Relationship between air pollution and daily mortality in a subtropical city: Taipei, Taiwan

Air pollution has been associated with daily mortality in numerous studies over the past decade. However most of these studies were conducted in the United States and Europe with relatively few done in Asia. In the current study, the association between ambient air pollution and daily mortality in Taipei, Taiwan's largest city which has a subtropical climate was undertaken, for the period 1994-1998 using a case-crossover analysis. This design is an alternative to Poisson time series regression for studying the short-term adverse health effects of air pollution. The air pollutants examined included particulate matter (PM(10)), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), ozone (O(3)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), and carbon monoxide (CO). The largest observed effect, which was without statistical significance, was seen for NO(2) and CO levels on deaths due to respiratory diseases (ORs=1.013 and 1.014, respectively). The well established link between air pollution levels and daily mortality may not be as strong in cities in subtropical areas, although other factors such as differences in pollutant mix or the underlying health of the population may explain the lack of a strong association in this study. Further studies of this type in cities with varying climates and cultures are needed.     

Assessment of ambient air quality in Eskişehir, Turkey

This paper presents an assessment of air quality of the city Eski?ehir, located 230 km southwest to the capital of Turkey. Only five of the major air pollutants, most studied worldwide and available for the region, were considered for the assessment. Available sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), ozone (O(3)), and non-methane volatile organic carbons (NMVOCs) data from local emission inventory studies provided relative source contributions of the selected pollutants to the region. The contributions of these typical pollution parameters, selected for characterizing such an urban atmosphere, were compared with the data established for other cities in the nation and world countries. Additionally, regional ambient SO(2) and PM concentrations, determined by semi-automatic monitoring at two sites, were gathered from the National Ambient Air Monitoring Network (NAAMN). Regional data for ambient NO(2) (as a precursor of ozone as VOCs) and ozone concentrations, through the application of the passive sampling method, were provided by the still ongoing local air quality monitoring studies conducted at six different sites, as representatives of either the traffic-dense-, or coal/natural gas burning residential-, or industrial/rural-localities of the city. Passively sampled ozone data at a single rural site were also verified with the data from a continuous automatic ozone monitoring system located at that site. Effects of variations in seasonal-activities, newly established railway system, and switching to natural gas usage on the temporal changes of air quality were all considered for the assessment. Based on the comparisons with the national [AQCR (Air Quality Control Regulation). Ministry of Environment (MOE), Ankara. Official Newspaper 19269; 1986.] and a number of international [WHO (World Health Organization). Guidelines for Air Quality. Geneva; 2000. Downloaded in January 2006, website: http://www.who.int/peh/; EU (European Union). Council Directive 1999/30/EC relating to limit values for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead in ambient air. Of J Eur Communities L 163: 14-30; 29.6.1999; EU (European Union). Council Directive 2002/3/EC relating to ozone in ambient air. Of J Eur Communities. L 67: 14-30; 9.3.2002.; USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Downloaded in January 2006, website: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/] ambient air standards, among all the pollutants studied, only the annual average SO(2) concentration was found to exceed one specific limit value (EU limit for protection of the ecosystem). A part of the data (VOC/NO(x) ratio), for determining the effects of photochemical interactions, indicated that VOC-limited regime was prevailing throughout the city.     

Respiratory hospital admissions in young children living near metal smelters,pulp mills and oil refineries in two Canadian provinces

