Merging Satellite Measurement with Ground-Based Air Quality Monitoring Data to Assess Health Effects of Fine Particulate Matter Pollution

Author(s):  
Zhiyong Hu ◽  
Johan Liebens ◽  
K. Ranga Rao
Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (23) ◽  
pp. 6819
Author(s):  
Brigida Alfano ◽  
Luigi Barretta ◽  
Antonio Del Giudice ◽  
Saverio De Vito ◽  
Girolamo Di Francia ◽  
...  

The concerns related to particulate matter’s health effects alongside the increasing demands from citizens for more participatory, timely, and diffused air quality monitoring actions have resulted in increasing scientific and industrial interest in low-cost particulate matter sensors (LCPMS). In the present paper, we discuss 50 LCPMS models, a number that is particularly meaningful when compared to the much smaller number of models described in other recent reviews on the same topic. After illustrating the basic definitions related to particulate matter (PM) and its measurements according to international regulations, the device’s operating principle is presented, focusing on a discussion of the several characterization methodologies proposed by various research groups, both in the lab and in the field, along with their possible limitations. We present an extensive review of the LCPMS currently available on the market, their electronic characteristics, and their applications in published literature and from specific tests. Most of the reviewed LCPMS can accurately monitor PM changes in the environment and exhibit good performances with accuracy that, in some conditions, can reach R2 values up to 0.99. However, such results strongly depend on whether the device is calibrated or not (using a reference method) in the operative environment; if not, R2 values lower than 0.5 are observed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (16) ◽  
pp. 9577-9591 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Beekmann ◽  
A. S. H. Prévôt ◽  
F. Drewnick ◽  
J. Sciare ◽  
S. N. Pandis ◽  
...  

Abstract. A detailed characterization of air quality in the megacity of Paris (France) during two 1-month intensive campaigns and from additional 1-year observations revealed that about 70 % of the urban background fine particulate matter (PM) is transported on average into the megacity from upwind regions. This dominant influence of regional sources was confirmed by in situ measurements during short intensive and longer-term campaigns, aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements from ENVISAT, and modeling results from PMCAMx and CHIMERE chemistry transport models. While advection of sulfate is well documented for other megacities, there was surprisingly high contribution from long-range transport for both nitrate and organic aerosol. The origin of organic PM was investigated by comprehensive analysis of aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS), radiocarbon and tracer measurements during two intensive campaigns. Primary fossil fuel combustion emissions constituted less than 20 % in winter and 40 % in summer of carbonaceous fine PM, unexpectedly small for a megacity. Cooking activities and, during winter, residential wood burning are the major primary organic PM sources. This analysis suggests that the major part of secondary organic aerosol is of modern origin, i.e., from biogenic precursors and from wood burning. Black carbon concentrations are on the lower end of values encountered in megacities worldwide, but still represent an issue for air quality. These comparatively low air pollution levels are due to a combination of low emissions per inhabitant, flat terrain, and a meteorology that is in general not conducive to local pollution build-up. This revised picture of a megacity only being partially responsible for its own average and peak PM levels has important implications for air pollution regulation policies.


Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy P. Sanchez ◽  
Arian Saffari ◽  
Stephanie Barczyk ◽  
Beverly K. Coleman ◽  
Ziad Naufal ◽  
...  

Recent regulatory and legislative developments in the state of California (e.g., Assembly Bill (AB) 1647 and AB 617) will increase the extent of air quality monitoring in communities near petroleum refineries and at facility fencelines. This work reports results over a three-year period for currently-installed community and fenceline air quality monitoring for the Chevron refinery in Richmond, California, USA. This paper presents the most comprehensive air quality dataset that has been published to date for a community near a petroleum refinery, including concentration of different air toxics (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylenes, etc.) and criteria air pollutants (e.g., ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM)). Instrumental techniques such as ultra-violet differential absorption spectroscopy (UV-DOAS), laser-based spectroscopy and real-time gas chromatography (GC) were used in the community and fenceline monitors. From 2015 to 2017, measured concentrations at community monitors near the Richmond refinery were generally below California thresholds for acute and chronic health (only two exceedances were observed for 8-h average benzene concentrations during the three-year monitoring period). Although more detailed speciation for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) would be needed to confirm certain source profile identities, preliminary application of source apportionment methods indicates the prevalence of typical urban emission profiles, such as from traffic, in the measured community data.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 8647-8686 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Beekmann ◽  
A. S. H. Prévôt ◽  
F. Drewnick ◽  
J. Sciare ◽  
S. N. Pandis ◽  
...  

Abstract. A detailed characterization of air quality in Paris (France), a megacity of more than 10 million inhabitants, during two one month intensive campaigns and from additional one year observations, revealed that about 70% of the fine particulate matter (PM) at urban background is transported on average into the megacity from upwind regions. This dominant influence of regional sources was confirmed by in-situ measurements during short intensive and longer term campaigns, aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements from ENVISAT, and modeling results from PMCAMx and CHIMERE. While advection of sulfate is well documented for other megacities, there was surprisingly high contribution from long-range transport for both nitrate and organic aerosol. The origin of organic PM was investigated by a comprehensive analysis of aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS), radiocarbon and tracer measurements during two intensive campaigns. Primary fossil fuel combustion emissions contributed less than 20% in winter and 40% in summer to carbonaceous fine PM, unexpectedly little for a megacity. Cooking activities and, during winter, residential wood burning are the major primary organic PM sources. This analysis suggests that the major part of secondary organic aerosol is of modern origin, i.e. from biogenic precursors and from wood burning. Black carbon concentrations are on the lower end of values encountered in megacities worldwide, but still represent an issue for air quality. These comparatively low air pollution levels are due to a combination of low emissions per inhabitant, flat terrain, and a meteorology that is in general not conducive to local pollution build-up. This revised picture of a megacity only controlling part of its own average and peak PM levels has important implications for air pollution regulation policies.


Author(s):  
Mei Zheng ◽  
Caiqing Yan ◽  
Tong Zhu

Fine particulate matter has been a major concern in China as it is closely linked to issues such as haze, health and climate impacts. Since China released its new national air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) in 2012, great efforts have been put into reducing its concentration and meeting the standard. Significant improvement has been seen in recent years, especially in Beijing, the capital city of China. This paper reviews how China understands its sources of fine particulate matter, the major contributor to haze, and the most recent findings by researchers. It covers the characteristics of PM 2.5 in China, the major methods to understand its sources such as emission inventory and measurement networks, the major research programmes in air quality research, and the major measures that lead to successful control of fine particulate matter pollution. A great example of linking scientific findings to policy is the control of coal combustion from the residential sector in northern China. This review not only provides an overview of the fine particulate matter pollution problem in China, but also its experience of air quality management, which may benefit other countries facing similar issues. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Air quality, past present and future’.


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