Industrial Sources Of Air Pollution Research Articles

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Air Pollution in an Industrialised City—A Case Study of Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan

Air quality issues still affect the quality of life for people in industrialised cities around the world. The investigations should include the identification of the sources of the pollution and its distribution in space and time. This work is the first attempt to perform identification of the sources of pollution in Ust-Kamenogorsk city in Kazakhstan. Analysis of retrospective data (including ten variables (TSP, SO2, CO, NO2, phenol, HF, HCl, H2SO4, formaldehyde, H2S) from five monitoring stations for the period 2017–2021) using multivariate statistical methods and hierarchical cluster analysis has been performed to assess spatiotemporal patterns of air quality of the city. The results indicate that the contamination patterns can be grouped into two categories: cold and warm seasons. The study revealed the dangerous concentrations of NO2 and SO2 exceeded the limits by 2–3 and 1.5–2 times, independently of the seasonality. Averaged concentrations of TSP slightly exceeded the established limits for the most industrialised part of the city. Concentrations of HF and formaldehyde significantly rose during the cold seasons compared to the warm seasons. Other chemical parameters significantly depend on the seasonality and locations of the sampling points. The major reason for air pollution is twofold—the use of a burnt-coal throughout the year for electricity and heat generation (especially during the cold seasons) and the high density of the heavy metallurgy industry in the city. The principal component analysis confirms a high loading of industrial sources of air pollution on both spatial and seasonal dimensions.

TREE LITTER PRODUCTION AND DECOMPOSITION IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS UNDER BACKGROUND CONDITIONS AND INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION

The paper provides an overview of Russian and foreign articles devoted to the study of the tree litter production and decomposition in forest ecosystems subjected to natural and anthropogenic factors. The spatial variability (below crown and between crown spaces) and the seasonal features of the tree litter production, its chemical composition, and decomposition processes are poorly studied. In addition, most of the works, both in Russia and foreign countries science, highlight the influence of natural factors on the litter production and the processes of its decomposition, while the impact of local sources of industrial air pollution is rarely considered. The study of the variability of the size, fractional and chemical composition and processes of decomposition of tree litter under conditions of industrial air pollution is important for predicting the dynamics of forest ecosystems subjected to the combined action of natural and anthropogenic factors and reducing the negative impact of production processes on forests.

Multi-process and multi-pollutant control technology for ultra-low emissions in the iron and steel industry

The iron and steel industry is not only an important foundation of the national economy, but also the largest source of industrial air pollution. Due to the current status of emissions in the iron and steel industry, ultra-low pollutant emission control technology has been researched and developed. Liquid-phase proportion control technology has been developed for magnesian fluxed pellets, and a blast furnace smelting demonstration project has been established to use a high proportion of fluxed pellets (80%) for the first time in China to realize source emission reduction of SO2 and NOx. Based on the characteristics of high NOx concentrations and the coexistence of multiple pollutants in coke oven flue gas, low-NOx combustion coupled with multi-pollutant cooperative control technology with activated carbon was developed to achieve efficient removal of multiple pollutants and resource utilization of sulfur. Based on the characteristics of co-existing multiple pollutants in pellet flue gas, selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) coupled with ozone oxidation and spray drying adsorption (SDA) was developed, which significantly reduces the operating cost of the system. In the light of the high humidity and high alkalinity in flue gas, filter materials with high humidity resistance and corrosion resistance were manufactured, and an integrated pre-charged bag dust collector device was developed, which realized ultra-low emission of fine particles and reduced filtration resistance and energy consumption in the system. Through source emission reduction, process control and end-treatment technologies, five demonstration projects were built, providing a full set of technical solutions for ultra-low emissions of dust, SO2, NOx, SO3, mercury and other pollutants, and offering technical support for the green development of the iron and steel industry.

