scholarly journals Identifying persistent temperature inversion events in a subalpine basin using radon-222

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 4455-4477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dafina Kikaj ◽  
Janja Vaupotič ◽  
Scott D. Chambers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Temperature Inversion ◽  
Relative Magnitude ◽  
World Health ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Intermittent Turbulence ◽  
Stable Conditions

Abstract. One year of meteorological and atmospheric radon observations in a topographically complex subalpine basin are used to identify persistent temperature inversion (PTI) events. PTI events play a key role in public health due to the accumulation of urban pollutants that they cause. Two techniques are compared: a new radon-based method (RBM), based on single-height 222Rn measurements from a single centrally located station, and an existing pseudo-vertical temperature gradient method (TGM) based on observations from eight weather stations around the subalpine basin. The RBM identified six PTI events (four in winter, two in autumn), a subset of the 17 events identified by the TGM. The RBM was more consistent in its identification of PTI events for all seasons and more selective of persistent strongly stable conditions. The comparatively poor performance of the TGM was attributed to seasonal inconsistencies in the validity of the method's key assumptions (influenced by mesoscale processes, such as local drainage flows, nocturnal jets, and intermittent turbulence influence) and a lack of snow cover in the basin for the 2016–2017 winter period. Corresponding meteorological quantities for RBM PTI events (constituting 27 % of the autumn–winter cold season) were well characterized. PTI wind speeds in the basin were consistently low over the whole diurnal cycle (typically 0.2–0.6 m s−1). Suitability of the two techniques for air quality assessment was compared using hourly PM10 observations. Peak PM10 concentrations for winter (autumn) PTI events were underestimated by 13 µg m−3 (11 µg m−3) by the TGM compared with the RBM. Only the RBM indicated that nocturnal hourly mean PM10 values in winter PTI events can exceed 100 µg m−3, the upper threshold of low-level short-term PM10 exposure according to World Health Organization guidelines. The efficacy, simplicity, and cost effectiveness of the RBM for identifying PTI events has the potential to make it a powerful tool for urban air quality management in complex terrain regions, for which it adds an additional dimension to contemporary atmospheric stability classification tools. Furthermore, the long-term consistency of the radon source function will enable the RBM to be used in the same way in future studies, enabling the relative magnitude of PTI events to be gauged, which is expected to assist with the assessment of public health risks.

scholarly journals Identifying ‘persistent temperature inversion’ events in a Subalpine Basin using Radon-222

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dafina Kikaj ◽  
Janja Vaupotič ◽  
Scott Chambers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Temperature Inversion ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Intermittent Turbulence ◽  
Stable Conditions

Abstract. One year of meteorological and atmospheric radon observations in a topographically-complex Subalpine Basin are used to identify ‘persistent temperature inversion’ (PTI) events. PTI events play a key role in public health due to the accumulation of urban pollutants that they cause. Two identification techniques are compared: a new method, based on single-height radon measurements from a single centrally-located station, and an existing approach based on observations from eight weather stations around the Subalpine Basin. After describing the radon-based method (RBM), its efficacy is compared with that of the existing pseudo-vertical temperature gradient method (TGM). The RBM identified 6 PTI events over the year (4 in winter, 2 in autumn), a subset of the 17 events identified by the TGM. The RBM is demonstrated to be more consistent in its identification of PTI events, and more selective of persistent strongly stable conditions. Furthermore, its performance is seasonally independent. The comparatively poor performance of the TGM was attributed to seasonal inconsistencies in the validity of the method’s key assumptions (influenced by mesoscale processes, such as local drainage flows, nocturnal jets, and intermittent turbulence influence), and a lack of snow cover in the basin for the 2016–2017 winter period. Corresponding meteorological quantities for RBM PTI events (constituting 27 % of the autumn–winter cold season), were well characterised. PTI wind speeds in the basin were consistently low over the whole diurnal cycle (typically 0.2–0.6 m s−1). The comparative efficacy of the RBM for PTI air quality assessment is demonstrated using hourly PM10 observations throughout the year. Peak hourly mean PM10 concentrations for winter (autumn) PTI events were underestimated by 13 µg m−3 (11 µg m−3) by the TGM compared with the RBM. Only the RBM indicated that nocturnal hourly mean PM10 values in winter PTI events can exceed 100 µg m−3, the upper threshold of low-level short-term PM10 exposure according to World Health Organisation guidelines. The efficacy, simplicity and cost effectiveness of the RBM for identifying PTI events has the potential to make it a powerful tool for urban air quality management in complex terrain regions; for which it adds an additional dimension to contemporary atmospheric stability classification tools. Furthermore, the long-term consistency of the radon source function will enable the RBM to be used in the same way in future studies, enabling the relative magnitude of PTI events to be gauged, which is expected to assist with the assessment of public health risks.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Association between Air Pollution and Daily Mortality in the Capital of the Green Lungs of Poland–Population-Based Study with 2,953,000 Person-Years of Follow-Up

