Violations Of Air Quality Standards Research Articles

The Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Power Plant Emissions on Birth Weight: Evidence from a Pennsylvania Power Plant Located Upwind of New Jersey.

To examine the infant health impact of prenatal exposure to power plant emissions, we draw scientific evidence on the impacted region downwind of a large polluter, a coal-fired power plant located on the border of two states and proven to be the sole contributor to the violation of air quality standards of the impacted region. Our results show that among all live singleton births that occurred during 1990 through 2006, those born to mothers living as far as 20 to 30 miles away downwind from the power plant (which is also an affluent region) during pregnancy are at greater risks of low birth weight (LBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW): the likelihoods of LBW and VLBW could increase approximately by 6.50 and 17.12 percent, respectively. In light of the continual efforts of The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in reducing cross-state air pollution caused by transboundary power plant emissions, our study is aimed at broadening the scope of cross-border pollution impact analysis by taking into account adverse infant health effects of upwind polluters, which can impose disproportionate burdens of health risks on downwind states due to air pollutants transported by wind.

Air quality modeling for Warsaw agglomeration

Abstract The paper investigates the air quality in the urban area of Warsaw, Poland. Calculations are carried out using the emissions and meteorological data from the year 2012. The modeling tool is the regional CALMET/CALPUFF system, which is used to link the emission sources with the distributions of the annual mean concentrations. Several types of polluting species that characterize the urban atmospheric environment, like PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SO2, Pb, B(a)P, are included in the analysis. The goal of the analysis is to identify the most polluted districts and polluting compounds there, to check where the concentration limits of particular pollutants are exceeded. Then, emission sources (or emission categories) which are mainly responsible for violation of air quality standards and increase the adverse health effects, are identified. The modeling results show how the major emission sources – the energy sector, industry, traffic and the municipal sector – relate to the concentrations calculated in receptor points, including the contribution of the transboundary inflow. The results allow to identify districts where the concentration limits are exceeded and action plans are needed. A quantitative source apportionment shows the emission sources which are mainly responsible for the violation of air quality standards. It is shown that the road transport and the municipal sector are the emission classes which substantially affect air quality in Warsaw. Also transboundary inflow contributes highly to concentrations of some pollutants. The results presented can be of use in analyzing emission reduction policies for the city, as a part of an integrated modeling system.

On-line algorithm for ground-level ozone prediction with a mobile station

It is important to be able to predict high concentrations of tropospheric ozone and to inform the population about any violations of air-quality standards, as defined by international regulations. Although first-principle models that cover large geographical regions and different atmospheric layers are improving constantly, they typically still only cover geographical regions with a relatively low resolution. Such model predictions can be problematic for the micro-locations of a complex terrain, i.e., a terrain with a large geographical diversity or urban terrain. For such micro-locations, statistical models can be utilised. This paper presents a modelling and prediction algorithm that can be used in, or in accordance with, a mobile air-quality measurement station. Such a mobile station would enable the set-up of a statistical model and a relatively rapid access to the model's predictions for a specific geographical micro-location without a large quantity of historical of measurements. Uncertainty information about the model's predictions is also usually required. In addition, such a model can adapt to long-term changes, such as climate changes. In the paper we propose Gaussian-process models for the described modelling and prediction. In particular, we selected evolving Gaussian-process models that update on-line with the incoming measurement data. The proposed algorithm for the mobile air-quality measurement and the forecasting station is evaluated on measurements from five locations in Slovenia with different topographical and geographical properties. The obtained evaluation results confirm the feasibility of the concept.

Optimal design of air quality monitoring network around an oil refinery plant: a holistic approach

In this study, a multi-objective method for allocating the number and configuration of an air quality monitoring network based on non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II has been presented. The multiple cell approach based on the solution of an Eulerian Model built on K-theory was used to predict the dispersion of emitted pollutants (SO2, CO, NO x ) from different emission sources. The multi-objective optimization method proposed in this study utilized two objectives: (1) maximum coverage area with respect to continuity of covered area and minimum overlap among coverage areas and (2) detection of violations over ambient standards. The concept of sphere of influence was used to determine the spatial area coverage of the monitoring station, and a weighing function was employed to measure the capability of a designed network to detect violations of air quality standards. The results show that three stations are suitable for the study region with coverage efficiency of 80 %. Analyzing the effect of cutoff correlation coefficient r c shows that, when the r c increases, although the coverage area decreases, the covered region will be well represented and overlap region will decrease.

