Levels Of Air Pollution Emissions Research Articles

State-of-the-Art and Recent Advances in the Abatement of Gaseous Pollutants from Waste-to-Energy

Despite their key role in integrated waste management, direct (incineration) and indirect (gasification/pyrolysis) waste combustion processes are still opposed by some of the general public due to the past emission levels of air pollutants. In fact, although the release of air pollutants (especially dioxin) to the atmosphere from waste combustion processes has gradually decreased over the years, thanks to the introduction of stricter regulations and more advanced removal technologies, there is still an unsolved problem regarding the public acceptance of waste-to-energy facilities. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art air pollution control (APC) technologies used in waste combustion facilities. Air pollution control technologies are designed to reduce or eliminate the emissions of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. These technologies are important for safeguarding public health, protecting ecosystems, complying with regulations, and promoting a more sustainable and resilient future for both local and global communities. This paper will highlight the complexity behind emission control and the efforts made by this sector over the years. This paper will also propose suggested configurations based on the interactions/complementarity between different APC technologies and recent findings to improve their performance.

The impact of traffic mobility measures on vehicle emissions for heterogeneous traffic in Lagos City

Emissions from vehicular traffic are one of the key drivers of urban environmental air pollution, degrading the ambient air quality in many African cities and across the globe. This study sought to assess the impact of traffic mobility measures on the emission levels of air pollutants from vehicle exhaust in Lagos, Nigeria. Traffic flow and vehicle mix were collected daily during morning, afternoon, and evening peak periods along selected arterial and two-lane collector roadways. Simultaneously, five (5) air pollutants from vehicular traffic emissions were observed at distinct monitoring stations along the roadways using portable gas detectors. The traffic flow and mobility measures were inputted into a multiple exponential model to estimate the concentration of each pollutant. The result of the vehicle fleet composition revealed 3.5%, 4.5%, 57%, 32%, 1.5%, and 2% for motorcycles, tricycles, personal cars, minibuses, large buses, and heavy goods vehicles, respectively, on the two-lane road and 10%, 35%, 27%, 10%, and 18% for motorcycles, personal cars, minibuses, large buses, and heavy goods vehicles, respectively, on the arterial. The results of a multiple exponential regression model (MER) showed significant contributions from traffic flow, speed, vehicle fleet proportion, and pollutant concentration (p <0.05). However, the impact on ambient air quality revealed severe pollution levels for CO and PM2.5, while SO2, NO2, and PM10 showed moderate, poor, and poor pollution levels. This study has provided evidence on how pollutant emissions increase rapidly during peak traffic conditions in heterogeneous traffic on different classes of roads and recommended policies for managing vehicle fleets and traffic congestion with the aim of reducing the impact on the ambient air quality and health of the public on heavily trafficked roadways in sub-Saharan African cities.

Analysis of annual citizen odor observation records and its relationship with meteorological factors: Çorlu / Tekirdağ case study

Odor pollution is a primary environmental problem and the most frequent public complaint. The emission levels of air pollutants, the distance of emission sources from residential areas, and topography and other geographical and meteorological conditions influence the level and intensity of air and odor pollution. Owing to the lack of standard management approaches, citizen survey studies supported by geographic information systems have become critical in collecting odor observation data in the immission site. In this study, FIDOL (frequency, intensity, duration, odor tone, and location) factor-based annual odor observation data were collected, using the Çorlu KODER mobile application. Statistical analysis determined whether meteorological factors affected the average daily number of odor observations (NOOs) throughout the year. Temperature was the meteorological factor with the most significant effect on the increase in average daily NOOs. Furthermore, it was determined whether the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model estimated the mixed layer height (MLH) and relative humidity (RH) parameters that significantly affected the average daily NOOs during August 2021–October 2021. This period was considered critical because over 80% of the annual NOOs occurred within this timeframe. MLH, RH, and MLH–RH significantly affected the average daily NOOs. Analysis using the Sturges classification revealed that odor observations were mainly intensified under low RH and MLH conditions. I In addition, the frequency of odor episodes increased under low MLH conditions. Seven consecutive odor episodes between August and October 2021 were further analyzed, considering the spatial and temporal distribution of odor observations, MLH and RH values, and back-trajectory findings. Analysis based on the air pollutant transport mechanism suggested that almost all of the odor episodes experienced in Çorlu within the study period were related to emissions from the organized industrial zone (OIZ) regions. The findings suggest that emissions from the OIZs located in the north-east and north of Çorlu have a more intense effect on odor observations in Çorlu residential areas.

