Air Quality

Size distribution of alkyl amines in continental particulate matter and their online detection in the gas and particle phase

by Trevor Vandenboer

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11, 4319 - 4332, 2011

An ion chromatographic method is described for the quantification of the simple alkyl amines: methylamine (MA),... more An ion chromatographic method is described for the quantification of the simple alkyl amines: methylamine (MA), dimethylamine (DMA), trimethylamine (TMA), ethylamine (EA), diethylamine (DEA) and triethylamine (TEA), in the ambient atmosphere. Limits of detection (3) are in the tens of pmol range for all of these amines, and good resolution is achieved for all compounds except for TMA and DEA. The technique was applied to the analysis of time-integrated samples collected using a micro-orifice uniform deposition impactor (MOUDI) with ten stages for size resolution of particles with aerodynamic diameters between 56 nm and 18 m. In eight samples from urban and rural continental airmasses, the mass loading of amines consistently maximized on the stage corresponding to particles with aerodynamic diameters between 320 and 560 nm. The molar ratio of amines to ammonium (R3NH+/NH4+) in fine aerosol ranged between 0.005 and 0.2, and maximized for the smallest particle sizes. The size-dependence of the R3NH+/NH4+ ratio indicates differences in the relative importance of the processes leading to the incorporation of amines and ammonia into secondary particles. The technique was also used to make simultaneous hourly online measurements of amines in the gas phase and in fine particulate matter using an Ambient Ion Monitor Ion Chromatograph (AIM-IC). During a ten day campaign in downtown Toronto, DMA, TMA + DEA, and TEA were observed to range from below detection limit to 2.7 ppt in the gas phase. In the particle phase, MAH+ and TMAH+ + DEAH+ were observed to range from below detection limit up to 15 ng m-3. The presence of detectable levels of amines in the particle phase corresponded to periods with higher relative humidity and higher mass loadings of nitrate. While the hourly measurements made using the AIM-IC provide data that can be used the evaluate the application of gas-particle partitioning models to amines, the strong size-dependence of the R3NH+/NH4+ ratio indicates that using bulk measurements may not be appropriate.

Isocyanic acid in a global chemistry transport model: Tropospheric distribution, budget, and identification of regions with potential health impacts

by Trevor Vandenboer

Paul. J. Young, Louisa. K. Emmons, James M. Roberts, Jean–François Lamarque, Christine Wiedinmyer, Patrick Veres, and Trevor C. VandenBoer

Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres
doi:10.1029/2011JD017393, in press.

http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_20534406

http://news.discovery.com/earth/billions-inhale-acid-from-fires-120501.html

This study uses a global chemical transport model to estimate the distribution of isocyanic acid (HNCO). HNCO is... more This study uses a global chemical transport model to estimate the distribution of isocyanic acid (HNCO). HNCO is toxic, and concentrations exceeding 1 ppbv have been suggested to have negative health effects. Based on fire studies, HNCO emissions were scaled to those of hydrogen cyanide (30%), resulting in yearly total emissions of 1.5 Tg for 2008, from both anthropogenic and biomass burning sources. Loss processes included heterogeneous uptake (pH dependent), dry deposition (like formic acid), and reaction with the OH radical (k = 1 x 10^-15 molecule^-1 cm^3 s^-1). Annual mean surface HNCO concentrations were highest over parts of China (maximum of 470 pptv), but episodic fire emissions gave much higher levels, exceeding 4 ppbv in tropical Africa and the Amazon, and exceeding 10 ppbv in Southeast Asia and Siberia. This suggests that large biomass burning events could result in deleterious health effects for populations in these regions. For the tropospheric budget, using the model-calculated pH the HNCO lifetime was 37 days, with the split between dry deposition and heterogeneous loss being 95%:5%. Fixing the heterogeneous loss rate at pH = 7 meant that this process dominated, accounting for ~70% of the total loss, giving a lifetime of 6 days, and resulting in upper tropospheric concentrations that were essentially zero. However, changing the pH does not notably
impact the high concentrations found in biomass burning regions. More observational data is needed to evaluate the model, as well as a better representation of the likely underestimated biofuel emissions, which could mean more populations exposed to
elevated HNCO concentrations.

Analysis and Prediction of Air Quality Data with the Gamma Classifier

by Itzamá López Yáñez

Characterising poultry dust properties, assessing the human health implications, quantifying emission levels and assessing the potential for abatement

by Gavin Phillips

Data Inaccuracies in Texas State Agency Testing for Ambient and Indoor Carbon Dioxide Concentrations 2005-2011

by Texas State PA Applied Research Projects

Conrad, Amber N., "Data Inaccuracies in Texas State Agency Testing for Ambient and Indoor Carbon Dioxide Concentrations 2005-2011" (2011). Applied Research Projects, Texas State University-San Marcos. Paper 385.

