Showing papers on "Air pollutant concentrations published in 1996"

The Cost of Crop Damage Caused by Ozone Air Pollution From Motor Vehicles

Abstract: The detrimental effects of ambient ozone on crops, even at relatively low concentrations, are well-established (Thompson et al, 1976; Heck and Brandt, 1977; Heck et al, 1982; Environmental Protection Agency, 1984; California Air Resources Board, 1987; Olszyk et al, 1988a, 1988b; Heagle et al, 1986; McCool et al, 1986, Ashmore, 1991) Ozone enters plant leaves through the stomatal openings in the leaf surface and then produces byproducts that reduce the efficiency of photosynthesis (CARB, 1987) Research suggests that ozone, either alone or in combination with nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, may be responsible for up to 90 percent of US crop losses resulting from air pollution (Heck et al, 1982) In an effort to address this problem, the Clean Air Act and its amendments include air pollution damages to vegetation as one of the criteria by which secondary national ambient air quality standards are evaluated (Adams et al, 1984) There is, of course, an economic cost associated with this reduced productivity In this paper we use a formal model of agricultural production and demand to estimate the cost of crop damage1 due to all anthropogenic ozone air pollution, and to ozone air pollution attributable to motor-vehicle use in the U S in 1990

Air pollution and the housing market: A neural network approach

Abstract: Using the neural network method, this research explores the impact of total suspended particulate (TSP) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), two major air pollutants, and of air pollution controls on the median real price of housing in Jacksonville, Florida. The results of this case study confirm the adverse effect of air pollution on the price of housing. The simulation of the model further suggests that pollution control measures improve property values. The findings imply that, in addition to other measures influencing the price of housing, property owners and buyers take air pollution and pollution controls into account.

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

Abstract: 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.

Applications of stable carbon and oxygen isotope analysis to some aspects of coastal environmental change

Abstract: Applications of stable carbon and oxygen isotope analysis to some aspects of coastal environmental change. . Edward J. Twiddy, University of Durham, December 1996. Two projects were undertaken to assess the possibility of using the stable isotope composition of plant cellulose in reconstructions of coastal environments. One was specific to the common reed, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trinius ex. Steudal, which is often found as a macrofossil in coastal sediment sequences. Analysis of material from 3 contemporary communities at Roudsea Marsh, Cumbria, U.K., which are subject to different frequencies of inundation by the tide, did not produce coherent or consistent intraor inter-community patterns in either 5 13 C or 5 180. Local tide gauge records and data on sediment characteristics, soilwater salinity and isotopic composition, and plant habit all pointed towards significant chemical and physical differences between the three communities analysed. However, the extent of intra-community and intra-plant variation in both the isotopic ratios was such that it was impossible to assign particular values of 513C or 5 18 0 to particular communities. The possible reasons for this are discussed. The second project focused on a species-poor saltmarsh in western Scotland at Kentra Bay, Argyll. Here the contemporary marsh is backed by an extensive raised bog (Kentra Moss), below which are late Holocene sub-fossil saltmarsh deposits. The project compared 5 13 C values from all the species present in 4 contemporary saltmarsh communities in Kentra Bay with 5 13 C values from bulk plant cellulose extracted from the sub-fossil saltmarsh peats below Kentra Moss. Microfossil and stomatal density data were also collected to assess the efficacy of this approach, but the sub-fossil data bore no resemblance to the contemporary data. Possible reasons for this are discussed. It is concluded that although neither project directly adds to our understanding of coastal palaeoenvironments, both highlight other possible coastal applications of this technique.

An update on air pollution.

Abstract: Air pollution is associated with adverse health effects. Much of the recent literature, which is the focus of this review, has concentrated on identifying individuals at risk and on the health effects of mixed pollutants. For indoor air, new analyses continue to support the notion that the risk of residential radon exposure is low and that environmental tobacco smoke may cause respiratory symptoms and dysfunction in adults, especially asthmatic adults, as well as in children. For outdoor air, the long-term effects of ozone exposure remain unclear, despite evidence of inflammation and small airway dysfunction after acute exposure. Ozone may increase the sensitivity of asthmatic patients to allergens. Increased morbidity in association with increasing particulate matter levels gives coherence to the argument that the relationship between particulate matter and mortality is causal. However, other investigators note the tight associations among outdoor pollutants and consider particulate matter a marker of air pollution levels.

