Showing papers on "Air quality index published in 1987"

The Biochemistry of Ozone Attack on the Plasma Membrane of Plant Cells

Abstract: Substantial research effort is currently being undertaken towards assessing the impact of oxidant air pollutants (generally, ozone) on economically important agricultural crops.1 Many of these studies rely on vast numbers of field trials in order to determine the minimum level of ozone which affects agricultural productivity. While these data provide regulatory agencies with numbers to set air quality standards, these investigations generate little predictive information. Too many variables of the field and crops prevent complete understanding. Air pollution studies need predictive models but we are painfully short of them. This paper will address the initial site of ozone injury to cells in the hope that the process of model building can begin.

Economic Implications of Emissions Trading Rules for Local and Regional Pollutants

Abstract: In 1975 the United States Environmental Protection Agency initiated an historic process of regulatory reform, now known as the Emissions Trading Program For nonuniformly-mixed pollutants, such as sulfur dioxides, air quality is a function not only of the level of emissions, but their location and stack heights as well The focus of this paper is how to protect local air quality and limit long-range pollutant deposition caused by emission trades, while allowing as much cost-reducing trading activity as possible The authors examine the implications of two trading rules in two different airsheds using programming simulation models They find that the use of either trading rule represents a substantial improvement over relying exclusively on the current allocation of control responsibility

Trends and relationships of O3, NOx and HC in the south coast air basin of California.

Abstract: A basin-wide air quality trend analysis for the South Coast Air Basin of California is conducted for hydrocarbons (HC), NOx, O3 and CO using multi-station composite daily maximum-hour average ambient concentrations for the third quarter (July, August and September) from 1968 to 1985. Emissions and air quality trends are compared for the period 1968-1984. Ambient HC and NOX trends are somewhat different from estimated emission trends of HC and NOx, while a definite, downward trend of ambient CO is consistent with vehicular emission control measures. Basin-wide ambient HC, NOx and O3 appear to show downward trends for the period 1970-1985, but because of high fluctuations it is difficult to delineate trends for shorter periods. The meteorology (850 mb temperature)-adjusted O3 shows a more consistent downward trend than does unadjusted O3. Polynomial and multiplicative regression models for basin-wide empirical O3-HC-NOx relationships Indicate that the O3 variation is explained largely by the meteorological ...

Guidelines for monitoring indoor air quality

Abstract: This book provides guidelines for developing programs to measure indoor air quality and associated factors Summaries of past and current research along with descriptions of indoor contaminants are provided Factors that influence indoor air quality are covered with the aid of mass balance models A review of measurement systems, including a comparison of instruments and methods is presented Design considerations are discussed for applied research in indoor air quality, and investigations of building-associated problems A systematic approach for developing the design is also described A format for data reporting and recommendations for quality assurance and control are included

The transfer of radon from domestic water to indoor air

Abstract: Theoretical and experimental literature dealing with the release of radon from water to air is reviewed and synthesized. Primary emphasis is placed on releases from domestic water supplies to indoor air within the context of a general indoor radon problem. The widely used assumption of 1 rhoCi/L increment in indoor air per 10 000 rhoCi/L in the water supply is valid, but regional and individual variations are important.

Multiple unit automotive climate control system

Abstract: A multiple unit climate control system for an automotive vehicle having a passenger compartment including, a first air conditioning unit operable in both fresh and recirculating modes. The second air conditioning unit includes means for filtering air passing through the unit. A control system incorporated into the climate control system operates with the assistance of interior and exterior air quality sensors.

Air Quality Aspects of Hazardous Waste Landfills

Abstract: Whereas there are numerous regulations dealing with groundwater monitoring of hazardous waste landfills, there are virtually none dealing with air monitoring, but their promulgation by the...

National estimates of population exposure to ozone

Abstract: An important aspect of health risk assessment is the estimation of population exposure. For the past seven years, the Strategies and Air Standards Division (SASD) of the Office of Air Quality Planning and standards (OAQPS) has been engaged in the development of an exposure model suitable for evaluating alternative ambient air standards. This model is known as NEM, an acronym for NAAQS Exposure Model. This paper describes a version of NEM (NEM-O/sub 3/) appropriate for analyzing ozone exposures. In this version, exposures are estimated for time periods comprised of 10-minute intervals using activity patterns which vary according to season. One-hour average ozone data continues to be used, however, because the NAAQS is based on 1-hour monitoring at fixed sites. Separate exposure estimates are carried out for exercise regimes that are significant in estimating population risk.

Air Quality in Some Alberta Bakeries

Abstract: Air samples were taken with a Biotest RCS Air Sampler from the preparation and packaging areas of four bakeries in Edmonton and one in Calgary. The samples were analysed for microbial load in terms of total counts and yeast and mold counts. Total counts ranged from 180 to 5600 CFU/m3 in the preparation area and 110 to 1300 CFU/m3 in the packaging area. Yeast and mold counts ranged from 50 to 2000 and 60 to 210 CFU/m3 in preparation and packaging areas, respectively. No standards for air quality in food plants are presently available; therefore, it is not possible to state whether these counts represented good or poor air quality. The Biotest air sampling system was simple, versatile and convenient to use. However, with 47% of the counts having > 20% coefficient of variation, its usefulness for accurate enumeration of airborne microorganisms is questionable, although, it may be useful as a quality control instrument for spot-checking air quality in bakeries or similar operations where microbial quality of air is a concern.