Does air pollution influence internal migration? An empirical investigation on Italian provinces

This research analyzes the role that air pollution plays, controlling for other socio-economic factors, in the movement of the population among Italian provinces. In spite of the increased prominence of environmental degradation in the public policy debate, empirical evidence on the effects of air quality on the attraction or retention of people is still limited in Italy. This study aims at partly filling this gap. Specific attention is paid to the environmental risks presented in provinces contaminated by air pollution. We investigate whether population moves away from provinces with higher levels of air pollution emissions toward those characterized by lower levels, net of the other contextual factors associated with migration streams. While many factors can come into play on mobility decisions, it is suggested that the increased concerns with environmental risks may be influential in shaping internal migration choices. We discuss the implications of our findings for future policy options.

Effect of ambient air quality on subjective well-being among Chinese working adults

In the context of rapid urbanization and climate change in China, it is especially important to understand the effects of air quality on the subjective well-being of working adults because of their prolonged exposure to air pollutants. This study examines the relationship between ambient air pollutant emission levels and the subjective well-being of working adults using multilevel regression models based on a multilevel matching dataset formulated from the 2016 China Labor-Force Dynamics Survey, the 2016 China City Statistical Yearbook, and the 3rd-Quarter 2016 air pollution index released by the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. In particular, we examine whether these air pollutants affect subjective well-being and compare the results by age, population density, and regional settings in China. The results show that increased CO emissions compromise the happiness of working adults (β = −0.1574, p < 0.05 for happiness; β = −0.1759, p < 0.01 for life satisfaction). This negative effect is substantially ameliorated among older working adults (β = 0.0002), but is significantly stronger in medium-density (β = −0.2521 for happiness; β = −0.2451 for life satisfaction) and high-density cities (β = −0.3997 for happiness; β = −0.5736 for life satisfaction). In addition, CO emissions have less effect on life satisfaction for adult workers living in western China (β = −0.1051). The findings of this study have a strong potential to help policymakers improve the quality of life of residents through better-targeted approaches.

Dynamic simulation of the atmospheric environment improved by a focus on clean energy utilization of resource-based cities in China

Abstract Industrial structures in China's resource-based cities are unlikely to materially change in the short term, and the large quantities of air pollutants emitted by residents' energy consumption cause serious air pollution. It is therefore urgently required to frame policies that can be adopted to realize the sustainable development of a social economy under the constraint of atmospheric environment in China's resource-based cities. In this paper, we develop a dynamic optimization model by using input–output analysis with gross regional product (GRP) maximization as the objective function. This model contains three submodels: the socioeconomic submodel, atmo-environmental control submodel, and energy submodel. The model is applied to Tangshan City, a typical resource-based industrial city, to conduct a dynamic simulation with 13 terms from 2013 to 2025 and based on the data in 2012. The goal for the model operation is to realize the optimal development of a social economy under the restrain of certain emission levels of air pollutants. This goal is achieved by introducing a comprehensive policy that includes a residential clean energy promotion policy and an industry emission reduction policy, and industrial restructuring also plays a role by industrial subsidies. The simulation results demonstrate that sulfur dioxide ( S O 2 ) and nitrogen oxides ( N O x ) can be reduced by 53% and 45%, respectively, in Tangshan City in 2025 compared with their values in 2012 with an annual GRP growth rate of 6.2%. The total output of the clean energy in the simulation period is 41.4 million tons of standard coal. The goal of improving the atmospheric environment and sustainable development of social economies in resource-based cities can be achieved by coordinating the relationship among economic development, atmospheric environmental protection, and energy consumption through a dynamic optimization model with a comprehensive policy and industrial restructuring.

