scholarly journals Synergies between environmental pressures in the urban climate: combined air quality and noise exposure assessment in Thessaloniki, Greece

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Pollution Levels

This study offers a combined analysis of personal exposure to noise and air pollution within the metropolitan centre of Thessaloniki, Greece. The area is selected on the grounds that it is considered as one of the most polluted cities in Europe, especially with respect to air pollution. An extensive survey has been designed to provide detailed information on CO and VOC concentrations and noise pollution levels in the main modes of transport and along heavy traffic routes inside the core of the urban area under consideration. Air pollution and noise measurements were performed simultaneously along several commuting routes, during morning and evening rush hours. Personal portable devices were used. The results highlight the magnitude of air and noise urban scale personal exposure, since they depict a considerable environmental burden for the citizens of Thessaloniki, especially for VOCs and noise pollution levels. Furthermore, they provide, for the first time, a combined exposure assessment to these environmental pollutants for Thessaloniki and in this sense they are of importance for local public authorities and decision makers. The material herein points out the importance of micro-environmental monitoring and the necessity of considering environmental pollution in urban areas in a more holistic way.

scholarly journals Spatial Mapping of a Highly Non-Uniform Distribution of Particle-Bound PAH in a Densely Populated Urban Area

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
Kyung Hwan Kim ◽  
Kyung-Hwan Kwak ◽  
Jae Young Lee ◽  
Sung Ho Woo ◽  
Jong Bum Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
Traffic Emission ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Monitoring Procedure

In this work, a 2-D gridded air pollution map with a high resolution of 50 × 50 m2 was proposed to help the exposure assessment studies focusing on the association between air pollutants and their health effects. To establish a reliable air pollution map in a 2 × 2 km2 urban area, a mobile monitoring procedure and a data process were developed. Among the various vehicle-related air pollutants, the particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (pPAH) was chosen as a sensitive indicator. The average pPAH concentration on major roads (293.1 ng/m3) was found to be 35 times higher than that at a background location (8.4 ng/m3). Based on the cell-based pPAH concentrations, the 50 × 50 m2 cells in the air pollution map were categorized into five pollution levels. The higher air pollution levels were generally shown by the cells close to the major traffic emission points. The proposed map can be used to make various policies regarding land use and traffic flow control in urban areas. Estimation of the personal exposure level to air pollutants is possible at a reliable location using the highly resolved 2-D gridded air pollution map in exposure assessment studies.

Human exposure to traffic pollution. Experience from Danish studies

2001 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Hertel ◽  
Steen Solvang Jensen ◽  
Helle Vibeke Andersen ◽  
Finn Palmgren ◽  
Peter Wåhlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Human Exposure ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Fine Fraction ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Urban Traffic ◽  
Particulate Pollution ◽  
Pollution Levels

Air pollution may have severe long-term as well as short-term health effects. The determination of possible links between pollution levels and impact on human health is, however, not a straightforward task. A key problem is the assessment of human exposure to ambient pollution levels. In later years, the possible role of particulate pollution as a health hazard has drawn major attention and is, therefore, the subject of research projects in many countries including Denmark. The present paper gives a review of recent and ongoing/planned Danish air pollution exposure studies. Furthermore, key results from Danish studies of ultrafine particles from urban traffic are outlined. The exposure studies show that air pollution models may be strong tools in impact assessment studies, especially when used in combination with personal exposure monitoring and application of biomarkers. Personal exposure measurements in Copenhagen indicate that indoor pollution levels may be very important for the personal exposure to fine fraction particles (PM2.5). Measurements with a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) in Danish urban areas show that number concentrations of ultrafine particles (<100 nm) in busy streets are strongly correlated with classic traffic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The number concentrations in urban Danish streets have decreased considerably between two campaigns in 1999 and 2000, apparently as a result of reductions in sulfur contents in Danish diesel fuels that took place in July 1999.

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.

scholarly journals The importance of changing urban scenery in the assessment of citizens’ soundscape perception. On the need for different time-related points of view

Noise Mapping ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-161
Author(s):  
Jerónimo Vida Manzano ◽  
José Antonio Almagro Pastor ◽  
Rafael García Quesada
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Noise Control ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Complementary Method ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
The Right ◽  
The City

Abstract The city of Granada is experimenting a big urban transformation, attending national and international commitments on clean air, energy efficiency and savings linked to greenhouse gases reduction strategies and sustainable development action plans. This situation constitutes a good scenario for new noise control approaches that take into account the sound variable and citizens empowering in urban design, such as the soundscape assessment of urban territory. In this way, soundscape tools have been used in Granada as a complementary method for environmental noise characterisation where traditional noise control techniques are difficult to be carried out or give limited results. After 2016 strategic noise map and in the preparation of the new noise action plan, the city came across a great acoustic challenge in a new area located outskirts characterised by growing urbanisation, still under development, the greatest legal protection because of sensitive teaching and hospital buildings and the greatest noise exposure from nearby ring-way supporting heavy traffic flow. As quiet urban areas are not characterised by the absence of noise but for the presence of the right noise, this research intended to provide the local administration with results and proposals to transform this conflict area in a pleasant or quiet urban place. Main results came from important and significative differences in morning and evening characterisation, as great differences appear in soundscape assessment over the day and along the soundwalk path, indicating the importance of time and local issues to adequately characterised citizens perception to be considered by administration in the development of strategies and effective noise control actions.