Modelling threshold exceedances of air pollution concentrations via non-homogeneous Poisson process with multiple change-points

A Bayesian multiple change-point model is proposed to analyse violations of air quality standards by pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NO2 and NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Threshold exceedance occurrences are modelled by a step rate Poisson process fitted after short-range correlations in the exceedance data are removed via declusterisation. The change-points are identified, and the rate function is estimated, using a reversible jump MCMC algorithm adapted from Green (1995). This technique is applied to the daily concentration data collected in Leeds, UK (1993–2009). Results are validated by running the MCMC estimator on the posterior-replicated data. Findings are discussed in the context of the past environmental actions and events. The proposed methodology may be useful for the air quality management by providing quantitative means to measure the efficacy of pollution control programmes.

Air quality assessment in Southern Kuwait using diffusive passive samplers

Measurements of fortnightly average concentrations of NO, NO2, SO2, H2S, NH3, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (aromatics=benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m+p-xylene, ethyl benzene; non-aromatics=nonane and octane) were carried out in the period from 26/10/05 to 24/11/05 at 20 points in the southern part of Kuwait as part of a baseline environmental impact assessment study requested by Kuwait National Petroleum Company. Two waves of triplicate diffusive passive samplers were used. A high volume air sampler was used to measure PM10 too. During the sampling period, the wind was observed to be mainly from the west and northwest with an average of 4.28 m/s. The consistency of the results allowed the production of spatial distribution maps of the pollutants measured and consequently the comparison between levels of air pollution at different locations. A comparison between the measured concentrations and the applicable air quality standards promulgated by Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA) showed that those compounds had low concentrations compared to both industrial and residential KEPA standards. For other compounds which are not covered by KEPA standards, the results were compared with relevant limits of US Environment Protect Agency (USEPA) and US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The comparison showed that the measured compounds had low concentrations compared to the existing standards and, accordingly, no violation of air quality standards is reported.

Meteorologically influenced wildfire impacts on urban particulate matter and visibility in Tucson, Arizona, USA

Fire managers must consider air-quality impacts when planning prescribed burns or devising wildfire containment strategies. Particulate matter (PM) is the primary pollutant of concern: it is the major component of smoke and has known detrimental influences on human health and the environment. The present study examines wildfire–weather–PM interactions and the resulting impacts on urban air quality and visibility in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Few violations of air-quality standards were recorded during large wildfire events in the study area. When examined at a higher-resolution time scale, the impacts of the fires on urban air quality are apparent. The present study also found that extreme PM values were linked to humid and windy conditions, wildfires appear to have a greater impact on PM10 concentrations than PM2.5 concentrations, and PM10 is more closely tied to visibility degradation during fire events than PM2.5. Comparison of actual PM concentrations to those predicted by a regulatory model indicates that the model overestimates standard exceedances, with resulting implications for prescribed burn planning.

Quantitative estimation of dust fall and smoke particles in Quetta Valley

Tightening of air quality standards for populated urban areas has led to increasing attention to assessment of air quality management areas, where violation of air quality standards occurs, and development of control strategies to eliminate such violation of air quality standards. The Quetta urban area is very densely built and has heavy motorized traffic. The increase of emissions mainly from traffic and industry are responsible for the increase in atmospheric pollution levels during the last years. The dust examined in the current study was collected by both deposit gauge and Petri dish methods at various sites of Quetta Valley. Smoke particles were obtained by bladder method from the exhausts of various types of motor vehicles. The concentration of lead found in the smoke ranged from 1.5x10(-6) to 4.5x10(-6).

Application of extreme value theory for predicting violations of air quality standards for an urban road intersection

Extreme value theory (EVT) has been used for making predictions of the expected number of violations of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India, for hourly- and eight-hourly average carbon monoxide(CO) concentration for an Air Quality Control Region (AQCR) comprising of an urban road intersection. Almost 100% contribution to the CO pollution in the region is due to vehicular traffic. The parameters of the extreme value distribution (EVD) have been estimated by four methods viz. method of moments, maximum likelihood, least square fit and Gumbel's fitting method. Least square fit and Gumbel's method gave the best fit and predictions. A comparison of the predicted violations of NAAQS and the exceedence of the maximum pollution concentration with that of the observed data suggests that the theory performs satisfactorily for the extreme air pollution events.

