scholarly journals An unexpected large continental source of reactive bromine and chlorine with significant impact on wintertime air quality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Peng ◽  
Weihao Wang ◽  
Men Xia ◽  
Hui Chen ◽  
Akkihebbal Ramaiah Ravishankara ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Peng ◽  
Weihao Wang ◽  
Men Xia ◽  
Hui Chen ◽  
A R Ravishankara ◽  
...  

Abstract Halogen atoms affect the budget of ozone and the fate of pollutants such as hydrocarbons and mercury. Yet their sources and significances in polluted continental regions are poorly understood. Here we report the observation of unprecedented levels (averaging to 60 parts per trillion) of bromine chloride (BrCl) at a mid-latitude site in North China during winter. Widespread coal burning in rural households and a photo-assisted process were the primary source of BrCl and other bromine gases. BrCl contributed about 55% of both bromine (Br) and chlorine (Cl) atoms. The halogen atoms increased the abundance of ‘conventional’ tropospheric oxidants (OH, HO2, and RO2) by 26–73%, and enhanced oxidation of hydrocarbon by nearly a factor of two and the net ozone production by 55%. Our study reveals the significant role of reactive halogen in winter atmospheric chemistry and the deterioration of air quality in continental regions where uncontrolled coal combustion is prevalent.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Peng ◽  
Weihao Wang ◽  
Men Xia ◽  
Hui Chen ◽  
Akkihebbal Ramaiah Ravishankara ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
J. B. Moran ◽  
J. L. Miller

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 provide the basis for a dramatic change in Federal air quality programs. The Act establishes new standards for motor vehicles and requires EPA to establish national ambient air quality standards, standards of performance for new stationary sources of pollution, and standards for stationary sources emitting hazardous substances. Further, it establishes procedures which allow states to set emission standards for existing sources in order to achieve national ambient air quality standards. The Act also permits the Administrator of EPA to register fuels and fuel additives and to regulate the use of motor vehicle fuels or fuel additives which pose a hazard to public health or welfare.National air quality standards for particulate matter have been established. Asbestos, mercury, and beryllium have been designated as hazardous air pollutants for which Federal emission standards have been proposed.


ASHA Leader ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-34
Keyword(s):  

Air Quality May Affect Infants' Brains


2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf Puchtinger ◽  
Jennifer Payne ◽  
David White ◽  
Shelly Duncan

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document