Evaluation and prediction of noise pollution levels in urban areas of Cdiz (Spain)

2003 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 2439-2439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Rivas ◽  
Ricardo Hernandez ◽  
Jose Luis Cueto
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Pollution Levels

scholarly journals Review of recent EU funded research projects from the perspective of urban sound planning: do the results cope with the needs of Europe’s noise policy?

Noise Mapping ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Alves ◽  
Joachim Scheuren ◽  
Beate Altreuther
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Action Programme ◽  
Funding Support ◽  
Dissemination Of Results ◽  
The Eu

AbstractNoise pollution is one of the major environmental problems affecting European citizens in urban areas. Although the Environmental Noise Directive is in force since 2002, there is still a gap between defined objectives and outcomes. The EU Seventh Environment Action Programme attempts to achieve the reduction of noise pollution by means of more effective European noise policies. This must be coupled with providing assistance to local administrations on dealing with existing noise problems, for example through Urban Sound Planners. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a systematic review of European projects addressing urban sound planning topics and furthermore an overview of the most relevant research results that can be applied by practitioners. In order to understand the European funding strategy, the most valued research topics (number of projects and funding support) are assessed. A key finding of this review is the disagreement between air traffic noise research funding and its importance on overall noise exposure. Another finding is that the scientific knowledge for urban sound planning exists but it requires adequately dissemination of results, among the policy makers and local authorities, who are usually responsible for policy implementation.

scholarly journals Effects of AIR pollution on cardiopuLmonary disEaSe in urban and peri-urban reSidents in Beijing: protocol for the AIRLESS study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 15775-15792
Author(s):  
Yiqun Han ◽  
Wu Chen ◽  
Lia Chatzidiakou ◽  
Anika Krause ◽  
Li Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Disease ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Large Scale Field

Abstract. Beijing, as a representative megacity in China, is experiencing some of the most severe air pollution episodes in the world, and its fast urbanization has led to substantial urban and peri-urban disparities in both health status and air quality. Uncertainties remain regarding the possible causal links between individual air pollutants and health outcomes, with spatial comparative investigations of these links lacking, particularly in developing megacities. In light of this challenge, Effects of AIR pollution on cardiopuLmonary disEaSe in urban and peri-urban reSidents in Beijing (AIRLESS) was initiated, with the aim of addressing the complex issue of relating multi-pollutant exposure to cardiopulmonary outcomes. This paper presents the novel methodological framework employed in the project, namely (1) the deployment of two panel studies from established cohorts in urban and peri-urban Beijing, with different exposure settings regarding pollution levels and diverse sources; (2) the collection of detailed measurements and biomarkers of participants from a nested case (hypertensive) and control (healthy) study setting; (3) the assessment of indoor and personal exposure to multiple gaseous pollutants and particulate matter at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution with validated novel sensor technologies; (4) the assessment of ambient air pollution levels in a large-scale field campaign, particularly the chemical composition of particulate matter. Preliminary results showed that there is a large difference between ambient and personal air pollution levels, and the differences varied between seasons and locations. These large differences were reflected on the different health responses between the two panels.

scholarly journals Potential health impact of transport traffic restriction in the center of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 28-32
Author(s):  
Samir Mehtiyev
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Pollution Effects ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Air Pollution Effects

The transport traffic is known to be the major reason for air pollution in urban areas. Two pollutants should be considered with attention: the particles with diameter of less than 10 microns (PM10) and carbon monoxide. The paper discusses application of time-series and geographical studies to the investigation of air pollution health effects as well as attempts to estimate potential health impact of restriction traffic in the center of Baku by 25% based on local data published in 2012(4) and 2013(5). Time-series studies investigate association between short-term variations in air pollution levels and health events counts. Confounding factors that change slowly over the time do not introduce much distortion for the association in question as population is used as its own control. Geographical studies aimed at investigation of association between long-term exposure to air pollution and chronic health outcomes. They are known to be prone to confounding because they compare populations from different locations. The evidence of air pollution effects from time-series and geographical studies is complementary. The problem of traffic air pollution is being intensified with each year and becomes one of the main public health priorities in Baku. Assuming that the results of six cities study (3) can be generalized to Baku the total number of preventable annual deaths should be around 419 in case of restriction traffic in the center of Baku by 25%. For the low border of 95%CI the result is as much as 153. Despite uncertainties in assumptions the produced evidence fully justifies the proposed intervention.

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