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 2351
Author(s):  
Łukasz Kuźma ◽  
Krzysztof Struniawski ◽  
Szymon Pogorzelski ◽  
Hanna Bachórzewska-Gajewska ◽  
Sławomir Dobrzycki
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
World Health ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Daily Mortality ◽  
Male Population ◽  
The Impact

(1) Introduction: air pollution is considered to be one of the main risk factors for public health. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of approximately 500,000 citizens of the European Union (EU), including almost 5000 inhabitants of Poland every year. (2) Purpose: to assess the gender differences in the impact of air pollution on the mortality in the population of the city of Bialystok—the capital of the Green Lungs of Poland. (3) Materials and Methods: based on the data from the Central Statistical Office, the number—and causes of death—of Białystok residents in the period 2008–2017 were analyzed. The study utilized the data recorded by the Provincial Inspectorate for Environmental Protection station and the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management during the analysis period. Time series regression with Poisson distribution was used in statistical analysis. (4) Results: A total of 34,005 deaths had been recorded, in which women accounted for 47.5%. The proportion of cardiovascular-related deaths was 48% (n = 16,370). An increase of SO2 concentration by 1-µg/m3 (relative risk (RR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.12; p = 0.005) and a 10 °C decrease of temperature (RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05; p = 0.005) were related to an increase in the number of daily deaths. No gender differences in the impact of air pollution on mortality were observed. In the analysis of the subgroup of cardiovascular deaths, the main pollutant that was found to have an effect on daily mortality was particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5); the RR for 10-µg/m3 increase of PM2.5 was 1.07 (95% CI 1.02–1.12; p = 0.01), and this effect was noted only in the male population. (5) Conclusions: air quality and atmospheric conditions had an impact on the mortality of Bialystok residents. The main air pollutant that influenced the mortality rate was SO2, and there were no gender differences in the impact of this pollutant. In the male population, an increased exposure to PM2.5 concentration was associated with significantly higher cardiovascular mortality. These findings suggest that improving air quality, in particular, even with lower SO2 levels than currently allowed by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, may benefit public health. Further studies on this topic are needed, but our results bring questions whether the recommendations concerning acceptable concentrations of air pollutants should be stricter, or is there a safe concentration of SO2 in the air at all.

scholarly journals Characterizing urban pollution variability in Central Poland using radon-222

Nukleonika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-65
Author(s):  
Scott D. Chambers ◽  
Agnieszka Podstawczyńska
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Pollution ◽  
Temperature Inversion ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mixing State ◽  
Mixing Depth ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Central Poland ◽  
Guideline Values