A reanalysis of fine particulate matter air pollution versus life expectancy in the United States

A reduction in population exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) has been associated with improvements in life expectancy. This article presents a reanalysis of this relationship and comments on the results from a study on the reduction of ambient air PM2.5 concentrations versus life expectancy in metropolitan areas of the United States. The results of the reanalysis show that the statistical significance of the correlation is lost after removing one of the metropolitan areas from the regression analysis, suggesting that the results may not be suitable for a meaningful and reliable inference. Implications: The observed loss of statistical significance in the correlation between the reduction of ambient air PM2.5 concentrations and life expectancy in metropolitan areas of the United States, after removing one of the metropolitan areas from the regression analysis, may raise concern for the policymakers in decisions regarding further reductions in permitted levels of air pollution emissions.

The impact of air pollution on low birth weight and infant mortality

This article discusses the impact of environmental factors on birth outcomes during the last two decades. It reiterates the correlation between air pollutants and adverse pregnancy including low birth weight (LBW) and infant mortality. Data sets are assembled for many OECD countries consisting of yearly air pollutants emissions including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Various health data are illustrated to suggest that countries with high emission levels of air pollutants seemed to increase with LBW and infant mortality. This article reports the association of pollutants, including particles and gases, on mortality in general and infant mortality in particular. To assess air pollution impact on infant mortality, Spearman's correlation is used to summarize and interpret data. This statistical method is used to assess the relationship between air pollution and infant mortality in many OECD countries between 2000 and 2009 using a monotonic function. The results illustrate a positive correlation between air pollution and infant mortality, and in some cases, Spearman's ρ-value is >0.9 and the p-value is <0.001. This article also backs up the association between some air pollutants and LBW and proposes the importance to design novel models for monitoring, controlling, and reducing air pollutants especially within cities and ultimately improving the well-being of communities worldwide.

A reanalysis of fine particulate matter air pollution versus life expectancy in the United States

A reduction in population exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) has been associated with improvements in life expectancy. This article presents a reanalysis of this relationship and comments on the results from a study on the reduction of ambient air PM2.5 concentrations versus life expectancy in metropolitan areas of the United States. The results of the reanalysis show that the statistical significance of the correlation is lost after removing one of the metropolitan areas from the regression analysis, suggesting that the results may not be suitable for a meaningful and reliable inference. Implications: The observed loss of statistical significance in the correlation between the reduction of ambient air PM2.5 concentrations and life expectancy in metropolitan areas of the United States, after removing one of the metropolitan areas from the regression analysis, may raise concern for the policymakers in decisions regarding further reductions in permitted levels of air pollution emissions.

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Growth Suppression and Adverse Effects on Human Health Due to Air Pollution in the Upper Silesian Industrial District (USID), Southern Poland

Air pollution emissions were not continually monitored in the Upper Silesian Industrial District (USID), southern Poland, and data is only available for the last 20 years. Long-lasting and severe tree ring reductions in pines growing 5–20 km north of the USID area recorded particularly high levels of air pollution emissions in the period 1950–1990. Especially high amounts of reductions and many missing rings were found in the period 1964–1981. At the same time, pines growing 60 km west of the USID do not record deep ring reductions; this proves that the phenomenon is of a regional nature. Increases in infant mortality and lung, bronchial, and tracheal cancer morbidity rates among males were also recorded in the USID during periods of high air pollution. Infant mortality rates increased several years after the tree ring reductions. Therefore, it may be possible to use tree ring reductions as an early indicator of the occurrence of adverse effects on human health.

Reassessing the Human Health Benefits from Cleaner Air

Recent proposals to further reduce permitted levels of air pollution emissions are supported by high projected values of resulting public health benefits. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency recently estimated that the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment (CAAA) will produce human health benefits in 2020, from reduced mortality rates, valued at nearly $2 trillion per year, compared to compliance costs of $65 billion ($0.065 trillion). However, while compliance costs can be measured, health benefits are unproved: they depend on a series of uncertain assumptions. Among these are that additional life expectancy gained by a beneficiary (with median age of about 80 years) should be valued at about $80,000 per month; that there is a 100% probability that a positive, linear, no-threshold, causal relation exists between PM(2.5) concentration and mortality risk; and that progress in medicine and disease prevention will not greatly diminish this relationship. We present an alternative uncertainty analysis that assigns a positive probability of error to each assumption. This discrete uncertainty analysis suggests (with probability >90% under plausible alternative assumptions) that the costs of CAAA exceed its benefits. Thus, instead of suggesting to policymakers that CAAA benefits are almost certainly far larger than its costs, we believe that accuracy requires acknowledging that the costs purchase a relatively uncertain, possibly much smaller, benefit. The difference between these contrasting conclusions is driven by different approaches to uncertainty analysis, that is, excluding or including discrete uncertainties about the main assumptions required for nonzero health benefits to exist at all.

