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Showing papers on "Air quality index published in 2002"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The evidence for adverse effects on health of selected air pollutants is discussed, and it is unclear whether a threshold concentration exists for particulate matter and ozone below which no effect on health is likely.

4,010 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
25 Oct 2002-Science
TL;DR: The Mediterranean Intensive Oxidant Study, performed in the summer of 2001, uncovered air pollution layers from the surface to an altitude of 15 kilometers, causing air pollution standards to be exceeded throughout the region.
Abstract: The Mediterranean Intensive Oxidant Study, performed in the summer of 2001, uncovered air pollution layers from the surface to an altitude of 15 kilometers. In the boundary layer, air pollution standards are exceeded throughout the region, caused by West and East European pollution from the north. Aerosol particles also reduce solar radiation penetration to the surface, which can suppress precipitation. In the middle troposphere, Asian and to a lesser extent North American pollution is transported from the west. Additional Asian pollution from the east, transported from the monsoon in the upper troposphere, crosses the Mediterranean tropopause, which pollutes the lower stratosphere at middle latitudes.

844 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Reductions in respiratory and cardiovascular death rates in Dublin suggest that control of particulate air pollution could substantially diminish daily death.

681 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a three-dimensional global model of tropospheric chemistry driven by assimilated meteorological observations to investigate the origin of this background and to quantify its contribution to total surface ozone (O3) on both average and highly polluted summer days.
Abstract: [1] Observations indicate that ozone (O3) concentrations in surface air over the United States in summer contain a 20–45 ppbv background contribution, presumably reflecting transport from outside the North American boundary layer. We use a three-dimensional global model of tropospheric chemistry driven by assimilated meteorological observations to investigate the origin of this background and to quantify its contribution to total surface O3 on both average and highly polluted summer days. The model simulation is evaluated with a suite of surface and aircraft observations over the United States from the summer of 1995. The model reproduces the principal features in the observed distributions of O3 and its precursors, including frequency distributions of O3 concentrations and the development of regional high-O3 episodes in the eastern United States. Comparison of simulations with 1995 versus 1980 global fossil fuel emissions indicates that the model captures the previously observed decrease in the high end of the O3 probability distribution in surface air over the United States (reflecting reduction of domestic hydrocarbon emissions) and the increase in the low end (reflecting, at least in the model, rising Asian emissions). In the model, background O3 produced outside of the North American boundary layer contributes an average 25–35 ppbv to afternoon O3 concentrations in surface air in the western United States. and 15–30 ppbv in the eastern United States during the summer of 1995. This background generally decays to below 15 ppbv during the stagnation conditions conducive to exceedances of the 8-hour 0.08 ppmv (80 ppbv) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for O3. A high background contribution of 25–40 ppbv is found during 9% of these exceedances, reflecting convective mixing of free tropospheric O3 from aloft, followed by rapid production within the U.S. boundary layer. Anthropogenic emissions in Asia and Europe are found to increase afternoon O3 concentrations in surface air over the United States by typically 4–7 ppbv, under both average and highly polluted conditions. This enhancement is particularly large (up to 14 ppbv) for O3 concentrations in the 50–70 ppbv range, and would represent a major concern if the NAAQS were to be tightened.

381 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors reviewed the current status of air quality in Chinese cities, especially key cities, and described the characteristics of some major urban air pollution problems in China.
Abstract: ▪ Abstract China is rapidly developing as evidenced by enhanced urbanization and industrialization and greatly increased energy consumption. However, these have brought Chinese cities a variety of urban air pollution problems in recent decades. During the 1970s, black smoke from stacks became the characteristic of Chinese industrial cities; in the 1980s, many southern cities began to suffer serious acid rain pollution; and recently, the air quality in large cities has deteriorated due to nitrous oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and photochemical smog, which are typical of vehicle pollution. Some cities now have a mixture of these. Urban air pollution influences both the health of citizens and the development of cities. To control air pollution and protect the atmospheric environment, the Chinese government has implemented a variety of programs. This paper first reviews the current status of air quality in Chinese cities, especially key cities, then describes the characteristics of some major urban air ...

346 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a breathing thermal manikin was used to simulate a human being and an index, personal exposure effectiveness, was assessed to assess the performance of ATDs in regard to quality of the air inhaled by the manikIN.