BackgroundIndustrial plants emit air pollutants like fine particles (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) that may affect the health of individuals living nearby.ObjectiveTo assess the effects of community exposure to air emissions of PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 from pulp mills, oil refineries, metal smelters, on respiratory hospital admissions in young children in Quebec (QC) and British Columbia (BC), Canada.MethodsWe assessed QC, BC and pooled associations between the following estimates of exposure and hospital admissions for asthma and bronchiolitis in children aged 2–4 years for the years 2002–2010: i) Crude emission exposures at the residential postal codes of children, calculated by multiplying estimated daily emissions of PM2.5, SO2, or NO2 from all nearby (< 7.5 km) pulp mills, oil refineries, metal smelters emitting yearly ≥ 50 t and their total emissions, by the percent of the day each postal code was downwind; ii) Daily levels of these pollutants at central ambient monitoring stations nearby the industries and the children's residences.ResultsSeventy-one major industries were selected between QC and BC, with a total of 2868 cases included in our analyses. More cases were exposed to emissions from major industries in QC than in BC (e.g. 2505 admissions near SO2 industrial emitters in QC vs 334 in BC), although air pollutant levels were similar. Odds ratios (ORs) for crude refinery and smelter emissions were positive in QC but more variable in BC. For example with PM2.5 in QC, ORs were 1.13 per 0.15 t/day (95% CI: 1.00–1.27) and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.99–1.07) for refinery and smelter emissions, respectively. Pooled results of QC and BC for crude total SO2 emissions from all sources indicated a 1% increase (0–3%) in odds of hospital admissions per 1.50 t/day increase in exposure. Associations with measured pollutant levels were only seen in BC, with SO2 and NO2.ConclusionHospital admissions for wheezing diseases in young children were associated with community exposure to industrial air pollutant emissions. Future work is needed to better assess the risk of exposure to complex mixture of air pollutants from multiple industrial sources.     

Estimation of age-related vulnerability to air pollution: assessment of respiratory health at local scale

This paper demonstrates association of short-term variation in pollution and health outcomes within the same geographical area for a typical urban setting in the northern part of the UK from time series analysis. It utilises publicly available datasets for regulated air pollutants (PM??, NO?, SO?, CO and O?), meteorology and respiratory hospital admissions (and mortality) between April 2002 and December 2005 to estimate the respiratory health effect of pollution exposure, mainly in the elderly. Our results show that PM?? and O? are positively associated with respiratory hospital admissions in the elderly, specifically in the age group 70-79. CO effects seem to be concentrated on the most elderly age group (80+) whereas NO? seems to have the opposite age-related effect, with lower effects on the more elderly.     

A review of traffic-related air pollution exposure assessment studies in the developing world

Exposure assessment studies in the developing world are important. Although recent years have seen an increasing number of traffic-related pollution exposure studies, exposure assessment data on this topic are still limited. Differences among measuring methods and a lack of strict quality control in carrying out exposure assessment make it difficult to generalize and compare findings between studies. In this article, exposure assessment studies carried out in the developing world on several traffic-related air pollutants are reviewed. These pollutants include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In addition, it discusses advantages and disadvantages of various monitoring methods (ambient fixed-site monitoring, microenvironment monitoring, and personal exposure assessment using portable samplers) for these pollutants in exposure assessment studies. Also included in this paper is a brief introduction of standards for these pollutants in ambient air or in occupational settings established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The review ends with a summary of the limitations and gaps in recent studies and suggestions for future research in the developing world.     

Evaluation of some air pollution indicators in Turkey

This article intends to shed a light on air quality in Turkey and compare air pollutant emissions on a national scale with that of the European countries. In order to estimate the quantities of Turkish emissions in the past and their future predictions, a national emission inventory was prepared with respect to five major pollutants consisting of particulate matter(PM), SOx, NOx, non-methane volatile organic compounds, and CO with 5-year intervals between 1985 and 2005. The results suggest that Turkey is a rather large emission source at the European scale, although emission indicators on unit area and per capita were shown to be somewhat smaller in magnitude. Levels of air pollution in some of the big cities in Turkey were also evaluated from available national monitoring data. These evaluations for the urban air qualities covered SO2 and PM parameters between 1986 and 1996, and results were compared with the present Turkish air quality limits, their probable revisions, WHO (Europe) guidelines and related EC directives. Results showed that the air quality limits were not met, especially during the winter periods in Turkish cities. Urban air pollutants characterizing the air in Turkish cities other than SO2 and PM, however, could not have been evaluated as these pollutants were not systematically monitored in these cities.     