Ozone air quality

Abstract: The Clean Air Act specifies December 31, 1987 as the deadline for achieving the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. As this date is imminent it is evident that attainment of the standard by the deadline will not be possible in many regions of the country. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has projected that more than 50 major metropolitan areas will be out of compliance with the standard by the deadline. In the meantime, the US EPA is in the process of reviewing the ozone air quality standard.

Indoor air quality and ventilation measurements in 38 Pacific Northwest commercial buildings: Final report: Volume 1, Measurement results and interpretation

Abstract: Specific study objectives include: The characterization of a variety of indoor pollutant concentrations and ventilation rates in 38 commercial and institutional buildings in the Pacific Northwest. Buildings were to be selected from existing stock and not necessarily exhibit symptoms of poor air quality, the investigation of the relationships between observed indoor air pollutant levels and ventilation rates. Findings from this study indicate that for most pollutants that were monitored only a few percent of the sites monitored have concentrations exceeding recommended guidelines. The exception, respirable suspended particles (RSP), often exceed ambient air quality standards for total suspended particles (TSP) in smoking areas. Since RSP are only a subset of the total suspended particles, this is a significant observation. Ventilation rates average higher than those typically observed in residences and appeared to have very poor correlation to the generally low pollutant concentrations. 64 refs., 46 figs., 30 tabs.

Effects of Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in Air Pollution on the Ecological and Geographical Performance of Lichens

Abstract: Considerable data exist linking the decline of the lichen flora throughout Europe and elsewhere over the past two centuries to an increase in air pollution. Quantitative and qualitative changes in air pollution have differed spatially and temporally during this period, but never more so than over the past two decades, when changes in national energy policies, economic factors and implementation of clean air legislation have resulted in atmospheric regimes having markedly different effects on the lichen flora. On the one hand, the opportunity has existed for relatively small areas experiencing improved air quality to be reinvaded by a limited number of lichen species which exploit selective habitats; for example, the colonization by saxicolous lichens of high pH substrata which buffer potentially harmful atmospherically-derived pollutants. On the other hand, dilution of emissions, adopted by some authorities as a solution to local air pollution, has resulted in blanket pollution over major geographical areas, with profound effects on the lichen flora. Even a small rise in sulphur dioxide levels can cause a decline in diversity, species responding according to their sensitivity to this pollutant. More recently, the differing effects on lichens of both wet and dry acidic deposition have been detected in the field, but as yet little experimental work has been carried out to substantiate these observations. However, a comprehensive lichen mapping programme in the British Isles has shown that some species have extended their ecological and geographical range by exploiting acidified substrata.

High Solids Coatings

Abstract: Interest in high solids (HS) coatings was kindled in the mid-1960s as a result of environmental legislation limiting the amount of organic material released into the atmosphere. In 1966, the now-famous ‘Rule 66’ was enacted in Los Angeles county to limit the emission of photochemically reactive (smog producing) organic compounds. With it came the concept of exempt solvents, the familiar examples being 1,1,1-trichloroethane and methylene chloride,1 which were considered photochemically non-reactive in the upper atmosphere. With passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970, Congress gave the Federal EPA a greater role in the air pollution control process.2 Recognizing the differences in sources, emissions and existing air quality among the various geographical regions in the US, the EPA has allowed the States to draft implementation plans which describe the regulations and control processes which apply to existing sources in their region. These were to have all been implemented during the period 1982–1987.

Development of an objective ozone forecast model for the South Coast Air Basin

Abstract: The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) provides daily forecasts of the expected maximum one hour average ozone concentrations at 42 locations in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB) The forecast, released for dissemination at approximately 11:00 am PDT, and valid for the following afternoon, relies upon a set of implicit relationships between observed ozone air quality and a combination of synoptic and mesoscale meteorological variables A variety of empirical models and forecast methodologies have been employed to predict the spatial and temporal distribution of ozone in the SCAB Model development was based upon the assumption of a time consistent daily emission profile However, with the continued implementation of emission control measures, the set of implicit relationships that have linked air quality and meteorology have been slowly altered To remedy the observed erosion in forecast capability, an objective ozone forecast model was developed that is designed for mid-to-late 1980's ozone air quality prediction The model is presented in this paper

A review of methanol vehicles and air quality impacts

Abstract: In the quest for measures to reduce ambient ozone and carbon monoxide levels to the degree required by revised State Implementation Plans (SIPs), non-attainment areas are investigating and committing to incentive programs for accelerated penetration of methanol- and flexible-fueled motor vehicles into the regional fleet. In this paper we examine if the premises for these commitments are sound; if, in fact, incontrovertible evidence is in hand to assure that the net air quality effect of replacing gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles with methanol- and flexible-fuel units will be positive; and whether such positive effects, even if they can be proved, will occur in a time frame that will be useful or even relevant to the developers of SIP revisions. Our conclusions, based upon emission rate and failure mode information now available, are that optimism on either front (net positive air quality effect or availability of production methanol-compatible units in the near term) is premature, and that the case for methanol today should probably be founded on the desirability of national energy security, rather than on any assumed local or regional environmental benefit needed for SIP compliance. 7 refs., 1 tab.