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to explore indoor air quality assessment reports conducted by the Texas... more Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to explore indoor air quality assessment reports conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services Environmental Hazards Group relative to building ventilation as measured by carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. The TDSHS provides indoor air quality testing in public buildings as mandated in the Texas Government Code. Method. Ambient concentrations of CO2 do not vary as widely as concentrations within indoor, occupied buildings. A range of 300-500 parts per million was developed as an acceptable concentration variance for ambient CO2 levels. The ambient levels of CO2 reported by TDSHS from each building were then compared to this range. If the ambient CO2 levels from a specific site were within the range they were considered typical and normal. If the ambient CO2 levels from a specific site were out of range they were considered suspect. Results. Of the 122 sites in the dataset, 31.15 percent were out of acceptable range and considered suspect. Of the data reported in one year of TDSHS site assessments, the percentage of suspect readings was 100 percent. This year was then followed by a year with 92 percent of all data out of range. Conclusion. Based on these results, TDSHS should examine all reported data from the Environmental Hazards Group for suspect CO2 data and implement appropriate actions to determine why atypical and abnormal ambient CO2 levels were reported. Employee training schedules and instrument calibration procedures should be assessed. Steps should be taken by TDSHS to address the issue of inaccurate interagency reports and to mitigate negative consequences. An agency oversight committee should be formed to assure the collection of reliable data or terminate the indoor air quality assessments offered to other agencies and seek third party companies to perform these assessments.

Air Quality monitoring, modelling and legislation: Implementation and compliance issues

by Marilena Karyampa

Air pollution is a major concern especially in urban areas, due to the associated impacts to human health and the... more Air pollution is a major concern especially in urban areas, due to the associated impacts to human health and the environment. This thesis aims at identifying the main issues relating to the implementation of measures and compliance with standards which target the reduction of pollutant concentrations in ambient air, and more particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) concentrations as these were dictated by the Air Quality Directive (AQD) (2008/50/EC). In this respect, the EU legislation is analysed in detail with regard to air quality and transport emissions regulations. The legal procedure is also reviewed from the drafting of an EC Directive and the roles of the European Council and the Member States, to its implementation at a national level and the devolution of responsibility to the relevant local authorities, as well as the infringement procedure and the role of the European Court of Justice in cases of non-compliance. In order to provide a comprehensive view of both implementation and compliance issues with respect to the AQD, a detailed analysis of the monitoring and modelling techniques for PM10 and NO2 is also carried out. For this reason, five research questions are formulated relating to the monitoring requirements as dictated by the AQD and their implementation at a national level, difficulties in forecasting emissions from road transport, as well as the uncertainties and limitations of air quality models. In order to illustrate the main difficulties and assess why the limit values have not been met, a few scenarios are analysed using the BRUTAL model for the UK. Over the years, it has been observed that compliance with the annual NO2 limit value is more difficult to achieve than the one-hour episode exceedances, while for PM10 the daily limit value has proven more difficult to comply with, especially in London. An important aspect of the AQD is the allowed applications for extension in complying with the limit values. The UK was recently granted an extension of 3 years to comply with the PM10 daily limit value and will be applying for a 5-year extension for the NO2 annual limit value. When assessing compliance with the legislation and the requirements for granting an extension a range of factors is taken into consideration. It is concluded that inherent uncertainties in both the instrumentation and the modelling techniques used for assessing NO2 and PM concentrations significantly affect compliance with the limit values; these are adequately addressed by the AQD. There are other factors, however, that have been outside the country’s control, such as the failure of the Euro standards in delivering the anticipated emission reductions for NOx, the unforeseen increase in primary NO2 emitted by different vehicle types, the contribution of long-range secondary pollutants and other PM components, as well as the quantification and definition of the ‘natural sources’ contributions. It should be noted that setting numerical standards significantly restricts the feasibility of implemented measures and overall compliance.

Neural and Neuro-Fuzzy Integration In a Knowledge-Based System for Air Quality Prediction

by Elias Kalapanidas

Air Quality Management Using a Multi-Agent System

by Elias Kalapanidas

Short-Term Air Quality Prediction Using a Case-Based Classifier

by Elias Kalapanidas

Air Quality Forecasting Problem.

by Elias Kalapanidas

Impact of outdoor air pollution on the health of London’s children

by Giovanni Leonardi

Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report, Sept 2005
UK Health Protection Agency
page 32

Evaluation of methodologies for exposure assessment to atmospheric pollutants from a landfill site

by Giovanni Leonardi

Mohan R, Leonardi GS, Robins A, Jefferis S, Coy J, Wight J, Murray V.
Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom.