296 citations


Book
01 Jan 2002
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present Cleaning the Air: The Experience of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA), a survey of air pollution in Mexico City and Mexico City metropolitan area.
Abstract: Prologue. Preface. Chapter One: Air Quality Impacts: A Local and Global Concern. 1. Introduction. 2. Urban Air Pollution: Historical Record. 3. Sources and Transport of Air Pollution. 4. Impacts of Air Pollution. 5. Conclusion. Chapter Two: Cleaning the Air: A Comparative Overview. 1. Introduction. 2. Cleaning the Air: The Los Angeles Experience. 3. Cleaning the Air: The Experience of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. 4. Discussion and Conclusions. Chapter Three: Forces Driving Pollutant Emissions in the MCMA. 1. Introduction. 2. Population Growth. 3. Urban Growth. 4. Economic Growth. 5. Production and Consumption of Energy. 6. Erosion and Biogenic Emissions Sources. 7. Conclusion. Chapter Four: Health Benefits of Air Pollution Control. 1. Introduction. 2. Evidence of Air Pollution Exposures and Health Effects. 3. 'Back of the Envelope Risk Assessment. 4. Approaches to Valuing Health Effects. 5. Discussion and Conclusions. Chapter Five: Air Pollution Science in the MCMA: Understanding Source-Receptor Relationships Through Emissions Inventories, Measurements and Modeling. 1. Introduction. 2. Basic Scientific Understanding and Important Questions for Policy. 3. Measurements of Meteorology and Air Quality. 4. Emissions Inventories. 5. Air Pollution Modeling Applications. 6. Scientific Understanding, Analysis of Uncertainties, Research Methods, andRecommendations. 7. Summary of Key Recommendations. Chapter Six: The MCMA Transportation System: Mobility and air Pollution. 1. Introduction. 2. Urban Transformation. 3. Transportation Demand. 4. Transportation Supply. 5. Transport-Related Emissions. 6. Regional Architecture Framework. 7. Transportation Strategic Planning by Various Government Agencies. 8. Key Problems and Future Policy Areas. Chapter Seven: Conclusions: Key Findings and Recommendations. 1. Introduction. 2. Integrated Framework for Air Quality Management Plans. 3. Health Benefits of Pollution Control. 4. Air Pollution Science: Understanding Source-Receptor Relationships. 5. Options to Reduce Mobile Source Emissions and Improve Mobility. 6. Options to Reduce Non-Transport Emissions Sources. 7. Institutional Framework for Air Quality Management. 8. Education and Capacity Building. 9. Funding Mechanisms for Air Quality Programs. 10. Summary. Photographs. Appendix A: Mexico Metropolitan Index for Air Quality (Imeca) and the Environmental Contingency Program. Appendix B: 'No Driving Day' (Hoy No circula). Appendix C: List of Acronyms. Appendix D: Glossary. References. About the Authors. Index.

278 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 2002-Kyklos
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used cross-national data from happiness surveys, jointly with data on per capita income and pollution, to examine how self-reported well-being varies with prosperity and environmental conditions.
Abstract: This paper uses cross-national data from happiness surveys, jointly with data on per capita income and pollution, to examine how self-reported well-being varies with prosperity and environmental conditions. This approach allows us to show that citizens care about prosperity and the environment, and to calculate the trade-off people are willing to make between them. The paper finds that the effect of urban air pollution on subjective well-being shows up as a considerable monetary valuation of improved air quality. For instance, a representative German citizen would need to be given more than 1900$ per year in order to accept the typical urban air pollution level prevailing in Japan. The subjective marginal valuation of air pollution is compared with marginal abatement costs from the literature. Copyright 2002 by WWZ and Helbing & Lichtenhahn Verlag AG

253 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the indoor air quality of domestic kitchens and domestic living rooms in Hong Kong and found that the 8-h average concentrations of CO2 and PM10 in domestic kitchens were 14% and 67% higher than those measured in the living rooms.

245 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that reducing anthropogenic CH4 emissions by 50% nearly halves the incidence of U.S. high-O3 events and lowers global radiative forcing by 0.37 W m−2 (0.30 Wm−2 from CH4, 0.07 Wm −2 from O3) in a 3-D model of tropospheric chemistry.
Abstract: [1] Methane (CH4) emission controls are found to be a powerful lever for reducing both global warming and air pollution via decreases in background tropospheric ozone (O3). Reducing anthropogenic CH4 emissions by 50% nearly halves the incidence of U.S. high-O3 events and lowers global radiative forcing by 0.37 W m−2 (0.30 W m−2 from CH4, 0.07 W m−2 from O3) in a 3-D model of tropospheric chemistry. A 2030 simulation based upon IPCC A1 emissions projections shows a longer and more intense U.S. O3 pollution season despite domestic emission reductions, indicating that intercontinental transport and a rising O3 background should be considered when setting air quality goals.