贵阳市主城区空气质量指数时空分布特征

为了解贵阳市主城区空气质量指数的时间分布和空间分布特征，采用时间序列法和插值法统计分析了2013~2015年贵阳市9个空气自动监测点SO2、NO2、PM10、PM25、CO的监测数据。结果表明：2013~2015年期间，贵阳市主城区空气质量整体良好,优于Ⅱ级空气质量标准，IAQISO2、IAQINO2、IAQIPM10、IAQIPM25、IAQICO的年均值呈现降低趋势, 空气污染物得到一定的控制；季节变化和月变化分析表现出冬季空气质量最差，夏季最好的特征。春节半月ISO2、IAQINO2、IAQIPM10、IAQIPM25的均值好于冬季均值，反映了工业和交通污染源的主控作用。空间分布上，IAQISO2、IAQINO2、IAQIPM10、IAQIPM25、IAQICO呈现“市区高，郊区低”的分布特征，空气质量指数较高的区域集中在贵阳市主城区中部和东北部     

Using air pollution based community clusters to explore air pollution health effects in children

To study respiratory health effects of long-term exposure to ambient air pollutant mixture, we observed 7058 school children 5-16 years of age living in the four Chinese cities of Lanzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, and Guangzhou. These children were enrolled from elementary schools located in eight districts, one urban district and one suburban district in each of the above cities. Ambient levels of PM(2.5), PM(10-2.5), total suspended particles (TSP), SO(2), and NO(x) were measured in these districts from 1993 to 1996. Based on a cluster analysis of arithmetic mean concentrations of PM(2.5), PM(10-2.5), (TSP-PM(10)), SO(2), and NO(x), we classified these children into four ordinal categories of exposure to ambient air pollutant mixtures. We tested for exposure-response relationships using logistic regression models, controlling for relevant covariates. We observed monotonic, positive relationships of exposure to the pollutant mixture with prevalence rates of cough with phlegm and wheeze. Other outcomes were not associated with the exposure in a monotonic exposure-response pattern. Even so, odds ratios for cough, phlegm, bronchitis, and asthma in the higher exposure district clusters were all higher than in the lowest exposure district cluster. We found evidence that exposure to the pollutant mixtures had adverse effects on children living in the four Chinese cities.     

Comparative overview of indoor air quality in Antwerp, Belgium

This comprehensive study, a first in Belgium, aimed at characterizing the residential and school indoor air quality of subgroups that took part in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey and the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood [Masoli M, Fabian D, Holt S, Beasley R. Global Burden of Asthma, Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, University of Southampton; 2004.] questionnaire-based asthma and related illnesses studies. The principal aim was to perform a base-line study to assess the indoor air quality in Antwerp in terms of various gaseous and particulate pollutants. Secondly, it aimed to establish correlations between these pollutants investigated, the pollutant levels in the indoor and outdoor micro-environments, findings of the previous questionnaire-based studies and an epidemiological study which ran in conjunction with this study. Lastly, these results were compared and evaluated with current indoor and ambient guidelines in various countries This paper presents selected results on PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentrations and elemental C estimates as black smoke, as well as gaseous NO(2), SO(2), O(3) and BTEX concentrations of 18 residences and 27 schools. These are related to current guidelines of Flanders, Germany, Norway, China and Canada and evaluated with reference to selected similar studies. It was found that indoor sources such as tobacco smoking and carpets, the latter causing re-suspension of dust, are responsible for elevated indoor respirable particulate matter and place school children and residents at risk. Both PM2.5 and PM10 equalled or exceeded the current guidelines adopted by Flanders, noting that 12-h and 24-h PM2.5 were compared with an annual limit value. Indoor and ambient NO(2) concentrations in the school campaign were higher than the annual EU ambient norm. The other studied pollutant levels were below the current guidelines.     