AbstractFour years of observations of radon, meteorology and atmospheric pollution was used to demonstrate the efficacy of combined diurnal and synoptic timescale radon-based stability classification schemes in relating atmospheric mixing state to urban air quality in Zgierz, Central Poland. Nocturnal radon measurements were used to identify and remove periods of non-stationary synoptic behaviour (13–18% of each season) and classify the remaining data into five mixing states, including persistent temperature inversion (PTI) conditions, and non-PTI conditions with nocturnal conditions ranging from well mixed to stable. Mixing state classifications were performed completely independently of site meteorological measurements. World Health Organization guideline values for daily PM2.5/PM10 were exceeded only under strong PTI conditions (3–15% of non-summer months) or often under non-PTI stable nocturnal conditions (14–20% of all months), when minimum nocturnal mean wind speeds were also recorded. In non-summer months, diurnal amplitudes of NO (CO) increased by the factors of 2–12 (3–7) from well-mixed nocturnal conditions to PTI conditions, with peak concentrations occurring in the morning/evening commuting periods. Analysis of observations within radon-derived atmospheric mixing ‘class types’ was carried out to substantially clarify relationships between meteorological and air quality parameters (e.g. wind speed vs. PM2.5 concentration, and atmospheric mixing depth vs. PM10 concentration).

scholarly journals Aerosol and boundary-layer interactions and impact on air quality

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 810-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhanqing Li ◽  
Jianping Guo ◽  
Aijun Ding ◽  
Hong Liao ◽  
Jianjun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Temperature Inversion ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Liquid Phases ◽  
Aerosol Scattering ◽  
Aerosol Radiative Effects

Abstract Air quality is concerned with pollutants in both the gas phase and solid or liquid phases. The latter are referred to as aerosols, which are multifaceted agents affecting air quality, weather and climate through many mechanisms. Unlike gas pollutants, aerosols interact strongly with meteorological variables with the strongest interactions taking place in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The PBL hosting the bulk of aerosols in the lower atmosphere is affected by aerosol radiative effects. Both aerosol scattering and absorption reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the ground and thus reduce the sensible heat fluxes that drive the diurnal evolution of the PBL. Moreover, aerosols can increase atmospheric stability by inducing a temperature inversion as a result of both scattering and absorption of solar radiation, which suppresses dispersion of pollutants and leads to further increases in aerosol concentration in the lower PBL. Such positive feedback is especially strong during severe pollution events. Knowledge of the PBL is thus crucial for understanding the interactions between air pollution and meteorology. A key question is how the diurnal evolution of the PBL interacts with aerosols, especially in vertical directions, and affects air quality. We review the major advances in aerosol measurements, PBL processes and their interactions with each other through complex feedback mechanisms, and highlight the priorities for future studies.

scholarly journals Self-organized classification of boundary layer meteorology and associated characteristics of air quality in Beijing

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 6771-6783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiheng Liao ◽  
Jiaren Sun ◽  
Jialin Yao ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
Haowen Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Strong Stability ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Stable Conditions

Abstract. Self-organizing maps (SOMs; a feature-extracting technique based on an unsupervised machine learning algorithm) are used to classify atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) meteorology over Beijing through detecting topological relationships among the 5-year (2013–2017) radiosonde-based virtual potential temperature profiles. The classified ABL types are then examined in relation to near-surface pollutant concentrations to understand the modulation effects of the changing ABL meteorology on Beijing's air quality. Nine ABL types (i.e., SOM nodes) are obtained through the SOM classification technique, and each is characterized by distinct dynamic and thermodynamic conditions. In general, the self-organized ABL types are able to distinguish between high and low loadings of near-surface pollutants. The average concentrations of PM2.5, NO2 and CO dramatically increased from the near neutral (i.e., Node 1) to strong stable conditions (i.e., Node 9) during all seasons except for summer. Since extremely strong stability can isolate the near-surface observations from the influence of elevated SO2 pollution layers, the highest average SO2 concentrations are typically observed in Node 3 (a layer with strong stability in the upper ABL) rather than Node 9. In contrast, near-surface O3 shows an opposite dependence on atmospheric stability, with the lowest average concentration in Node 9. Analysis of three typical pollution months (i.e., January 2013, December 2015 and December 2016) suggests that the ABL types are the primary drivers of day-to-day variations in Beijing's air quality. Assuming a fixed relationship between ABL type and PM2.5 loading for different years, the relative (absolute) contributions of the ABL anomaly to elevated PM2.5 levels are estimated to be 58.3 % (44.4 µg m−3) in January 2013, 46.4 % (22.2 µg m−3) in December 2015 and 73.3 % (34.6 µg m−3) in December 2016.