225 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of this study indicate that the artificial neural network (ANN) is a promising method for air pollution modelling.
Abstract: This work deals specifically with the use of a neural network for ozone modelling in the lower atmosphere. The development of a neural network model is presented to predict the tropospheric (surface or ground) ozone concentrations as a function of meteorological conditions and various air quality parameters. The development of the model was based on the realization that the prediction of ozone from a theoretical basis (i.e. detailed atmospheric diffusion model) is difficult. In contrast, neural networks are useful for modelling because of their ability to be trained using historical data and because of their capability for modelling highly non-linear relationships. The network was trained using summer meteorological and air quality data when the ozone concentrations are the highest. The data were collected from an urban atmosphere. The site was selected to represent a typical residential area with high traffic influences. Three neural network models were developed. The main emphasis of the first model has been placed on studying the factors that control the ozone concentrations during a 24-hour period (daylight and night hours were included). The second model was developed to study the factors that regulate the ozone concentrations during daylight hours at which higher concentrations of ozone were recorded. The third model was developed to predict daily maximum ozone levels. The predictions of the models were found to be consistent with observations. A partitioning method of the connection weights of the network was used to study the relative percent contribution of each of the input variables. The contribution of meteorology on the ozone concentration variation was found to fall within the range 33.15–40.64%. It was also found that nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, relative humidity, non-methane hydrocarbon and nitrogen dioxide have the most effect on the predicted ozone concentrations. In addition, temperature played an important role while solar radiation had a lower effect than expected. The results of this study indicate that the artificial neural network (ANN) is a promising method for air pollution modelling.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a time series of levels of atmospheric particulate matter (TSP and PM10) were studied at 19 air quality monitoring stations in the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) during the period 1998-2000.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: At participating urban locations for the year of data considered, levels of carbonyls were higher than the level of the other organic compound groups, suggesting that emissions from motor vehicles and photochemical reactions strongly influence ambient air concentrations ofcarbonyls.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Air quality and health effects of the 1997 haze disaster in Indonesia demonstrated the need for special care of the elderly and for care of those with a history of asthma, and the use of a proper mask may afford protection.
Abstract: In this study, the authors assessed air quality and health effects of the 1997 haze disaster in Indonesia. The authors measured carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter with diameters less than or equal to 10 μum, inorganic ions, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The authors also interviewed 543 people and conducted lung-function tests and determined spirometric values for these individuals. Concentrations of carbon monoxide and particulate matter with diameters less than or equal to 10 μrn reached “very unhealthy” and “hazardous” levels, as defined by the Pollution Standards Index. Concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were 6–14 times higher than levels in the unaffected area. More than 90% of the respondents had respiratory symptoms, and elderly individuals suffered a serious deterioration of overall health. In multivariate analysis, the authors determined that gender, history of asthma, and frequency of wearing a mask wer...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors apply the CALPUFF atmospheric dispersion model with meteorological data derived from NOAA's Rapid Update Cycle model to a set of nine power plants in Illinois to evaluate primary and secondary particulate matter impacts across a grid in the Midwest.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The atmospheric concentration of gaseous ammonia has been measured during selected field campaigns from the spring of 2001 to 2002 in the urban area of Rome, at many traffic sites and at an urban background site as discussed by the authors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The significant correlation found between Cu, Pb and Zn with the content of hydroperoxy conjugated dienes suggests an important oxidative effect probably caused by these ions in the transplanted lichen Usnea amblyoclada transplanted in Córdoba, Argentina.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a combination of monitoring and modelling techniques is proposed as a reliable and cost-effective method for assessing air quality in urban micro-environments, in order to support investigation on the health effects of traffic-related air pollution.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a statistical analysis of air temperature variations between different land use categories for both extreme situations and during average conditions is presented, showing that human comfort is measured as physiological equivalent temperature (PET), an index that expresses thermal stress on people.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the development of the market in Sweden and Germany and also the different techniques of supplementary heating due to national differences in electricity prices, and describe different means of heat recovery from the ventilation system, and the benefit for the environment, by using heat pumps.
Abstract: The technique of heat recovery from ventilation air in dwellings started in Sweden in late 1979. This was due to an energy crisis and new building codes. The competing heat recovery system, air to air heat exchangers, had a firm grip on the market. Today the situation is on the contrary. Almost all new single family houses are equipped with exhaust air heat pumps. This paper describes the development of the market in Sweden and Germany and also the different techniques of supplementary heating due to national differences in electricity prices. Germany has a situation very similar to Sweden concerning new building codes concerning the allowable energy use for space heating. Starting in 1976 and continued from 1982 to 1995, the building code has prescribed tighter and more insulated houses. The new building code for the year 2000 contains requirements for well insulated and tight buildings so the energy demand for heating from ventilation air tends to reach about 60% of the total annual energy demand for the building. Under these circumstances new buildings must have ventilation systems with heat recovery. Different means of heat recovery from the ventilation system, and the benefit for the environment, by using heat pumps are described. The German market for heat recovery systems is approx. 5–10.000 units/year. Most important for the efficiency of a ventilation system is to maintain the quality criterias concerning: equipment planning, installation, taking into operation operation.VEW ENERGIE AG has accomplished a field survey of 60 units from 1994 to 1996. As the result was not statistically sufficient, the field survey is followed by an investigation into air quality and reliability.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the pattern of exposure to two key air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) across certain population groups in the city of Birmingham.
Abstract: Many studies in the USA have noted inequities with regard to the socioeconomic status or racial character of communities and their relative exposure to environmental disamenities. In this paper the authors focus particularly on the environmental equity of air pollution in the English city of Birmingham. Using statistical methodologies they examine the pattern of exposure to two key air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) across certain population groups in the city. Estimated emission levels of CO and NO2 were mapped by using modelled associations between vehicle densities and measured emissions at existing monitoring stations. These data were input to a geographical information system (GIS) for subsequent comparisons with population maps. Three types of variables were considered to distinguish possibly disadvantaged populations: age profile, ethnic make-up, and poverty indicators. From the 1991 Census, relevant statistics were derived for each enumeration district in the city. No ...

