scholarly journals Assessment of the Effects of the Spanish National Air Pollution Control Programme on Air Quality

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta G. Vivanco ◽  
Juan Luis Garrido ◽  
Fernando Martín ◽  
Mark R. Theobald ◽  
Victoria Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
The Impact

During the last few decades, European legislation has driven progress in reducing air pollution in Europe through emission mitigation measures. In this paper, we use a chemistry transport model to assess the impact on ambient air quality of the measures considered for 2030 in the for the scenarios with existing (WEM2030) and additional measures (WAM2030). The study estimates a general improvement of air quality for the WAM2030 scenario, with no non-compliant air quality zones for NO2, SO2, and PM indicators. Despite an improvement for O3, the model still estimates non-compliant areas. For this pollutant, the WAM2030 scenario leads to different impacts depending on the indicator considered. Although the model estimates a reduction in maximum hourly O3 concentrations, small increases in O3 concentrations in winter and nighttime in the summer lead to increases in the annual mean in some areas and increases in other indicators (SOMO35 for health impacts and AOT40 for impacts on vegetation) in some urban areas. The results suggest that the lower NOx emissions in the WEM and WAM scenarios lead to less removal of O3 by NO titration, especially background ozone in winter and both background and locally produced ozone in summer, in areas with high NOx emissions.

scholarly journals Urban Air Quality Guidance Based on Measures Categorization in Road Transport

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-267
Author(s):  
Beti Angelevska ◽  
Vaska Atanasova ◽  
Igor Andreevski
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Urban Air Quality ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Urban Air ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
Pollution Levels

Air pollution is a cause for serious concerns in urban areas in Republic of North Macedonia. Intensive development of road transport increases the main air pollutants’ concentrations - particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, whose monitored values are continuously exceeding the limit. The main disadvantage of the national plans and annual reports is the absence of comprehensive and categorized list of reduction/mitigation measures for road transport impacts on air quality. Analyzing the current air pollution problem and road transport contribution this paper provides the needed and detailed categorization of short-to-long term reduction/mitigation measures consisting of five subcategories. Based on measure categorization, a guiding frame for urban air quality is designed, intended for further support and assistance for local authorities in the process of air pollution control. Designed with integrated activities, the air quality guidance enables them to select suitable measures to manage road transport pollution and to evaluate their effects estimating the changes in air pollution levels. Hence, the guidance can be used for thorough planning of air quality issues caused by road transport and for policy making. Contributing for urban air quality improvement the guidance is a first step towards the implementation of air pollution management in urban areas. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091651 Full Text: PDF

scholarly journals Ambient Air Quality Measurement with Low-Cost Optical and Electrochemical Sensors: An Evaluation of Continuous Year-Long Operation

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Jiří Bílek ◽  
Ondřej Bílek ◽  
Petr Maršolek ◽  
Pavel Buček
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Sensor Network ◽  
Electrochemical Sensors ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Concentration Changes ◽  
The Impact

Sensor technology is attractive to the public due to its availability and ease of use. However, its usage raises numerous questions. The general trustworthiness of sensor data is widely discussed, especially with regard to accuracy, precision, and long-term signal stability. The VSB-Technical University of Ostrava has operated an air quality sensor network for more than two years, and its large sets of valid results can help in understanding the limitations of sensory measurement. Monitoring is focused on the concentrations of dust particles, NO2, and ozone to verify the impact of newly planted greenery on the reduction in air pollution. The sensor network currently covers an open field on the outskirts of Ostrava, between Liberty Ironworks and the nearby ISKO1650 monitoring station, where some of the worst air pollution levels in the Czech Republic are regularly measured. In the future, trees should be allowed to grow over the sensors, enabling assessment of the green barrier effect on air pollution. As expected, the service life of the sensors varies from 1 to 3 years; therefore, checks are necessary both prior to the measurement and regularly during operation, verifying output stability and overall performance. Results of the PMx sensory measurements correlated well with the reference method. Concentration values measured by NO2 sensors correlated poorly with the reference method, although timeline plots of concentration changes were in accordance. We suggest that a comparison of timelines should be used for air quality evaluations, rather than particular values. The results showed that the sensor measurements are not yet suitable to replace the reference methods, and dense sensor networks proved useful and robust tools for indicative air quality measurements (AQM).