scholarly journals A Simplified Model for Intermittent Turbulence in the Nocturnal Boundary Layer

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 1714-1729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe D. Costa ◽  
Otávio C. Acevedo ◽  
José C. M. Mombach ◽  
Gervásio A. Degrazia
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Intermittent Turbulence ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Boundary Layer Height ◽  
Stability Functions ◽  
Stable Conditions ◽  
Local Shear ◽  
Complex Solutions

Abstract A model for the exchange between the surface and the atmosphere under stable conditions is proposed. It is based on the classical scheme first suggested by Blackadar and comprises prognostic equations for the wind components and air and ground temperature. The main difference from previous works consists in the fact that the turbulent intensity is determined by a prognostic equation for turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), rather than by using stability functions that arbitrarily relate it to atmospheric stability. Results show that the model reproduces the condition of connection and disconnection between the surface and upper levels. Furthermore, it leads to periodic turbulence bursts when one level within the stable boundary layer (SBL) is considered and the use of additional levels increasingly leads to more complex solutions, characterizing the occurrence of global intermittency. Such turbulence bursts occur in the disconnected state and cause large fluctuations of the variables near the surface. The boundary layer height plays a role in the sense that for the same geostrophic winds, connection is favored for shallower layers. Although playing a role in the intermittency characteristics, soil type is not determinant to their existence, as the bursts occur even for very high values of heat capacity. Vertical profiles for both the intermittent and connected state are analyzed and in general agree with observations. It is shown that, near the surface, weak turbulence bursts favor the exchange between the air and the cooler ground, leading to a local temperature decrease, while stronger events that mix the air deeper in the SBL cause an average warming tendency. An opposite pattern occurs at the upper SBL. Intermittency is favored over a range of low geostrophic winds and clear skies, in agreement with previous suggestions. The vertical structure of the intermittent events is analyzed, and it shown that they are generated at the surface by a local shear increase above a threshold, propagating upward through the turbulence transfer term in the TKE equation. It is proposed that such events constitute a natural characteristic of the disconnected SBL, which occurs along with low large-scale winds and clear skies.

scholarly journals 6.D. Workshop: Climate change, energy issues and air pollution – as a triad of health priorities

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
The World ◽  
Energy Issues

Abstract As well known, climate change changes weather patterns, producing far-reaching effects on the environment, the economy and society as a whole, endangering global livelihoods, health, food and energy security, and water resources. Climate change, although globally threating to the human population and biocenosis, yet has some positive sides if the unity achieved through the Green Deal (GD) can be named so. It is difficult to prioritize among many present-day challenges and many health threats. This document strongly confirms the path to be navigated. What is the role of health professionals and what is the possible contribution of public health? This European Commission document envisages Europe as the first climate-neutral continent while strengthening its economy, taking care of and improving its inhabitants' health. The GD insists on the care for nature and a clear view that no one should be left out and left behind. This workshop points out that, even we have large regulatory framework on clean air, air pollution in the European Union continues to be the top environmental threat to health, leading to approx. 400,000 early deaths annually and high health costs. Over 20 of the 27 EU countries fail to keep air quality standards, which for key pollutants are already less strict than what the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends. There were several possible scenarios, out of which two were considered: one based on collaboration and the other, on conflict. Several dimensions were examined to address both cooperation instruments and the consequences of non-cooperation: Energy production (e.g., conventional versus renewable) and use; water resources and food security; the environment (air quality) and the impact on health; Population and migration flow. The Energy issues in the world demand new innovative ways of providing us with energy. Innovations sometimes go faster than the health sector can study the disadvantages for health. The burden of disease might change due to new forms of energy. It is important to note that health sector has an opportunity to not only prevent further damage from the air pollution and climate crises, but also to improve health outcomes by decarbonizing, building climate resilience, and amplifying the message around the interdependency between climate change and human health. This workshop will present a framework, co-developed by WHO and Health Care Without Harm, for climate-resilient, sustainable health facilities. Key messages The public health sector should consider the GD as an argument for achieving goals at national levels, and align national public health policies with the goals of this document. Achieving goals requires the education process for healthcare professionals covering all of topics of climate change, energy and air pollution to a much greater extent than before.