The emission inventory of atmospheric industrial pollution sources of the five cities in Zhejiang Province

The amount of several air pollutants emitted in some cities including Hangzhou,Ningbo,Huzhou,Shaoxing and Jiaxing of Zhejiang Province is based on pollution source census data of Zhejiang Province in 2010.This paper focused on the release of air pollutants such as NO_(x2),SO_2,CO,PM2.5,PM10 and VOC,and calculated the total amount of those air pollutants.It analyzed air pollutant emission factors and found that the electricity and heat production industry released the largest amount of pollutants.     

Modeling indoor air pollution of outdoor origin in homes of SAPALDIA subjects in Switzerland

Given the shrinking spatial contrasts in outdoor air pollution in Switzerland and the trends toward tightly insulated buildings, the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA) needs to understand to what extent outdoor air pollution remains a determinant for residential indoor exposure. The objectives of this paper are to identify determining factors for indoor air pollution concentrations of particulate matter (PM), ultrafine particles in the size range from 15 to 300 nm, black smoke measured as light absorbance of PM (PM_absorbance) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and to develop predictive indoor models for SAPALDIA. Multivariable regression models were developed based on indoor and outdoor measurements among homes of selected SAPALDIA participants in three urban (Basel, Geneva, Lugano) and one rural region (Wald ZH) in Switzerland, various home characteristics and reported indoor sources such as cooking. Outdoor levels of air pollutants were important predictors for indoor air pollutants, except for the coarse particle fraction. The fractions of outdoor concentrations infiltrating indoors were between 30% and 66%, the highest one was observed for PM_absorbance. A modifying effect of open windows was found for NO₂ and the ultrafine particle number concentration. Cooking was associated with increased particle and NO₂ levels. This study shows that outdoor air pollution remains an important determinant of residential indoor air pollution in Switzerland.     

“2+26”城市治霾方案效果评估:以山东省为案例的研究

以京津冀大气污染传输通道“2+26”城市为对象的区域性雾霾专项治理已经开展两年有余。要判断“2+26”城市治霾方案的实施是否取得了显著成效需要通过科学的实证分析加以验证。采集山东省13个内陆城市2016—2018年每日空气质量指数(AQI)、六种单项污染物(PM 2.5、PM 10、SO 2、NO 2、CO、O 3)浓度以及气象条件等数据,以其中属于“2+26”城市的7城市作为实验组,其余6城市作为对照组,基于双重差分法,对“2+26”城市治霾方案在山东省相关城市的实施效果进行评估,试图分离方案实施所带来的环境效应。结果表明:①“2+26”城市治霾方案的实施总体上有效,对污染传输通道7城市空气质量指数(AQI)指标的降低发挥了显著作用。②“2+26”城市治霾方案对污染传输通道城市的PM 2.5、PM 10、CO浓度的降低有显著贡献,但对SO 2、NO 2和O 3指标的改善贡献并不明显。③对方案进行分时段动态效应分析发现,《京津冀及周边地区2017年大气污染防治工作方案》的发布并未对污染传输通道城市空气质量改善产生立竿见影的效果,而《京津冀及周边地区2017—2018年秋冬季大气污染综合治理攻坚行动方案》《京津冀及周边地区2018—2019年秋冬季大气污染综合治理攻坚行动方案》的落实和执行才是“2+26”城市治霾方案显著见效的保障。该研究在严格遵守双重差分法前提条件的同时,还通过了一系列稳健性检验确保评估结果的可靠性。     