Формирование и разложение древесного опада в лесных экосистемах в фоновых условиях и при аэротехногенном загрязнении

The paper provides an overview of Russian and foreign articles devoted to the study of the tree litter production and decomposition in forest ecosystems subjected to natural and anthropogenic factors. The spatial variability (below crown and between crown spaces) and the seasonal features of the tree litter production, its chemical composition and decomposition processes are poorly studied. In addition, most of the works, both in native and foreign countries science, highlight the influence of natural factors on the litter production and the processes of its decomposition, while the impact of point sources of industrial air pollution is rarely considered. The study of the variability of the size, fractional and chemical composition and processes of decomposition of tree litter under conditions of industrial air pollution is important for predicting the dynamics of forest ecosystems subjected to the combined action of natural and anthropogenic factors and reducing the negative impact of production processes on forests.

Emission Performance Quantitative Evaluation and Application of Industrial Air Pollution Sources

Treatment of industrial atmospheric emission sources is an important way to improve air quality, but accurate pollution control remains still an urgent challenge. Taking Xiqing District of Tianjin as an example, based on the second national pollution source census, this study carried out a quantitative evaluation of the pollutant emission performance of industrial enterprises and explored the significance, feasibility, and challenges facing emission performance evaluation. The results show that the emission performance of various industries in Xiqing District vary greatly. The pollutant emission performance level is closely related to an industry's own attributes, development scale, and management level. On the whole, the emission performance level of industries with high production process emission coefficients and a high proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises (such as furniture manufacturing, the metal products industry, ferrous metal smelting, and the rolling processing industry) is worse, while the emission performance of high-end industries represented by computer communication and other electronic equipment manufacturing and automobile manufacturing is generally better. The emission performance of different enterprises in the same industry also varies greatly. For example, the 11 enterprises with the worst performance in the metal machinery manufacturing industry only contributed 0.06% of industrial output yet their PM emission contribution reached 8.50%. The 19 worst-performing enterprises in the rubber and plastic industry contributed 4.76% of industrial output yet their VOCs emissions accounted for 43.59% of the total. At the same time, this study presents an emissions reduction plan according to the relevant technical guidelines of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Based on this, the cost of emissions reduction could be cut by as much as 90% when the pollutant emissions reductions of the same scale are reduced. The gap in the pollutant emissions performance of various industries and enterprises, the incongruity between economic benefits and environmental costs, and the important guiding role of emission performance evaluation for emissions reductions demonstrate the necessity of performance evaluation. Overall, this research shows that pollutant emission performance evaluation can effectively support macro-industrial structure adjustment and the environmental governance of meso-micro industrial enterprises, providing an important reference for pollution control interventions.

Invited Perspective: Air Pollution and Breast Cancer Risk: Current State of the Evidence and Next Steps.

Invited Perspective: Air Pollution and Breast Cancer Risk: Current State of the Evidence and Next Steps.

Childhood Leukemia in Small Geographical Areas and Proximity to Industrial Sources of Air Pollutants in Three Colombian Cities.

Acute leukemia is the most common childhood cancer and has been associated with exposure to environmental carcinogens. This study aimed to identify clusters of acute childhood leukemia (ACL) cases and analyze their relationship with proximity to industrial sources of air pollution in three capital cities in Colombia during 2000–2015. Incident ACL cases were obtained from the population cancer registries for the cities of Bucaramanga, Cali, and Medellín. The inventory of industrial sources of emissions to the air was obtained from the regional environmental authorities and industrial conglomerates were identified. The Kulldorf’s circular scan test was used to detect city clusters and to identify clusters around industrial conglomerates. Multivariable spatial modeling assessed the effect of distance and direction from the industrial conglomerates controlling for socioeconomic status. We identified industrials sectors within a buffer of 1 km around industrial conglomerates related to the ACL clusters. Incidence rates showed geographical heterogeneity with low spatial autocorrelation within cities. The spatio-temporal tests identified one cluster in each city. The industries located within 1 km around the ACL clusters identified in the three cities represent different sectors. Exposure to air pollution from industrial sources might be contributing to the incidence of ACL cases in urban settings in Colombia.