J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2009 Apr;59(4):490-501.

Epidemiological studies around landfill sites are limited by several factors, particularly a lack of accurate exposure... more Epidemiological studies around landfill sites are limited by several factors, particularly a lack of accurate exposure assessment. Traditionally, exposure estimates are based on distance between place of residence and the landfill site. However, this measure of exposure ignores the effects that environmental factors may have upon exposure. A previous epidemiological study at a landfill site in the United Kingdom provided the basis for a case study to investigate exposure assessment methodologies that could support ongoing and future epidemiological work. Estimation of relative exposure to atmospheric pollutants near the site was refined using the Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling System (ADMS) 3.1. Annual average concentrations were calculated around the landfill site, which was modeled as an area source with a steady release rate over its entire active surface. Local meteorological and terrain data were used in the assessment. A geographical information system (GIS) was then used to link the results of the modeling to population and other data. Sensitivity studies were included to examine the variation of predicted exposure with several modeling assumptions and hence set other uncertainties in context. No simple relationship existed between the relative individual exposure measured by distance from the site and by dispersion modeling. A reassessment of exposure assessment in epidemiological studies around landfill sites was then undertaken with the refined estimates of exposure. This concluded that use of distance from the site as a proxy for exposure could lead to significant exposure misclassification in comparison with exposure assessment using atmospheric dispersion modeling and GIS. The study also indicated that assessment of peak exposure rates (i.e., extreme concentration levels) might be necessary in some epidemiological work. Optimum strategies for increasing the probability of observing effects in the more highly exposed population can be derived by combining the results of dispersion modeling with population data and, where feasible, knowledge of the toxicology of the substances of interest.

Immune biomarkers in relation to exposure to particulate matter: a cross-sectional survey in 17 cities of Central Europe

by Giovanni Leonardi

An integrated tool to assess the role of new planting in PM10 capture and the human health benefits: a case study in London

by Giovanni Leonardi

Abhishek Tiwary a, Danielle Sinnett b, Christopher Peachey b, Zaid Chalabi c, Sotiris Vardoulakis c, Tony Fletcher c, Giovanni Leonardi d, Chris Grundy c, Adisa Azapagic a, Tony R. Hutchings b

a School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Sciences, Environment and Sustainable Technology Division, The University of Manchester, PO Box 88, Sackville St, Manchester, M60 1QD, UK
b Land Regeneration and Urban Greenspace Research Group, Centre for Forestry and Climate Change, Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH, UK
c Public & Environmental Health Research Unit, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
d Centre for Radiation, Chemical, and Environmental Health Hazards, Health Protection Agency, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, UK


doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2009.05.005

Unraveling the complex local-scale flows influencing ozone patterns in the southern Great Lakes of North America

by Ilan Levy

Levy, I., Makar, P. A., Sills, D., Zhang, J., Hayden, K. L., Mihele, C., Narayan, J., Moran, M. D., Sjostedt, S., and Brook, J; Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 10895-10915, doi:10.5194/acp-10-10895-2010, 2010

Studying coastal recirculation with a simplified analytical land-sea breeze model

by Ilan Levy

I. Levy, U. Dayan, and Y. Mahrer, “Studying coastal recirculation with a simplified analytical land-sea breeze model,” Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres 113, no. 3104 (2008).

Assessment between pollen seasons in areas with different urbanization level related to local vegetation sources and differences in allergen exposure

by Diego Fdez-Sevilla

Aerobiologia (2010) 26: 1-14, February 22, 2010

By  Rodríguez-Rajo, F. Javier; Fdez-Sevilla, Diego; Stach, Alicja; Jato, Victoria

Keywords: Arboreal, Herbaceous, Pollen, Rural, Urban and Aerobiology.

Pollen data recorded by a single sampler in any given city often fail to reflect particular events occurring in... more Pollen data recorded by a single sampler in any given city often fail to reflect particular events occurring in surrounding areas. This is frequently overlooked when interpreting aerobiological results, and therefore pollen data obtained in urban areas may not necessarily be representative of the situation in more rural areas of the same city. Our purpose is to assess differences between allergenic pollen concentrations recorded in an urban area (Eskulap) and a rural/suburban (Morasko) of the same city from 2005 to 2007. Anova-Manova Scheffe, Spearman correlation and Mixed-design ANOVA whitin-subjects effects tests were applied. The results obtained have showed longer pollen seasons, earlier starts of flowering and later conclusion in the urban area. The participation of arboreal pollen in the pollen fall of both sites had enough significative similarities to determine that is linked to regional conditions, while differences in the atmospheric pollen content of herbaceous plants between sites should be due to local conditions.