scholarly journals Impacts of Current and Projected Oil Palm Plantation Expansion on Air Quality Over Southeast Asia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam J. Silva ◽  
Colette L. Heald ◽  
Jeffrey A. Geddes ◽  
Kemen G. Austin ◽  
Prasad S. Kasibhatla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Chemical Transport Model ◽  
Oil Palm Plantation ◽  
Deposition Velocities ◽  
Current Constellation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Over recent decades oil palm plantations have rapidly expanded across Southeast Asia (SEA). According to the United Nations, oil palm production in SEA increased by a factor of 3 from 1995 to 2010. We investigate the impacts of current (2010) and future (2020) oil palm expansion in SEA on surface-atmosphere exchange and the resulting air quality in the region. For this purpose, we use satellite data, high-resolution land maps, and the chemical transport model GEOS-Chem. Relative to a no oil palm plantation scenario (~ 1990), overall simulated isoprene emissions in the region increase by 13 % due to oil palm plantations in 2010 and a further 11 % by 2020. In addition, the expansion of palm plantations leads to local increases in ozone deposition velocities of up to 20 %. The net result of these changes is that oil palm expansion in SEA increases surface O3 by up to 3.5 ppbv over dense urban regions, and could rise more than 4.5 ppbv above baseline levels by 2020. Biogenic secondary organic aerosol loadings also increase by up to 1 μg m−3 due to oil palm expansion, and could increase a further 2.5 μg m−3 by 2020. Our analysis indicates that while the impact of recent oil palm expansion on air quality in the region has been significant, the retrieval error and sensitivity of the current constellation of satellite measurements limit our ability to observe these impacts from space. Oil palm expansion is likely to continue to degrade air quality in the region in the coming decade and hinder efforts to achieve air quality regulations in major urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

scholarly journals Ambient air quality in an urban area and its effects on plants and human beings: a case study of Tiruchirappalli, India

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirajuddin M Horaginamani ◽  
M Ravichandran
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Ambient Air Quality

Though water and land pollution is very dangerous, air pollution has its own peculiarities, due to its transboundary dispersion of pollutants over the entire world. In any well planned urban set up, industrial pollution takes a back seat and vehicular emissions take precedence as the major cause of urban air pollution. Air pollution is one of the serious problems faced by the people globally, especially in urban areas of developing countries like India. All these in turn lead to an increase in the air pollution levels and have adverse effects on the health of people and plants. Western countries have conducted several studies in this area, but there are only a few studies in developing countries like India. A study on ambient air quality in Tiruchirappalli urban area and its possible effects selected plants and human health has been undertaken, which may be helpful to bring out possible control measures. Keywords: ambient air quality; respiratory disorders; APTI; human health DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v6i2.4007Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.6. No II, November, 2010, pp.13-19

scholarly journals Measured and modelled air quality trends in Italy over the period 2003–2010

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria D'Elia ◽  
Gino Briganti ◽  
Lina Vitali ◽  
Antonio Piersanti ◽  
Gaia Righini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Chemical Transport Model ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
Significant Downward Trend ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Air pollution harms human health and the environment. Several regulatory efforts and different actions have been taken in the last decades by authorities. Air quality trend analysis represents a valid tool in assessing the impact of these actions taken both at national and local levels. This paper presents for the first time the capability of the Italian national chemical transport model, AMS-MINNI, in capturing the observed concentration trends of three air pollutants, NO2, inhalable particles having diameter less than 10 micrometres (PM10) and O3, in Italy over the period 2003–2010. We firstly analyse the model performance finding it in line with the state of the art of regional models applications. The modelled trends result in a general significant downward trend for the three pollutants and, in comparison with observations, the values of the simulated slopes show the same magnitude for NO2 (in the range −3.0 ÷ −0.5 ug m−3 yr−1), while a smaller variability is detected for PM10 (−1.5 ÷ −0.5 ug m−3 yr−1) and O3-maximum daily 8-hour average concentration (−2.0 ÷ −0.5 ug m−3 yr−1). As a general result, we find a good agreement between modelled and observed trends; moreover, the model allowed to extend both the spatial coverage and the statistical significance of pollutants' concentrations trends with respect to observations, in particular for NO2. We also conduct a qualitative attempt to correlate the temporal concentration trends to meteorological and emission variability. Since no clear tendency in yearly meteorological anomalies (temperature, precipitation, geopotential height) was observed for the period investigated, we focus the discussion of concentrations trends on emissions variations. We point out that, due to the complex links between precursors emissions and air pollutants concentrations, emission reductions do not always result in a corresponding decrease in atmospheric concentrations, especially for those pollutants that are formed in the atmosphere such as O3 and the major fraction of PM10. These complex phenomena are still uncertain and their understanding is of the utmost importance in planning future policies for reducing air pollution and its impacts on health and ecosystems.