Seeding Native Plants to Restore Desert Farmland and Mitigate Fugitive Dust and PM10

AbstractWindblown fugitive dust contributes to violations of air quality standards for particulate matter <10 pm aerodynamic diameter (PM10). In the western Mojave Desert of California, approximately 1070 ha of previously filled or over‐grazed land impacted downwind metropolitan areas by wind‐driven emissions of dust. A protocol of furrowing across the wind and direct seeding of three native perennial shrubs and a bunch grass helped reduce fugitive dust emissions in this area by more than 95%. Seeded species varied from 35 to 97% of living plant cover in individual years, reflecting rainfall patterns. In areas of deep sand, Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides Roemer & Shultes) outperformed the shrubs, while fourwing saltbush [Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.] exhibited the most widespread establishment. This revegetation was achieved in an anomalous year with above average and late rainfall that eliminated early competition from annual species and later fostered abundant shrub growth. This success was not reproducible in more normal years, when minimal disturbance protocols such as broadcasting of seed on the untilled soil surface were as effective and less costly. We conclude: (i) direct seeding can lead to plant establishment in favorable years, but is likely to fail in any given year, (ii) direct seeding should be implemented with little soil disturbance, (iii) the native fourwing saltbush is the most likely species to become established in this environment, and (iv) unpredictable rainfall and temperature require that direct seeding be backed up with alternative strategies to achieve reliable dust and PM10 mitigation in arid environments.

São Paulo Aerosol Characterization Study

The São Paulo Metropolitan area (SPMA) is characterized as having one of the worst air pollution problems in Brazil,with frequent violations of air quality standards for particulate matter. This paper presents the results of a eceptor model source apportionment study carried out to develop a quantitative database on which a control strategy could be developed. The study was conducted in four sites with distinct land uses. Fine, coarse (CP), and total suspended particles (TSP) samples were collected on Teflon and glass filters and analyzed by x-ray fluorescence XRF), ion chromatography, and thermal evolution. The sources were characterized by similar methodology. Chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor modeling indicated that carbonaceous material plays an important role in the aerosol composition; that the three major source categories contributing to the fine particles are vehicles, secondary carbon, and sulfates; and that the main contributors to CP and TSP are road dust and vehicles. All sampling sites presented the same general pattern in terms of source contribution, although this contribution varied from site to site.

Tropospheric chemistry: Global change and urban neglect

During the past decade, major advances have been made in the field of tropospheric chemistry, especially with regard to ozone and associated species (reactive nitrogen, peroxides, and OH). These advances have been driven largely by a series of field measurement campaigns in locations ranging from Brazil and Hawaii to Greenland and Nova Scotia. There is a major gap in the coverage of the tropospheric research program, however. Ozone chemistry is not measured in urban and downwind locations in the United States that are subject to violations of air quality standards.

Prediction of Air Pollution Episodes: Extreme Value Theory Applied in Athens

The asymptotic theory of extreme values is applied and the air pollution in Athens Basin, Greece is analysed. The time series of air pollutant concentrations refer to years 1984–92 and have been recorded by the Environmental Protection Agency of Greece in four different monitoring stations. Hourly values of concentration are processed for the pollutants SO2, NO2 and CO. The behaviour of the extreme values is studied and their relation to air quality standards is examined. The frequency of exceedances and violations of air quality standards is predicted and compared with the observed number of episodes. Theoretical results are in excellent agreement with real data. The analysis shows that the problem of photochemical air pollution at Patission station (centre of Athens) and Piraeus (port) is serious and will continue to be in the coming years if proper measures are not taken.

Controlling Urban Air Pollution: A Benefit-Cost Assessment

To help focus debate about the best use of society's resources, it is important to have estimates of the benefits and costs of further improvements in air quality. Such estimates are developed, with focus primarily on reductions in ground-level ozone resulting from the control of volatile organic compounds; to a lesser extent, particulate control also is considered. Proposed controls are evaluated for both the nation as a whole and for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, where violations of air quality standards are most frequent and severe. Subject to a number of uncertainties, the costs of proposed new controls are found to exceed the benefits, perhaps by a considerable margin.

An Alternative Technique for Analyzing Sulfur Dioxide Concentrations from A Single Source

An analytical technique for more realistically predicting source emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), to be used in conjunction with an alternative method of predicting violations of air quality standards, is presented. The mean and variability of sulfur content in the base fuel is represented by a log-normal distribution. The CRSTER model is utilized as the basic dispersion model in this technique. The CRSTER results are statistically analyzed using a cumulative distribution function for the source strength to predict the potential for violations of predetermined air quality standards. Using representative plant input characteristics, actual meteorological data and estimates of sulfur content in low-sulfur coal, probabilities of one excursion and multiple excursions, defined as a violation, of the 24-hour PSD increment for SO2 are calculated. While arbitrary autocorrelations are discussed, for the most part results are derived assuming an emission rate which is perfectly correlated in time. Regulatory acce...