Implications for air quality management of changes in air quality during lockdown in Auckland (New Zealand) in response to the 2020 SARS-CoV-2 epidemic

The current changes in vehicle movement due to ‘lockdown’ conditions (imposed in cities worldwide in response to the COVID-19 epidemic) provide opportunities to quantify the local impact of ‘controlled interventions’ on air quality and establish baseline pollution concentrations in cities. Here, we present a case study from Auckland, New Zealand, an isolated Southern Hemisphere city, which is largely unaffected by long-range pollution transport or industrial sources of air pollution. In this city, traffic flows reduced by 60–80% as a result of a government-led initiative to contain the virus by limiting all transport to only essential services. In this paper, ambient pollutant concentrations of NO2, O3, BC, PM2.5, and PM10 are compared between the lockdown period and comparable periods in the historical air pollution record, while taking into account changes in the local meteorology. We show that this ‘natural experiment’ in source emission reductions had significant but non-linear impacts on air quality. While emission inventories and receptor modelling approaches confirm the dominance of traffic sources for NOx (86%), and BC (72%) across the city, observations suggest a consequent reduction in NO2 of only 34–57% and a reduction in BC of 55–75%. The observed reductions in PM2.5 (still likely to be dominated by traffic emissions), and PM10 (dominated by sea salt, traffic emissions to a lesser extent, and affected by seasonality) were found to be significantly less (8–17% for PM2.5 and 7–20% for PM10). The impact of this unplanned controlled intervention shows the importance of establishing accurate, local-scale emission inventories, and the potential of the local atmospheric chemistry and meteorology in limiting their accuracy.

A spatial analysis of childhood cancer and industrial air pollution in a metropolitan area of Colombia.

Air pollutants are considered carcinogenic to humans. In some European countries, an association between industrial air pollution and childhood cancer has been established. This relationship has not been addressed in Latin America, despite the spatial variability of air pollutants that may limit the extrapolation of the results to other geographical areas. To conduct a spatial analysis of the relationship between childhood cancer and proximity to industrial sources of air pollution in a metropolitan area of Colombia. Incident cases of childhood cancers were obtained from the Population-based Cancer Registry of the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga during 2000-2015. Local and focused cluster tests were used for the detection of spatial clusters, and the Poisson multivariable model was used to evaluate the combined effects of spatial variables. The Kulldorff's focused test found a significant spatial cluster (P<0.001) around one industrial agglomerate and the multivariable model results suggests that the distance effect is modified by the directional effect of the wind. A spatial cluster of incident cases of childhood cancer occurred in the municipality of Bucaramanga, Colombia. Our finding supports the hypothesis that childhood cancer might be related with industrial air pollution exposure in a Latin American city.

Spatial analysis of childhood leukemia and industrial air pollution sources in metropolitan areas of Colombia

Spatial analysis of childhood leukemia and industrial air pollution sources in metropolitan areas of Colombia

Thyroid cancer incidence in women and proximity to industrial air pollution sources: A spatial analysis in a middle size city in Colombia

Manizales, a mid-size city in Colombia, hosts industries like metallurgy, electrical, chemical, and rubber and plastic industrial facilities that have released into atmosphere some pollutants postulated as thyroid cancer (TC) promoters, such as dioxins and furans, dichloromethane, lead and copper. In this article we aim to detect clusters of TC and analyze their spatial association with industrial pollution. TC cases (2003–2010) were obtained from Manizales' Population-based Cancer Registry (PCR-Mz). Atmospheric emissions from industries were obtained from official reports of environmental authority. Data was spatially aggregated into census tracts and analyzed with Bayesian Besag-York and Mollié (BYM) models. Three exposure approaches were used: i) presence or absence of industries into census tracts, ii) sum of air discharges, and iii) an exposure index (EI) that considered the distance and orientation of the census tract regard to industries, average wind direction and speed, and population mobility. Models were fitted by exposure definition and sex, and included traffic and socioeconomic variables for adjustment. Using the Kulldorff's spatial exploration statistic we also performed point-data analyses in order to detect and localize clusters with individual data.Ecological regression models showed that, for women, smoothed standardized incidence ratio (sSIR) increase in 15% [95% credibility interval: 3–27%] and 63% [95%CI: 18–125%] per one standard deviation increase in EI for dichloromethane and PCDDs/Fs, respectively. Point-data analysis confirmed a cluster of female cases close to an industry emitting chlorinated solvents. These results suggest that dichloromethane and PCDDs/Fs emitted from industrial sources might be suspected as thyroid cancer risk factors.