scholarly journals Air Quality and Human Health among a Low Income Community in the Highveld Priority Area

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.Y Wright ◽  
R Oosthuizen ◽  
J John ◽  
R.M Garland ◽  
P Albers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Priority Area ◽  
The Impact

Human exposure to poor air quality is linked to adverse health effects. The largest burden of air pollution-related diseases is in developing countries where air pollution levels are also among the highest in the world. In South Africa, two geographic areas, the Vaal Triangle and the Highveld, have been identified for air quality managementinterventions to ensure compliance with National Air Quality Management Standards and to control potential harmful air pollution impacts on human health. The Highveld Priority Area (HPA) is characterised by intense mining, coal-fired power plants, industries, including iron and steel manufacturing, chemical plants, agricultural activity, motor vehicles and domestic fuel burning. Apart from two previous studies, no respiratory health studies have been carried out in the HPA. This paper describes the results of a recent, comprehensive study of ambient air quality, potential exposure to air pollution and air-related human health among a low income community living in the HPA in order to better understand the impact of air pollution on human health in South Africa.

Umfang und Grenzen der Luftreinhalteplanung

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Berger
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Nitrogen Dioxide ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Air Pollution Control ◽  
Eu Law ◽  
Ambient Air Quality ◽  
Control Plan ◽  
Limit Value

Since the rulings of the Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG) of 27 February 2018 on the Stuttgart and Düsseldorf air pollution control plans, diesel driving bans have become one of the best-known but also most controversial measures in the context of air pollution control planning. The reason for this is that the limit value for nitrogen dioxide, which is based on the requirements of the Ambient Air Quality Directive under EU law, is exceeded, particularly in conurbations. Taking into account the legal and administrative court requirements for the proportionality of traffic bans, the current challenges for the instrument of the air pollution control plan are shown and the implementation of planned measures in practice is examined on the basis of selected air pollution control plans.

Breathe Easy, There's an App for That: Using Information and Communication Technology to Avoid Air Pollution in Bogotá

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Blackman ◽  
Bridget Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Avoidance Behavior ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Real Time Information ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Information

Ambient air pollution is a leading cause of death in developing countries. In theory, using smartphone apps, text messages, and other personal information and communication technologies to disseminate real-time information about such pollution can boost avoidance behavior like wearing face masks and closing windows. Yet evidence on their effectiveness is limited. We conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of training university students in Bogotá, Colombia to use a newly available municipal government smartphone app that displays real-time information on air quality. The training increased participants acquisition of information about air quality, their knowledge about avoidance behavior, and their actual avoidance behavior. It also enhanced their concern about other environmental issues. These effects were moderated by participants characteristics. For example, the training was generally less effective among job holders.

scholarly journals The Impact of Air Quality on Inbound Tourist Arrivals over China Based on Grey Relational Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10972
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Ziqiang Liu ◽  
Yujie Zhang ◽  
Elly Yaluk ◽  
Li Li
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Grey Relational Analysis ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Relational Analysis ◽  
Grey Relational ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Relational Order

Air pollution has a significant impact on tourism; however, research in this area is still limited. In this study, we applied grey relational analysis to panel data from 31 provinces in China and evaluated the relationship between air quality and inbound tourist arrivals. The study focused on provincial-level disparities for the different key air quality evaluation standards during 2009–2012 and 2013–2019. For instance, we considered PM10, SO2, NO2 and the excellent and good ratings of Air Pollution Index (API) during 2009–2012 and the additional PM2.5, CO, O3 and the excellent and good ratings of Air Quality Index (AQI) from 2013 to 2019. Results indicate that: (1) Inbound tourist arrivals are significantly and positively affected by ambient air quality, and the impact from 2013 to 2019 was greater than that from 2009 to 2012; (2) there is regional diversity in inbound tourist arrivals, and the impact of the different air quality indicators varies; (3) inbound tourists showed greater sensitivity to air pollution under the AQI standard; (4) the impact of air quality indicators on the inbound tourist arrivals shows grey relational order, and the concentration of PM2.5, PM10 and SO2 have less impact than NO2, CO and O3 on changes in tourism numbers; (5) consistency in the air quality impact on foreign tourists and compatriot tourists from HK, MO and TW varies by air quality indicators. This study highlights the need for appropriate measures to improve air quality for high-quality and sustainable development of inbound tourism.

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