Air pollution, air quality, vehicle emissions, and environmental regulations

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-49
Author(s):  
Wen-Whai Li
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Vehicle Emissions ◽  
Environmental Regulations

scholarly journals Quantifying Air Pollutant Variations during COVID-19 Lockdown in a Capital City in Northwest China

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 788
Author(s):  
Rong Feng ◽  
Hongmei Xu ◽  
Zexuan Wang ◽  
Yunxuan Gu ◽  
Zhe Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Vehicle Emissions ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
Motor Vehicle Emissions

In the context of the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), strict lockdown policies were implemented to control nonessential human activities in Xi’an, northwest China, which greatly limited the spread of the pandemic and affected air quality. Compared with pre-lockdown, the air quality index and concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and CO during the lockdown reduced, but the reductions were not very significant. NO2 levels exhibited the largest decrease (52%) during lockdown, owing to the remarkable decreased motor vehicle emissions. The highest K+ and lowest Ca2+ concentrations in PM2.5 samples could be attributed to the increase in household biomass fuel consumption in suburbs and rural areas around Xi’an and the decrease in human physical activities in Xi’an (e.g., human travel, vehicle emissions, construction activities), respectively, during the lockdown period. Secondary chemical reactions in the atmosphere increased in the lockdown period, as evidenced by the increased O3 level (increased by 160%) and OC/EC ratios in PM2.5 (increased by 26%), compared with pre-lockdown levels. The results, based on a natural experiment in this study, can be used as a reference for studying the formation and source of air pollution in Xi’an and provide evidence for establishing future long-term air pollution control policies.

scholarly journals Environmental Regulations, Air and Water Pollution, and Infant Mortality in India

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (10) ◽  
pp. 3038-3072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Greenstone ◽  
Rema Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Environmental Regulations ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Institutional Settings

Using the most comprehensive developing country dataset ever compiled on air and water pollution and environmental regulations, the paper assesses India's environmental regulations with a difference-in-differences design. The air pollution regulations are associated with substantial improvements in air quality. The most successful air regulation resulted in a modest but statistically insignificant decline in infant mortality. In contrast, the water regulations had no measurable benefits. The available evidence leads us to cautiously conclude that higher demand for air quality prompted the effective enforcement of air pollution regulations, indicating that strong public support allows environmental regulations to succeed in weak institutional settings. (JEL I12, J13, O13, Q53, Q58)

Monitoring and Detection of Vehicle Emissions on Steady State Mode using Internet of Things

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Selvakumar ◽  
N. Sasikumar ◽  
P. Prudhiv ◽  
S. Jagadeesh Babu ◽  
V. Rakesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Vehicle Emissions ◽  
Wireless Sensor ◽  
Steady State Mode ◽  
Sensor Reading

This project is to develop a compact system to identify and display pollutants in a vehicle. The level of emissions can be monitored and inspected by this system. Database of each vehicle emissions test can be recorded and the report can be obtained to create an awareness to the drivers and owners about the pollution caused by the vehicle. An IoT (Internet of Things) based air pollution observing framework incorporated a MQ series sensor interfaced to a node MCU set with an ESP8266 WLAN connector to send the sensor reading to an Ubidots cloud. This outline is used for noticing pollutions in demeanour of specific territory and to get the air peculiarity or property examination. The obligated framework will focus on checking the air pollutants concentration with the help of a mixture of internet of things with wireless sensor systems. The investigation of emissions should be possible by figuring out the air quality index (AQI).

scholarly journals Chemical Characterization and Seasonality of Ambient Particles (PM2.5) in the City Centre of Addis Ababa

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 6998
Author(s):  
Worku Tefera ◽  
Abera Kumie ◽  
Kiros Berhane ◽  
Frank Gilliland ◽  
Alexandra Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Vehicle Emissions ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Rain Season ◽  
The City

Ambient air pollution is a growing public health concern in major African cities, including Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), where little information is available on fine particulate matter (PM2.5, with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm) pollution. This paper aims to characterize annual PM2.5, including bulk composition and seasonal patterns, in Addis Ababa. We collected 24-h PM2.5 samples in the central city every 6 days from November 2015 to November 2016. The mean (±SD) daily PM2.5 concentration was 53.8 (±25.0) µg/m3, with 90% of sampled days exceeding the World Health Organization’s guidelines. Principal components were organic matter (OM, 44.5%), elemental carbon (EC, 25.4%), soil dust (13.5%), and SNA (sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium ions, 8.2%). Higher PM2.5 concentrations were observed during the heavy rain season, while crustal dust concentrations ranged from 2.9 to 37.6%, with higher levels during dry months. Meteorological variables, vehicle emissions, biomass fuels, unpaved roads, and construction activity contribute to poor air quality. Compared to the Air Quality Index (AQI), 31% and 36% of observed days were unhealthy for everyone and unhealthy for sensitive groups, respectively. We recommend adopting effective prevention strategies and pursuing research on vehicle emissions, biomass burning, and dust control to curb air pollution in the city.