Proximity to two main sources of industrial outdoor air pollution and emergency department visits for childhood asthma in Edmonton, Canada.

Children are recognized to be more susceptible than healthy adults to the effects of air pollution; however, relatively few Canadian studies of children have focused on industrial emissions. We conducted a spatial cross-sectional study to explore associations between emergency department (ED) visits for childhood asthma and residential proximity to two industrial sources of air pollution (coal-fired power plant and petrochemical industry) in Edmonton, Canada. Using administrative health care data for Alberta between 2004 and 2010, we conducted a spatial analysis of disease clusters of count data around these two industrial sources. The distance from children's place of residence to these industrial sources was determined by using the six-character postal code from the children's ED visit. Clusters of cases were identified at the census dissemination area. Negative binomial multivariable spatial regression was used to estimate the risks of clusters in relation to the distance to these industrial sources. The relative risk of ED visits for asthma, calculated using a spatial scan test for events, was 10.4 (p value &lt;0.01) within the power plant area when compared with the outside area. In addition, there was an inverse association of the distance to the power plant (coefficient = -0.01 per km) with asthma visits when multivariable models were used. No asthma clusters were identified around the petrochemical industrial area. Our analyses revealed that there was a cluster of ED visits for asthma among children who lived near the coal-fired power plant just outside Edmonton.

Models of self-organizing artificial neural networks to identify stationary industrial sources of air pollution

A problem of identifying one particular or a few possible pollution sources that are responsible for the deterioration of the air quality as a result of exceeding the standards of the maximum permissible emissions is considered. A model problem for a group of spatially divided stationary permanent industrial sources is solved. A statement identifying the problem and a method to solve it using two architectures of artificial neural networks, Kohonen’s networks for learning vector quantization with fixed and adaptive structures, as well as adaptive resonance theory network for analog inputs (ART-2), are presented. The method consists of clustering the data provided by self-learning algorithms (unsupervised learning). Estimation equations are given and operation algorithms of Kohonen’s and adaptive resonance theory networks at different life cycle stages are described. The results of the solution of the model problem that are obtained using each network is performed are comparatively analyzed.

Associations between urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress and air pollutants observed in a randomized crossover exposure to steel mill emissions.

The effects of industrial air pollution on human health have not been as thoroughly investigated as those of urban air pollution which originates mostly from automotive transport. To better assess the health impacts of point sources of industrial air pollution, a randomized crossover exposure study was conducted. Sixty one young and healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to spend five consecutive eight-hour days near a steel mill or at a location five kilometres away. After a nine or sixteen-day washout period, volunteers spent another five consecutive days at the second site. Meteorological conditions and air pollutants were monitored at both exposure sites. On each exposure day, the first morning urine was collected along with a second urine sample obtained immediately before leaving the exposure site at the end of the day. Urinary levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage), malondialdehyde (MDA, a biomarker of lipid peroxidation), 8-isoprostane (8-IsoP, a bioactive metabolite resulting from the peroxidation of arachidonic acid) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF, involved in response to oxidative stress) were measured. According to mixed-effects linear regression models, intra-individual variations in 8-OHdG urinary levels were significantly associated with exposure site, but surprisingly, lower levels were observed at the steel mill site. Delayed, temporally-defined associations with specific air pollutants were observed for 8-OHdG, 8-IsoP and VEGF. However, these associations were subtle, presented complex patterns and their biological consequences remain unclear.

Source Impact Determination using Airborne and Ground Measurements of Industrial Plumes.

