A toy doll is being used to help gauge air quality levels in Antwerp, Belgium. 

Baby Claire, along with members of the University of Antwerp trekked 7.5km, or around 10,000 steps across the city, while carrying three electric sensors in the doll's pram.

The sensors measure the amount of particle pollution in the air, which is usually emitted by car exhausts and factories.

Roeland Samson, a bioengineering professor at the University of Antwerp and a member of the team behind the initiative said: "We analyze particulate matter in 2 size fractions: 10 [micrometers] and 2.5 (micrometers) and ultra-fine particles, which are even more dangerous, because they really can penetrate the lungs deeply and can even enter our blood system."

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Due to its notorious traffic and factories, Belgium has become one of the most polluted countries in Europe.

"It's not only Antwerp, I would say it's Flanders in general. We have very dense building, we have a very intense and intensively used traffic network, so that of course there is a lot of emission of pollutants into the atmosphere," Samson said.

The university has also involved several volunteers in the initiative to help spread the world about the dangers of air pollution.

"It is very important to get citizens involved in science. One way of course is that you can extend your data set. But more importantly they become very aware with what is going on," Samson added.

Air pollution is responsible for about 7 million deaths worldwide each year, according to the United Nations. And there is a fear the problem will get worse.

Among those concerned include Veerle Bonaers, a volunteer taking part in the Antwerp initiative.

"I have a child myself and I worry that she grows up in a very polluted city and that it might affect her health in a long term," she said.

Greenpeace Belgium has been calling for people to do their bit to improve air quality across the country. 

Joeri Thijs, a senior climate campaigner at the organization, said: "We need to go away from fossil-fuel cars, we need to go to electric cars that can be fueled with renewable energy, but most of all we need to go to a different kind of mobility with much less cars, and better alternatives."

Video editing: Terry Wilson