Comparative Study of Regulated and Unregulated Air Pollutant Emissions before and after Conversion of Automobiles from Gasoline Power to Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Gasoline Dual-Fuel Retrofits

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is increasingly being examined as an alternative to gasoline use in automobiles as interest grows in reducing air pollutant emissions. In this study, emissions of regulated (CO, THC, NO(x)) and unregulated air pollutants, including CO2, particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and BTEX (acronym for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene), were measured before and after conversion of nine gasoline-powered automobiles to LPG/ gasoline dual-fuel retrofits. The tests were conducted on a standard chassis dynamometer in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency FTP-75 test procedure, with the exception that all tests were conducted under hot-start driving conditions. The influences of LPG on air pollutant emission levels and carcinogenic potency were investigated and compared with gasoline. The results showed average emission factors of 0.14 g/km, 0.33 mg/km, 0.09 g/km, 0.44 g/km, and 197 g/km for CO, THC, NO(x), PM, and CO2, respectively, for LPG/ gasoline dual-fuel retrofits. Paired-sample t-test results indicated that the emissions of CO (p = 0.03), THC (p = 0.04), and CO2 (p = 4.6 x 10(-8)) were significantly reduced with the retrofit in comparison with gasoline-powered automobiles. The reduction percentages were 71%, 89%, and 14% for CO, THC, and CO2, respectively. The average total PAH emission factor for LPG was 217 microg/km, which is significantly lower than gasoline (863 microg/km; p = 0.05). The PAH corresponding carcinogenicities (BaP(eq)) were calculated via toxic equivalencies based on benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Paired-sample t-test results fortotal BaP(eq) emissions showed no significant difference between gasoline (30.0 microg/km) and LPG (24.8 microg/km) at a confidence level of 95%. The discrepancy between PAH and BaP(eq) emissions resulted from the higher emission percentages of high molecular weight PAHs for LPG, which might be from lubricant oil. The average emission factors of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were 351, 4400, 324, and 1100 microg/ km, respectively, with LPG as fuel, which were all significantly lower than those for gasoline (95% confidence level). The average reduction percentages were 78%, 61%, 57%, and 58% for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, respectively.

Rail Noise‐Abatement Programmes: A Stated Choice Experiment to Evaluate the Impacts on Welfare

On the current political agenda, which is characterized by a major effort to minimize environmental transport externalities, the railway is considered an important sector for policy intervention. For example, when compared with road transportation, the railway is associated with lower levels of air pollution emissions, lower risks of fatalities, and reduced traffic congestion. However, it is also associated with noise pollution, which in turn can generate significant, negative welfare impacts on the population. Against this background, policy‐makers have been adopting a wide range of instruments targeted at the reduction of rail noise. The economic efficiency of this type of policy intervention can be discussed in terms of its overall welfare impact, which in turn may be contained within a cost–benefit analysis of alternative noise‐abatement policies. This paper reports a monetary valuation study of alternative rail noise‐abatement policies along the Brennero railway in north‐east Italy. The valuation study is based on a stated choice questionnaire undertaken in the 12 municipalities of the province of Trento that are currently exposed to excessive rail noise levels. This market valuation technique has hitherto not been applied to value rail noise damage. The valuation results indicate that: noise abatement makes sense from an economic perspective as long as its cost is not higher than €1 432 900; and construction of trackside barriers at the maximum height of 8 m is not ranked as the preferred policy instrument.