On the issue of optimization of atmospheric air quality monitoring for the implementation of the Federal project «Clean Air»

2019 ◽  
pp. 931-936
Author(s):  
I. V. May ◽  
A. A. Kokoulina ◽  
S. Yu. Balashov
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Atmospheric Air ◽  
Monitoring Programs ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
The City

Introduction. The city of Chita of Zabaikalsky region is one of the cities of Russia, priority on level of pollution of atmosphere. Of the order of 130 impurities emitted by the sources of the city, 12 are monitored at 5 posts of the Roshydromet network. Maximum monthly average concentrations are formed by benz (a) pyrene (up to 56.8 MPC), hydrogen sulfide (12.3 MPC), suspended particles (up to 4PDC), phenol (up to 3.6 MPC). Significant emissions (59.73 thousand tons in 2018) are aggravated by the use of coal as a fuel by heat and power enterprises and the private sector, climatic and geographical features. Within the framework of the Federal project “Clean Air” of the national project “Ecology”, it is envisaged to reduce the gross emission of pollutants into the atmosphere of Chita by 8.75 thousand tons by 2024, which should lead to a significant improvement in the safety and quality of life of citizens. It is necessary to identify the most “risky “components of pollution for health.It is important to understand: whether the environmental monitoring system reflects the real picture of the dangers posed by pollution of the city’s atmosphere; whether there is a need to optimize the monitoring system for the subsequent assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of measures; what impurities and at what points should be monitored in the interests of the population, administration and economic entities implementing air protection measures.The aim of the study is to develop recommendations for optimizing the program of environmental monitoring of air quality in the city of Chita, taking into account the criteria of danger to public health for the subsequent evaluation of the effectiveness and effectiveness of the Federal project “Clean Air”.Materials and methods. Justification of optimization of monitoring programs was carried out through the calculation of hazard indices, considering: the mass of emissions and toxicological characteristics of each chemical; the population under the influence. A vector map of the city with a layer “population density” was used as a topographic base. The indices were calculated for regular grid cells covering the residential area. For each cell, the repeatability of winds of 8 points from the priority enterprises and the population within the calculated cell were taken into account. As a result, each calculation cell was characterized by a total coefficient, taking into account the danger of potential impacts of emissions. Based on the results of the assessments, recommendations were formulated to optimize the placement of posts in the city and the formation of monitoring programs.Results. Indices of carcinogenic danger to the health of the population of Chita ranged from 584,805. 96 to 0.03 (priorities: carbon (soot), benzene, benz (a) pyrene); indices of non-carcinogenic danger — from 1,443,558. 24 to 0.00 (priorities: sulfur dioxide, inorganic dust containing 70–20% SiO2, fuel oil ash). The greatest danger to public health stationary sources of emissions form in the North-Western, Western and South-Eastern parts of the city. Roshydromet posts in these zones are absent.Conclusions. As part of the objectives of the project “Clean Air”, it is recommended to Supplement the existing state network of observations of atmospheric air quality in Chita with two posts; to include manganese, xylene, vanadium pentoxide in the monitoring programs, to carry out the determination of Benz(a)pyrene et all posts, which will allow to fully and adequately assess the danger of emissions of economic entities, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of the provided air protection measures.

Should Public Health and Policy Communities Interact With the Food Industry? It Depends on Context Comment on "Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool"

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Cullerton ◽  
Jean Adams ◽  
Martin White
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Nutrition Policy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Business Goals ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Intractable Problem ◽  
Policy Communities

The issue of public health and policy communities engaging with food sector companies has long caused tension and debate. Ralston and colleagues’ article ‘Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool’ further examines this issue. They found widespread food industry opposition, not just to the details of the World Health Organization (WHO) tool, but to the very idea of it. In this commentary we reflect on this finding and the arguments for and against interacting with the food industry during different stages of the policy process. While involving the food industry in certain aspects of the policy process without favouring their business goals may seem like an intractable problem, we believe there are opportunities for progress that do not compromise our values as public health professionals. We suggest three key steps to making progress.

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