Topic
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.
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01 Jan 2021
TL;DR: In this paper, high-resolution air pollution models are used to distinguish between routes of higher and lower air pollution concentrations, allowing active road users to choose an alternative route to lower their air pollution exposure.
Abstract: Air pollution is difficult to detect with human senses. It is to a large extent out of sight and out of sense, while causing a burden on our economy, our health and our environment. A relevant illustration of this is the exposure to air pollution during commutes. The air pollution commuters are exposed to remains to a considerable extent a hidden geography, with, for example, a lack of available reliable information regarding the on-the-road concentrations of several air pollutants. This research aims to unravel, to the best possible extent, spatio-temporal air pollution patterns (active) commuters are exposed to. Cyclists and pedestrians can be unaware that they commute in polluted air. They often travel close to motorised traffic, resulting in high exposure to several air pollutants, which have elevated levels on the road due to vehicular emissions. Significantly higher concentrations of particulate matter (<2.5 µm), black carbon and nitrogen dioxide were found on roads with high-traffic intensities than on roads with less traffic, cycling highways or separated cycle lanes. The amplitude of the concentration differences between routes depends on both temporal factors, such as the season, the day of the week, or the time of day, and spatial factors, such as the traffic’s density, the footpath or cycle lane’s location, the architectural makeup (e.g. street canyons) and the meteorological conditions. Using high-resolution air pollution models, it is possible to distinguish between routes of higher and lower air pollution concentrations, allowing active road users to choose an alternative route to lower their air pollution exposure. However, on-the-road concentrations displayed by the Belgian ATMO-Street model are often considerably underestimated, especially for routes with high levels of motorised traffic. In general, for air pollution models to distinguish between routes, a minimum spatial-model resolution of 10 m2 including street configuration effects (e.g. street canyons) is desired. For temporal resolution, static seasonal-hourly raster model data, calculated from a previous year’s hourly data, are sufficient to make a scientifically sound distinction between alternative routes regarding exposure to air pollution. Those tools are a great help in uncovering the spatio-temporal pollution patterns (active) commuters are exposed to and also provide relevant insights to reduce the health and economic burden of air pollution, which is unseen to a large extent and of which most people are not aware. Additional research using microscale measurement setups to further unravel gradients in air pollutant concentrations and further reveal reliable estimates of on-the-road concentrations of those pollutants is recommended.
01 Jan 2001
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed to use a thin film of a photocatalyst to break down organic molecules, such as air pollutants and smog precursors, into environmentally friendly compounds.
Abstract: More than 75 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban communities where people are exposed to levels of smog or pollution that exceed the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) safety standards. Urban air quality presents a unique problem because of a number of complex variables, including traffic congestion, energy production, and energy consumption activities, all of which can contribute to and affect air pollution and air quality in this environment. In environmental engineering, photocatalysis is an area of research whose potential for environmental clean-up is rapidly developing popularity and success. Photocatalysis, a natural chemical process, is the acceleration of a photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst. Photocatalytic agents are activated when exposed to near UV (ultraviolet) light (320-400 nm) and water. In recent years, surfaces coated with photocatalytic materials have been extensively studied because pollutants on these surfaces will degrade when the surfaces are exposed to near UV light. Building materials, such as tiles, cement, glass, and aluminum sidings, can be coated with a thin film of a photocatalyst. These coated materials can then break down organic molecules, like air pollutants and smog precursors, into environmentally friendly compounds. These surfaces also exhibit a high affinity for water when exposed to UV light. Therefore, not only are the pollutants decomposed, but this superhydrophilic nature makes the surface self-cleaning, which helps to further increase the degradation rate by allowing rain and/or water to wash byproducts away. According to the Clean Air Act, each individual state is responsible for implementing prevention and regulatory programs to control air pollution. To operate an air quality program, states must adopt and/or develop a plan and obtain approval from the EPA. Federal approval provides a means for the EPA to maintain consistency among different state programs and ensures that they comply with the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
20 May 2014
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed air quality trends in the city ofDelhi over the decade and suggested additional measures for control of air pollution, which also showed increase in mortalities due to respiratory disorders during the last few years.
Abstract: The paper analyses air quality trends in the city ofDelhiover the decade. Pollutant levels have gone up again after a brief period of marginal decline. A review of activity levels across different contributing sectors is carried out. Vehicles have doubled in the last decade and have contributed to increase in pollutant levels. The effectiveness of interventions taken to reduce air pollutant concentrations is evaluated. There was a marginal decline of pollutants due to introduction of cleaner fuels, vehicles and other relevant measures. The effect of air pollutant concentrations is been assessed over the respiratory health in the city which also shows increase in mortalities due to respiratory disorders during the last few years. The paper finally suggests additional measures for control of air pollution in the city.
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TL;DR: A chronology of key events and quotes from books, articles and interviews related to the publication of ’Bureaucratic Guerilla’ and ’The Professional Responsibilities of a Professional Society’, published in 1972.
Abstract: 1 TINKER, JON: ’Britain’s Environment—Nanny knows best’, New Scientist, 9 March 1972, pp. 530-534. 2 PEDLER, KIT, interviewed in Radio Times, 10 December 1970. 3 SILCOCK, BRYAN: ’Why are these scientists Muzzled?’, Sunday Times, 12 September 1971. 4 IBSEN: An Enemy of the People, trans. by James Walter McFarlane (Vol. VI of the Oxford Ibsen (O.U.P., 1960)). 5 Journal of the Institution of Municipal Engineers, January 1972. 6 ’Bureaucratic Guerilla: an alternative role for the local authority planner’ Community ’Action, No. 1, Feb. 1972 (Community Action, 9 Pattison Road, London, NW2). 7 NADER, RALPH: ’The Professional Responsibilities of a Professional Society’, American Institute of Planners Newsletter, Vol. 5, No. 11, November 1970. 8 Peace News, 9 July, 1971. 9 The Surveyor, 26 November 1971. 10 NADER, RALPH, op. cit. 11 NADER, RALPH, op. cit . 12 Admission of the Press to Committee Meetings (Institute of Public Relations, 1972). 13 MANZONI, SIR HERBERT J.: Paper read at the R.I.B.A., 21 Jan. 1958 (R.I.B.A. Journal, March 1958).