Journal ArticleDOI
Russ Lopez1
TL;DR: Examination of differences in exposure to noncriteria air pollutants in 44 U.S. Census Bureau-defined metropolitan areas with populations greater than one million found non-Hispanic Blacks are more likely than non- Hispanic Whites to be living in tracts with higher total modeled air toxics concentrations, and increased segregation is associated with increased disparity in potential exposure to air pollution.
Abstract: I examined non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White differences in exposure to noncriteria air pollutants in 44 U.S. Census Bureau-defined metropolitan areas with populations greater than one million, using data on air toxics concentrations prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of its Cumulative Exposure Project combined with U.S. census data. I measured differences in exposure to air toxics through the calculation of a net difference score, which is a statistical measure used in income inequality analysis to measure inequality over the whole range of exposures. The scores ranged from 11.52 to 83.60. In every metropolitan area, non-Hispanic Blacks are more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to be living in tracts with higher total modeled air toxics concentrations. To assess potential reasons for such a wide variation in exposure differences, I performed a multiple regression analysis with the net difference score as the dependent variable. Independent variables initially included were as follows: the dissimilarity index (to measure segregation), Black poverty/White poverty (to control for Black/White economic differences), population density and percentage of persons traveling to work who drive to work (alone and in car pools), and percentage of workforce employed in manufacturing (factors affecting air quality). After an initial analysis I eliminated from the model the measures of density and the persons driving to work because they were statistically insignificant, they did not add to the predictive power of the model, and their deletion did not affect the other variables. The final model had an R(2) of 0.56. Increased segregation is associated with increased disparity in potential exposure to air pollution.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The decreasing prevalence of nonallergic respiratory symptoms, along with improvements in ambient particle mass and sulfur dioxide (but not in nucleation-mode particles), indicates the reversibility of adverse health effects in children.
Abstract: Background. Previous research on air pollution effects has found associations with chronic adverse health effects even at the relatively low levels of ambient particulates currently measured in most urban areas.Methods. We assessed the impact of declines of total suspended particulates and sulfur di

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An analysis of the spatial patterns of deposition of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants for the period 1990-2000 shows a significant decline in sulfur deposition and no change in nitrogen deposition.
Abstract: The Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNet) was established by the U.S. EPA in response to the requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. To satisfy these requirements CASTNet was designed to assess and report on geographic patterns and long-term, temporal trends in ambient air pollution and acid deposition in order to gauge the effectiveness of current and future mandated emission reductions. This paper presents an analysis of the spatial patterns of deposition of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants for the period 1990−2000. Estimates of deposition are provided for two 4-yr periods: 1990−1993 and 1997−2000. These two periods were selected to contrast deposition before and after the large decrease in SO2 emissions that occurred in 1995. Estimates of dry deposition were obtained from measurements at CASTNet sites combined with deposition velocities that were modeled using the multilayer model, a 20-layer model that simulates the various atmospheric processes that contribute to dry deposition. Est...