Application of the critical loads approach in South Africa

South Africa is the most industrialised country in southern Africa and stands at some risk from negative pollution inapa~ To the authors' knowledge, this paper presents the first attempt to apply the critical loads approach on the African corainent; although sensitivity mapping has been performed for Africa and the rest of the world (Kuylerstiema etal, this conference). Actual sulphate and base cation deposition loads in Mpumalanga (formerly the Eastern Transvaal province of South Africa) were mapped from 16 monitoring sites. The region is characterised by long, dry periods with little rain, high evaporation (up to 8 nun per day) and low run-off (15% of MAP). Provisional critical load and exceedance maps were produced for the surface waters using the Steady-State Water Chenfistry Model and the Diatom model. Maps of soil sensitivity to acid deposition, based on bedrock lithology, soil chemical characteristics and land cover, were produced. A weathering rate of 0.39-0.86 keq/ha/year was calculated for the most sensitive sites and taken as the critical load, based on the assumption that the weathering rate represents the buffering ability of the system. The critical loads were contrasted with measures of actual deposition to exanfine potential scenario's for critical load exceedances. Akey factor in refining the sensitivity nmps, and allowing estimation of the critical loads, is the accurate calculation of weathering rates under the warmer and more arid environmontal conditions prevalent in South Africa. In a developing country such as South Africa, where research resources are limited, the critical loads approach is a valuable means of assessing the risk of potential impacts of atmospheric deposition. South Africa is recognised as having comparatively high levels of air pollution emissions, particularly in the Eastern Transvaal Highveld. The total SO2 emission rate for the whole of South Africa is estimated to be 2.9 million tons per annum, of which 1.2 million tons are produced by coal-burning power stations. 75 % of these power stations are located in Mpumalanga (tbmlerly the Eastern Transvaal) (Annegarn et al, 1994; Tyson et al, 1988, Turner, pers. comm.). If the needs of South Africa as a developing nation are considered, the requirements tbr econonfic ~a'ox~N and associated employment, education, housing, and primary health cm'e, greatly overshadow issues relating to air pollution and its impacts. Since the critical loads approach can provide a basis on which cost-effective decisions can be made by regional and national authorities with respect to air quality, its potential use in South Africa was investigated. This paper presents the results of a pilot study to investigate the application of the critical loads approach in South Afi-ica.

Does Regulation Matter?: Evaluating the Effects of State Air Pollution Control Programs

Air pollution emissions have declined significantly since the passage of the Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970. Most policy observers have gone on to infer that the CAA has been the cause of these emissions reductions, though this claim has not received close empirical examination. In short, while air pollution emissions have been reduced, we do not know if these reductions are the result of pollution control regulation. In an effort to expand the study of policy outcomes, this article evaluates the effects various regulatory efforts have had on state air quality. The contention set forth here is that the strength of a state's air quality programs, along with other variables representing a political commitment to pollution control, have significant effects upon air pollutant emission levels. Using multiple regression and path analysis, these effects of regulation are apparent even when controlling for changes in economic activity, economic infrastructure, and fuel consumption, enabling us to conclude that in air pollution control, regulation does matter.

Review: Burning Refuse-Derived Fuel in a Rotary Cement Kiln

In cement kilns, combustion takes place under very high flame temperatures and relatively long residence times. These conditions are favourable for the burning of refuse waste. The purpose of this note is to review the combustion and pollutant emission implications of using such a fuel as a supplementary source of heat in a cement kiln. Based on technical and environmental considerations, the analysis of burning refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in a cement kiln shows that no special firing technology has to be installed except that of the RDF handling system, that there is an upper limit to the total fuel consumption (no more than 30 per cent) for firing RDF and that there is no increase in the emission levels of air pollutants (including acid gases, dioxins, furans, etc.). At present, there seems to be no economical advantage in burning RDF. However, if municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated in large amounts and financial support is provided by the local authority to cover the investment/operating costs, burning RDF in cement kilns will become economically attractive as well as feasible.

Mortality, migration, income and air pollution: A comparative study

Abstract The interrelationships among different demographic factors, specific causes of death, median family income, and estimated air pollution emissions were examined. Using the Medical Data Base (MEDABA) developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory, the entire population of the United States was cross-tabulated by income and emission levels of air pollutants. Path analysis was used to examine a number of patterns and relationships for each age, race, and sex group containing a minimum of 10,000 persons. Competitive and complementary effects were observed. These effects were frequently age dependent and occasionaly sex related. This specialized data base, the application of path analysis, and the development of a dynamic population and mortality model, in combination, proved to be