scholarly journals Vehicle Emissions Tax: An Opportunity to Control Air Pollution

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 10002
Author(s):  
Puji Astuti Ninik ◽  
Maryono Maryono
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Vehicle Emissions ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
Emissions Tax

This paper discusses about the condition of air quality in Indonesia and the opportunity to control air pollution using vehicle emissions tax. It is described descriptively based on literature, legal regulations, and prior researches. Transportation grow rapidly due to population growth. It is because transportation is very important for mobility and supports economic. Motor vehicles as a mean of transportation are known to cause air pollution due to their emissions. Pollutants in emissions are risk factors for several diseases, including acute respiratory infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Air quality in Indonesia, namely “indeks kualitas udara (IKU)” is still in good condition. However, there are provinces that have “moderate” IKU value and even “very less”. A variety of ways are being done to control air pollution from the transportation sector. Unfortunately, in Indonesia still has not touched the economic side. Environmental economic instruments need to be developed to address this. Basically, the regulations has provided the opportunity for the implementation, such as Law Number 32 Year 2009, Law Number 28 Year 2009, and Government Regulation Number 46 Year 2017. Therefore, the study of vehicle emission tax that internalizes economic losses due to air pollution for public health needs to be done. This kind of study is expected to be an input for policymakers on air pollution control.

Preliminary Research of Environmentally Friendly Taxi Based on Comprehensive Evaluation in Macau SAR

2012 ◽  
Vol 192 ◽  
pp. 445-449
Author(s):  
Lap Mou Tam ◽  
Pak Kin Wong ◽  
Hang Yuan Lao ◽  
Zheng Chao Xie
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Vehicle Emissions ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Living Condition ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Macau Sar ◽  
Preliminary Research ◽  
Near Future

To promote the green taxis in Macau SAR has being attractive because of the increasingly air pollution caused by vehicles’ emission. In order to improve the air quality and living condition in Macau, this paper shows us some environmentally friendly taxis to replace theconventional ones. In this paper, an overall picture of the current situation and tendency of world’s taxies is firstly presented. Secondly, the vehicle emissions of Macau taxi including environmentally friendly ones are detailedly demonstrated and compared. On the basis of feasibility, cost, safety and regulations related to Macau, the existing vehicle models are also comprehensively elaborated and evaluated. At the end of the paper, it will predict possible directions of the development of taxis in the near future of Macau. The analysis and evaluations of vehicle models are all considerate of what really Macau is.

scholarly journals Vehicle Emissions and Air Quality: The Early Years (1940s–1950s)

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1354
Author(s):  
S. Kent Hoekman ◽  
J. Steve Welstand
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Vehicle Emissions ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Hc Emissions ◽  
Field Experimentation ◽  
Considerable Work

During the 1940s, an unusual form of air pollution was experienced in the Los Angeles (LA) area of Southern California. Referred to as LA smog, this pollution differed from previously known air pollution with respect to its temporal patterns (daytime formation and nighttime dissipation), eye irritation, high oxidant levels, and plant damage. Early laboratory and field experimentation discovered the photochemical origins of LA smog. Though mechanistic understanding was incomplete, it was determined that hydrocarbon (HC) compounds in the atmosphere participate in smog formation, enabling build-up of higher ozone concentrations than would otherwise occur. It being a significant source, there was great interest in characterizing and controlling HC emissions from motor vehicles. Considerable work was done in the 1940s and 1950s to understand how emissions varied with vehicle operating conditions and deterioration of engine components. During this time, procedures were developed (and improved) to sample and quantify vehicle emissions. Besides exhaust, HC emissions from crankcase blowby, carburetor evaporation, and fuel tank losses were measured and characterized. Initial versions of both catalytic and non-catalytic exhaust after-treatment systems were developed. The knowledge gained from this pre-1960 work laid the foundation for many advancements that reduced vehicle emissions and improved air quality during subsequent decades.