Industrial particulate matter (PM) air pollution exposing nearby residential areas forms several European air pollution hot-spots. One of these hot-spot is the residential district of Ostrava Radvanice-Bartovice with frequent exceedances for PM and benzo[a]pyrene B[a]P, a carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) of MW > 228 amu. Such PAHs are highly bonded to the ultrafine particles (UFPs), the smallest PM size fraction, which deposits most efficiently in the alveolar region of human lungs. Airborne measurements identified UFP point sources in the adjacent metallurgical complex and mapped limited horizontal and vertical dispersion of industrial plumes enriched with UFPs (3.2 × 10(5)cm(-3)). The plumes, episodes of simultaneous peaks of UFPs (1.4 × 10(5)cm(-3)), SO2 (88.2 ppb), and CO (11.3 ppm), were recorded on the ground downwind in the residential district when wind speeds >1 ms(-1). In the plumes, UFPs were mostly 19-44 nm in diameter, enriched with PAHs/B[a]P up to 43.8/3.5 mg·g(-1). Electron microscopy showed that these plume UFPs were mostly agglomerates of spherules of 30-50 nm in diameter. These source impact measurements, that combine airborne and ground-level measurements, are applicable to clearly identify specific industrial air pollution sources and provide information to assess their possible impact to human health in similar hot-spots worldwide.

Evaluation of control strategies for industrial air pollution sources using American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model with simulated meteorology by Weather Research and Forecasting Model

Industrial air pollution creates severe problems and evaluation of control scenarios rationally which can be carried out using air quality models. In this study, an industrial region Chembur in Mumbai city was selected to estimate air quality change for various control scenarios. Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and AMS/EPA Regulatory Model (AERMOD) were used for this study. Since, the industries of Chembur region were already existing and residential and commercial zones were pre-set in the domain, so scenarios like increment of stack height and fuel change of industries can help to make better and healthier air quality. Scenarios selected were the 10% (SH1), 25% (SH2) and 50% (SH3) increment of height of stacks of industry and use of low emission fuel (F1 and F2) in the industries. Industrial air pollution modelling was done for current scenario as well as proposed control scenarios. The reduction of air quality level for each control scenario was calculated. Overall scenario SH3 as expected had more or less maximum reduction at ground level concentration for various temporal cases for all pollutants. However, it would cause more residence time of pollutants in atmosphere. Also this scenario was not based on source emission reduction strategy. Scenario F1 considers fuel with lowest emission and source emission reduction strategy. Therefore, scenario F1 seems to be the most preferred option for all pollutants among all scenarios. This study can help in taking objective and rational decisions for control scenarios for industrial sources.

Comparison of 24-hour vs. Inversion-Period Integrated Samples of PM2.5 and Elemental Carbon in Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Background: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is home to local industrial sources of air pollution, periods of heavy traffic congestion, a complex terrain of river valleys and hills, and frequent atmospheric subsidence inversions. A two-year monitoring campaign was designed to capture intra-urban seasonal variability in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations. Inversion-focused integrated monitoring was performed during year one (2011-2012), vs. 24-hour integrated sampling during year two (2012-2013). Methods: Spatial distributions of local pollution sources (i.e., traffic, industry) and potential modifiers (i.e., elevation) were explored via geographic information systems (GIS). Sampling locations (n=38) were allocated to capture spatial and source variability across a metropolitan domain (~150 sq. miles). Results: In year one, we found temporally-adjusted mean PM2.5 concentrations of 14.1 ± 3.6 µg/m3 for summer and 12.5 ± 2.4 µg/m3 for winter. In year two, we found slightly lower mean PM2.5 concentrations of 13.8 ± 2.8 µg/m3 for summer and 11.5 ± 3.7 µg/m3 for winter. Mean seasonal EC ranged from 1.3 ± 0.51 abs during winter to 1.80 ± 0.46 abs during summer for year one. Temporal variability, industrial land use, and elevation were significant predictors in land use regression (LUR) modeling, resulting in final pollutant-specific seasonal R2 from 0.58 for PM2.5 to 0.76 for EC during year one, and 0.71 for EC to 0.86 for PM2.5 during year two. Seasonal-specific factor analysis for trace metals will be performed for the four seasons, for source apportionment analyses. Conclusions: The paired 24-hour and inversion-focused stationary monitoring campaigns were used to explore spatial variability and seasonal contrasts in PM2.5 and EC concentrations under inversion conditions, improving source apportionment analyses. Industry and elevation were the stronger identified predictors of spatial variability for both PM2.5 and EC.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACT OF COAL USE FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION

Introduction: Coal will continue to play a major role in the global energy system for the coming decades. Consideration of environmental issues are raised by many environmental protection bodies, health authorities and governments specially land use, air pollution, waste management and water management. Management of coal dust having heavy metals, gas emission carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), methane and ozone, also radiation are the primary area of concern to all environmental preservation bodies and governments. Climate change mitigation policies and measures may put stricter caps on emission of greenhouse gases. Among all industrial sources of air pollution, none poses greater risks to human health and the environment than coal-fired power plants. Health problems linked coal-fired power plants has been claimed for many deaths, cardiac diseases, asthma and cancers. Conclusion and recommendation: latest environmental and health assessment indicated that coal plant emissions of key particle-forming pollutants like CO2, SO2 and NOx, methane, ozone and heavy metals over the last several years, contribute to a significant toll on health and longitivity of millions. Scientists in the field of health and environment declared their fear from using coal in energy production in Egypt as it may worsen quality of the environment and hence Egyptian health. After the Egyptian cabinet declaration ,in April 2014, of use of coal for energy production it worth mentioning that strict strategies should be followed for mitigating of coal’s environmental impacts .

Effect of industrial air pollution on wild plant seed germination and seedling growth

Germination of the following wild plant seeds was studied: bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), cowberry (V. vitis-idaea L.), bog bilberry (V. uliginosum L.), black crowberry (Empetrum hermaphroditum Hagerup), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.), bunchberry (Chamaepericlymenum suecicum (L.) Aschers. et Graebn.), cottongrass (Eriophorum polystachion L.), goldenrod (Solidago lapponica With.), fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.), marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre L.), cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The seeds were collected at different distances from the source of industrial air pollution (Severonickel smelter complex, Murmansk region). The task was the assessment of potential possibility of restoring corrupted north forest plant communities via seed propagation. By the response of reproductive structures to stressor, investigated species were divided into 3 groups: tolerant (members of the genus Vaccinium and Ch. angustifolium); moderately tolerant (C. palustre, E. polystachion, A. uva-ursi, and R. chamaemorus); and sensitive (P. sylvestris, E. hermaphroditum, and S. lapponica). Laboratory seed germinability of Vaccinium species was high (> 90%) regardless of the levels of Ni and Cu accumulation in the seeds and the index of technogenic load, whereas this index in E. hermaphroditum and P. sylvestris seeds was significantly reduced with the increase in the heavy metal contents in the seeds. The greenhouse experiments with the seeds of three Vaccinium species collected in the background area and in the zone of the highest pollution and germinated on the forest litter from the same sites and observation for seedling development allow us to conclude that a potential possibility of these species to seed propagation are not limited by their seed viability even under conditions of the highest technogenic load. In sites of environment pollution, the high metal content in the upper soil layer is the main factor limiting plant seed propagation.

Are Maternal Occupation and Residential Proximity to Industrial Sources of Pollution Related?

We examined the relation between maternal occupation and residential proximity to industrial sources of pollution in two case-control study populations of birth defects. Occupational and residential information were obtained from Texas live birth records and maternal interviews of Texas participants in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Residential proximity to industrial sources of air pollution was determined through geographic information systems. With adjustment for maternal race/ethnicity and education, women in production occupations were twice as likely (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 3.0) to reside near these facilities than women in management/professional occupations and more likely to reside near such facilities than other occupational groups. Occupation and residence appear related; therefore, both sources of potential exposures may need to be considered to understand the relative contribution of either source to risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.