Physical and chemical indicators of urban visual air quality judgments

Abstract

Key issues in the selection of physical/chemical measures of atmospheric properties as indicators of judgments of visual air quality are addressed. The relations between measures and judgments made over a variety of times, observation locations and atmospheric conditions are examined experimentally. Light scattering measured throughout the day at a site characterized by high aerosol concentrations was the single measure most strongly related to judgments of visual air quality. A combination of measures taken at a single site and/or other sites are somewhat better indicators of visual air quality than light scattering alone. Light extinction measured by a telephotometer is strongly related to midday visual air quality. The 4-h averaged fine particle sulfur and 12-h averaged fine particle S, sulfate, nitrate and ammonium are all strongly related to the corresponding mean visual air quality. Although these midday hourly and 4-h and 12-h average measures may be used to indicate trends in visual air quality, hourly measures taken throughout the day are required for monitoring diurnal patterns or worst case visual air quality. The application of the method and findings to understanding visual air quality in other urban areas is discussed.