attain levels of air quality that do not give rise to significant negative impacts on, and risks to human health and environment". The European Commission has set air quality objectives to achieve by 2020 and fixed targets per pollutant. Since accession to the EU in 2007, Romania has sought to apply EU environmental legislation. The necessary administrative structure had been established and begun to work and a national strategy was adopted to tackle climate change. However, in 2008, the country again reported that their PM10 (particulate matter Objectives The ROMAIR project aimed to help the Romanian authorities improve public health and quality of life, and to limit climate change impacts, with a comprehensive air quality modelling and forecasting system. It ultimately hoped to help Romania meet European limits for PM10 levels in the air. Through ROMAIR, the beneficiary sought to use its expertise in computer-based simulation systems, research studies and consulting services to provide Romanian environment protection agencies with the necessary tools to: Identify critical pollutants and critical areas – especially regarding impact on public health; Assist in the Implementation of the Romanian laws derived from European Directives on Air Quality; Evaluate the efficiency of ambient air quality actions proposed at various levels before implementing them; Assess the interaction between actions oriented towards pollution reduction and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions – such as desulfurisation of thermal plants; Base their future GHG reduction plans on initial inventories; and Explore the impact of climate change on public health, due to the evolution of the meteorological conditions in Romania.The planned system expected to enable authorities to actively fight air pollution, reach a higher level of air quality, and more efficient and deeper strategic planning. Moreover, it hoped to also bring about changes in citizens’ long-term air-polluting behaviour through the diffusion of best practices. Results ROMAIR successfully developed tools for air-quality modelling and decision making for Romanian environmental bodies. It should make an important contribution in enabling Romania to meet EU air quality targets by targeting legislation and awareness-raising actions in the most important areas. The project purchased an Arcview GIS database and collated into it the necessary geo-localised data from Romania, specifically: Traffic data, using 45 counting stations, traffic fleet distribution data and road network information; Emissions sources, creating an inventory of emission sources other than traffic, including 4 200 large point sources, 16 420 line sources and 7 744 area sources; Air quality, using data from 114 geo-referenced stations; and Meteorological data from 17 weather stations. ROMAIR categorised measurement stations and emissions according to activity sectors and source types. The emissions data was aggregated into a modular package called Emission Manager. It also configured a traffic modelling system – CARUSO – for the calculation of traffic flow and traffic emissions in Romania with special focus on Bucharest. The model was tested at Romania and Bucharest levels, which enabled improvements to be made. Simulations were then run with satisfactory results and subsequent data used to improve the model further. The project developed a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. To support this, it reviewed the reliability and completeness of the current data sources in Romania. It conducted field experiments with a mobile monitoring unit measuring NOx, CO, CO2 and O3 and tests with wind and aerosol LIDAR equipment over Bucharest. The weather stations showing good reliability were given a higher priority in the model validation than those with lower confidence, but generally confirmed the quality of the forecast generated by the WRF model. The project adapted the beneficiary’s photochemical dispersion model, CHIMERE, to the Romanian conditions. CHIMERE was fed with information from the Emission Manager and the WRF. CHIMERE was then able to produce daily forecasts of ozone, aerosols and other pollutants for the next 60 hours. It was validated in 2010 against measurement data from the previous year with satisfactory results. Maps of pollution levels are now available to the public on the ROMAIR web site. The validated air-quality modelling system was finally applied in scenario mode for evaluating national and regional plans related to emission abatement strategies aiming to reduce air pollution. Five scenarios reflecting realistic short or medium term solutions to air quality problems and traffic planning were elaborated and modelled. At the final phase of the project, ten days of technical training were organised to support independent use of the system and models by local decision-makers. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).