Adsorbed natural gas storage with activated carbon

Abstract: Despite technical advances to reduce air pollution emissions, motor vehicles still account for 30 to 70% emissions of all urban air pollutants. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 require 100 cities in the United States to reduce the amount of their smog within 5 to 15 years. Hence, auto emissions, the major cause of smog, must be reduced 30 to 60% by 1998. Natural gas con be combusted with less pollutant emissions. Adsorbed natural gas (ANG) uses adsorbents and operates with a low storage pressure which results in lower capital costs and maintenance. This paper describes the production of an activated carbon adsorbent produced from an Illinois coal for ANG.

Estimates of Air Pollution in York: 1381 - 1891

Abstract: Hipkins, S., and S. F. Watts. “Estimates of Air Pollution in York: 1381–1891.” Environment and History 2, no. 3 (Oct., 1996): 337–45. doi:10.3197/096734096779522329 . Plume dispersion modelling has been used to estimate the smoke and sulphur dioxide concentrations for historic York in five individual years, 1381, 1672, 1841, 1851, and 1891. Historical data concerning population, housing, industrial distribution, fuel imports and exports have been used to generate a source matrix for sulphur dioxide and smoke for the model. The general levels of pollutants implied by the results seem to be consistent with changes in York over the time-span studied. Maximum annual average sulphur dioxide concentrations (in central York) range between 10 and 120 mgm3 (1672 and 1861 respectively), and for smoke between 5 and 40 mgm-3 (1381 and 1861 respectively). The main sources of uncertaintity are implicit in the quality of the data set, which in this case due to certain peculiarities of York record keeping is thought to be good. Sensitivity analyses indicates that because the results of this model are estimates of annual average concentrations, they are likely to be relatively insensitive to changes of up to 20% in up to 15% of the source matrix providing the distribution of the errors in the historical data is random. All rights reserved. © 1996 The White Horse Press

National air pollutant emission trends, 1900-1995. Technical report

Abstract: This report presents the latest estimates of national emission for criteria air pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. Estimates are presented for the years 1940 to 1995, with greater detail in more recent years. This report also includes sections on state emissions, air toxics, biogenics, and emission for Canada.

Aggregation of selected RADM simulations to estimate annual ambient air concentrations of fine particulate matter

Abstract: Ambient air concentrations of fine particulate matter is an issue of increasing concern for the US Environmental Protection Agency. The most reliable tool for estimating air quality change for large regions, both past and future, are regional air quality models such as the Regional Acid Deposition Model (RADM). Unfortunately, most Eulerian models, like RADM, utilized in this study, challenge the practical limits of current computer resources as well as the ability to collect the pertinent input data. As a result, application of such models to determine the long-term relationship between changing emissions patterns and ambient air concentrations is limited. To circumvent this problem, an aggregation method has been modified and is currently being applied to a limited number of RADM simulations in order to provide estimates of long-term (annual) ambient air concentrations of fine particulate matter.

Air pollution indices for Victoria

Abstract: A computer implementation of an integrated empirical rate model of urban air pollution reacdons has been used to monitor the concentrations of various air pollutants in air parcels traversing the Melbourne air shed. It shows that the levels of highly oxidised photochemical smog products may place more days into the unacceptable air pollution band than has been recent practice. It is also argued that the use of a uniform air quality index that individually indicates the levels of a wide range of pollutants on a standardised scale should be adopted.

Air Pollution: Sources, Control and Effects:

Abstract: This seminar was organised jointly by the Schools of Medicine and Engineering of the University of Catania, the European Community and ’Indoor Air International’ (now ISBE). The delegates were air pollution experts from the United Kingdom, Italy and the Czech Republic. A major influence in the organisation of the meeting was Professor Roger Perry, who sadly died a few weeks before the meeting, an expert in the field of air pollution. He had

Down in the dumps

Abstract: New EPA regulations may cause many landfill operators to install costly gas-collection systems and implement addition monitoring and control measures. Implementation of the regulations will force landfills to spend significant money and effort to satisfy design, operation and control requirements. The standards will address emissions of nonmethane organic compounds (NMOCs), including volatile organics, hazardous air pollutants, and odorous compounds, and methane from landfills. Topics covered in the article include applicability, major requirements, potential effects, and unresolved issues.

Air Pollutants in the Atmosphere

Abstract: Before becoming effective air pollutants emitted into the atmosphere can be subject to a variety of influences. These are, e.g., physical dilution, chemical transformations, enrichment or removal processes such as leaching. Life, deposition and impact of the air pollutants are considerably determined by these factors. These influences are again dependent on atmospheric processes which vary according to weather conditions.