Air pollutant concentrations

About: Air pollutant concentrations is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1652 publications have been published within this topic receiving 36138 citations.

First measurements of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in the ambient air in San Jose, Costa Rica

Abstract: A great interest has arisen in establishing the impact of organic compounds on human health and air quality, especially those compounds emitted by automotive traffic. Knowledge of urban air pollutant concentrations is essential for the determination of exposure levels. With this information public health problems can be avoided and emissions sources can be identified. MTBE is one of such compound because of its effects both to the environment and to humans. In Costa Rica, as in many other parts of the world, MTBE has been added to gasoline up to 10% v/v. This study investigates ambient air concentration of MTBE in San Jose, Costa Rica. Samples were collected during October– December 2005 using Carbotrap ® cartridges and analyzed by thermal desorption combined with capillary gas chromatography. MTBE levels ranged from < 0.1 to 7.0 ppbv, with the highest concentrations observed in the wet season’s months (May to November). The highways and industrial areas were identified as MTBE’s point sources, both related with vehicle emissions. High levels of MTBE were also found in the vicinity of a gas station. These values represent the first measurements made in a Central American location, but are similar to those reported in other urban areas. The MTBE ambient air levels in San Jose, Costa Rica were not known until this study in 2005.

Air Pollution: Some Key Issues:

Abstract: INTRODUGTION It took a real ’peasouper’ of a smog in London in 1952 to finally prod the government of the day to initiate some legislative measures which would see the beginning of the end of such regular winter miseries. This particular smog was responsible for over 4000 deaths from respiratory and chest diseases. Data from the Royal College of Physicians of London (1970) give the statistics for the week after the smog (Table 1).

A review of air quality management areas in Great Britain : implications for land-use planning

Abstract: With air quality now a clearly recognised material consideration in land use planning processes in GB, the designation of air quality management areas (AQMAs) in over a quarter of local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales is causing local planners to re-evaluate the potential impact of development on local air quality Traffic emission sources account for over 95% of the AQMAs designated in the UK, with predicted exceedences of the long-term nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) air quality objective causing their designation in the main Designation of an AQMA requires an air quality action plan to reduce exceedences of the air quality objectives, and this will require actions to address traffic flow, generation and overall traffic movements in our rural and urban areas alike Local authorities, through their air quality action plans and strategies, and more importantly their local transport plans and local development plans will need to identify methods for ensuring air pollutant concentrations do not deteriorate further in areas where the public is exposed Locations designated as AQMAs therefore provide the starting point for identifying specific areas where planning processes should be focused on improving local air quality This paper examines how the various spatial shapes ansd scales of AQMA designations may affect land-use planning processes, and how the scientific assessment process undertaken to determine AQMA locations may conflict with, or assist in informing the strategic and development control planning processes operating within local government in GB