Journal Article
TL;DR: This article, a summary of Fisk, estimates the nationwide improvements in health and productivity potentially attainable by providing better indoor environmental quality in U.S. buildings.
Abstract: This article, a summary of Fisk, estimates the nationwide improvements in health and productivity potentially attainable by providing better indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in U.S. buildings. Estimates include the potential reductions in three categories of health effects, the associated economic benefits, and the potential direct improvements in productivity not mediated through health.

01 Jan 2002
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that tree transpiration and tree canopies affect air temperature, radiation absorption and heat storage, wind speed, relative humidity, turbulence, surface albedo, surface roughness and consequently the evolution of the mixing-layer height.
Abstract: Temperature Reduction: Tree transpiration and tree canopies affect air temperature, radiation absorption and heat storage, wind speed, relative humidity, turbulence, surface albedo, surface roughness and consequently the evolution of the mixing-layer height. These changes in local meteorology can alter pollution concentrations in urban areas b . Although trees usually contribute to cooler summer air temperatures, their presence can increase air temperatures in some instances c . In areas with scattered tree canopies, radiation can reach and heat ground surfaces; at the same time, the canopy may reduce atmospheric mixing such that cooler air is prevented from reaching the area. In this case, tree shade and transpiration may not compensate for the increased air temperatures due to reduced mixing d . Maximum mid-day air temperature reductions due to trees are in the range of 0.04 o C to 0.2 o C per percent canopy cover increase e . Below individual and small groups of trees over grass, mid-day air temperatures at 1.5 m above ground are 0.7 o C to 1.3 o C cooler than in an open area f . Reduced air temperature due to trees can improve air quality because the emission of many pollutants and/or ozone-forming chemicals are temperature dependent. Decreased air temperature can also reduce ozone formation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A mechanistic air quality model is demonstrated that can predict source contributions to the size distribution of secondary airborne particulate matter and suggests that the public health risk associated with air pollution released from transportation sources is significant relative to other public health threats such as traffic accidents.
Abstract: Secondary airborne particulate matter formed from gas-phase pollutants contributes significantly to the most severe particulate air quality events that occur in the United States each year. In this study, a mechanistic air quality model is demonstrated that can predict source contributions to the size distribution of secondary airborne particulate matter. Calculations performed for a typical air quality episode in Southern California show that NOx released from diesel engines and catalyst-equipped gasoline engines account for the majority of the secondary particulate nitrate aerosol measured at inland locations. NH3 released from catalyst-equipped gasoline engines, farm animals, and residential sources account for the majority of the secondary particulate ammonium ion at inland locations in the region. When both tailpipe and road dust emissions are considered, transportation sources dominate the size distribution of total (primary plus secondary) airborne particulate matter in the South Coast Air Basin during the episode studied. These findings suggest that the public health risk associated with air pollution released from transportation sources is significant relative to other public health threats such as traffic accidents.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper finds that the meta-hedonic price analysis produces an estimate of the health cost of air pollution that lies at the low end of the range of damage-function estimates, and applies the meta hedonic-price model to estimate the visibility cost per kilogram of motor vehicle emissions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Introducing or removing the same pollution source in an office in two independent investigations, one in Denmark and one in Sweden, using similar experimental methodology, resulted in similar and repeatable effects on subjective assessments of perceived air quality, intensity of sick building syndrome symptoms and performance of office work.
Abstract: The present paper shows that introducing or removing the same pollution source in an office in two independent investigations, one in Denmark and one in Sweden, using similar experimental methodology, resulted in similar and repeatable effects on subjective assessments of perceived air quality, intensity of sick building syndrome symptoms and performance of office work. Removing the pollution source improved the perceived air quality, decreased the perceived dryness of air and the severity of headaches, and increased typing performance. These effects were observed separately in each experiment and were all significant (P < or = 0.05) after combining the data from both studies, indicating the advantages of pollution source strength control for health, comfort, and productivity.