scholarly journals Impacts of Transportation Emissions on the Risk of Mortality: Findings from the Literature and Policy Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Razieh Nadafianshahamabadi ◽  
Mohammad Tayarani ◽  
H. Gao
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Vehicle Emissions ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
The Road ◽  
Risk Of Mortality

Introduction: Externalities from transportation, and in particular exposure to vehicle emissions have been considered a possible cause of several negative health outcomes including mortality. However, the existing findings are too inconsistent to drive a well-founded exposure-response function to be fully exploited to curb the negative impacts of transportation systems on public health. In this study, we investigate the association between exposure to air pollution and mortality. We then evaluate how using different air quality methods may result in detecting different health outcomes. Methods: We conduct an analysis of reviewing a representative sample of main published studies that specifically focused on the association between vehicle air pollution and mortality. Results: Our study finds that vehicle air pollution may increase the risk of mortality through a slightly high association. Most importantly, the risk of overall mortality increases by 5% per 10 µg/m3 increase in NO2 concentration, 2% per unit of traffic intensity on the road, and 7% per unit of distance closer to the road. Conclusion: The findings imply the role of exposure to vehicle emissions in increasing the risk of mortality. The method used to detect the health outcomes can alter the health finding from positive to null or vice versa and even extensively affect the analysis outcomes. The results suggest the need for establishing indicators to benchmark the performance of air quality methods and emphasize the necessity to integrate public health measures into the urban and transportation planning process.

VALORIZATION OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF SOUTH SERBIA FROM THE AIR QUALITY ASPECT

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1329-1333
Author(s):  
Miodrag Šmelcerović
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Sources Of Pollution

The protection of the environment and people’s health from negative influences of the pollution of air as a medium of the environment requires constant observing of the air quality in accordance with international standards, the analysis of emission and imission of polluting matters in the air, and their connection with the sources of pollution. Having in mind the series of laws and delegated legislations which define the field of air pollution, it is necessary to closely observe these long-term processes, discovering cause-and-effect relationships between the activities of anthropogenic sources of emission of polluting matters and the level of air degradation. The relevant evaluation of the air quality of a certain area can be conducted if the level of concentration of polluting matters characteristic for the pollution sources of this area is observed in a longer period of time. The data obtained by the observation of the air pollution are the basis for creation of the recovery program of a certain area. Vranje is a town in South Serbia where there is a bigger number of anthropogenic pollution sources that can significantly diminish the air quality. The cause-and-effect relationship of the anthropogenic sources of pollution is conducted related to the analysis of systematized data which are in the relevant data base of the authorized institution The Institute of Public Health Vranje, for the time period between the year of 2012. and 2017. By the analysis of data of imission concentrations of typical polluting matters, the dominant polluting matters were determined on the territory of the town of Vranje, the ones that are the causers of the biggest air pollution and the risk for people’s health. Analysis of the concentration of soot, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides indicates their presence in the air of Vranje town area in concentrations that do not exceed the permitted limit values annually. The greatest pollution is caused by the soot content in the air, especially in the winter period when the highest number of days with the values above the limit was registered. By perceiving the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors, it is clear that the concentration of polluting matters can be decreased only by establishing control over anthropogenic sources of pollution, and thus it can be contributed to the improvement of the air quality of this urban environment.

Improving the Protection of Children Against Air Pollution Threats in Romania � The RokidAIR Project Approach and Future Perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 841-846
Author(s):  
Hai-Ying Liu ◽  
Daniel Dunea ◽  
Mihaela Oprea ◽  
Tom Savu ◽  
Stefania Iordache
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Quality Maps

This paper presents the approach used to develop the information chain required to reach the objectives of the EEA Grants� RokidAIR project in two Romanian cities i.e., Targoviste and Ploiesti. It describes the PM2.5 monitoring infrastructure and architecture to the web-based GIS platform, the early warning system and the decision support system, and finally, the linking of air pollution to health effects in children. In addition, it shows the analysis performance of the designed system to process the collected time series from various data sources using the benzene concentrations monitored in Ploiesti. Moreover, this paper suggests that biomarkers, mobile technologies, and Citizens� Observatories are potential perspectives to improve data coverage by the provision of near-real-time air quality maps, and provide personal exposure and health assessment results, enabling the citizens� engagement and behavioural change. This paper also addresses new fields in nature-based solutions to improve air quality, and studies on air pollution and its mental health effects in the urban areas of Romania.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document