南昌市环境空气污染时空变化特征及影响因素研究

选取2014~2017年南昌市不同时间尺度AQI及主要空气污染物数据，利用GIS技术、神经网络分析、后向轨迹模型及地统计分析方法，分析了南昌市环境空气污染时空变化特征及影响因素。结果表明，南昌市近年来空气质量总体变化不大，空气质量等级以良为主，占全年比例为57%~61%。但首要污染物变化较大，即PM2.5比例显著下降，NO2和O3比例显著上升，PM10变化不大。南昌市空气污染季节变化显著，冬春季空气质量较差，以PM10、PM2.5污染为主，夏季空气质量最好，以O3污染为主。空气污染周变化以周末及周一污染较重、周四污染最轻，说明南昌市空气污染除了与群众出行习惯有关，还存在其他影响因素。南昌市空气质量日变化呈双峰型（9:00~11:00和20:00~22:00），主要受上、下班高峰期带来的交通尾气影响。南昌市空气污染空间变化呈典型的“郊区-市区”分布，其中AQI、PM10、PM2.5、SO2、NO2、CO值均以市区较高、郊区较低，而O3的空间分布规律正好相反，这主要与城区NOx排放较多，O3易与其迅速反应而消耗有关。后向轨迹聚类分析结果表明，来自本地的短轨迹气团占比高，对PM2.5、PM10、NO2、O3的影响大。气象因素上，PM2.5、PM10、NO2受相对湿度影响较大，O3受温度影响较大。     

基于小波分析与Mann-Kendall法的上海市近12年空气质量变化

综合应用小波分析和Mann Kendall非参数检验方法,对上海市近12 a PM10、SO2和NO2逐日空气污染指数序列进行分析,揭示了空气污染变化的多尺度特征、变化趋势和突变特性,以深入了解上海市空气质量状况。结果表明：PM10、SO2和NO2污染序列呈现多尺度的变化特征,具有1 000 d和300 d左右的中、小时间尺度周期。在小尺度上,各序列具有300 d左右的主周期和30 d左右的次周期。空气污染具有“冬重夏轻”的特征,冬季和春季是污染比较严重的时段;2007年夏季以来,空气质量总体趋于好转。近12 a来各序列均呈显著的减少趋势;PM10序列突变开始于2006年7月3日前后,SO2于2010年3月21日前后,NO2则于2006年4月18日前后;突变后,各序列基本均呈显著的下降趋势。最后,提出了未来改善上海市空气质量的相关建议。     

Assessment of ambient air quality in Eskişehir, Turkey

This paper presents an assessment of air quality of the city Eskişehir, located 230 km southwest to the capital of Turkey. Only five of the major air pollutants, most studied worldwide and available for the region, were considered for the assessment. Available sulphur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and non-methane volatile organic carbons (NMVOCs) data from local emission inventory studies provided relative source contributions of the selected pollutants to the region.The contributions of these typical pollution parameters, selected for characterizing such an urban atmosphere, were compared with the data established for other cities in the nation and world countries. Additionally, regional ambient SO₂ and PM concentrations, determined by semi-automatic monitoring at two sites, were gathered from the National Ambient Air Monitoring Network (NAAMN). Regional data for ambient NO₂ (as a precursor of ozone as VOCs) and ozone concentrations, through the application of the passive sampling method, were provided by the still ongoing local air quality monitoring studies conducted at six different sites, as representatives of either the traffic-dense-, or coal/natural gas burning residential-, or industrial/rural-localities of the city. Passively sampled ozone data at a single rural site were also verified with the data from a continuous automatic ozone monitoring system located at that site. Effects of variations in seasonal-activities, newly established railway system, and switching to natural gas usage on the temporal changes of air quality were all considered for the assessment. Based on the comparisons with the national [AQCR (Air Quality Control Regulation). Ministry of Environment (MOE), Ankara. Official Newspaper 19269; 1986.] and a number of international [WHO (World Health Organization). Guidelines for Air Quality. Geneva; 2000. Downloaded in January 2006, website: http://www.who.int/peh/; EU (European Union). Council Directive 1999/30/EC relating to limit values for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead in ambient air. Of J Eur Communities L 163: 14–30; 29.6.1999; EU (European Union). Council Directive 2002/3/EC relating to ozone in ambient air. Of J Eur Communities. L 67: 14–30; 9.3.2002.; USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Downloaded in January 2006, website: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/] ambient air standards, among all the pollutants studied, only the annual average SO₂ concentration was found to exceed one specific limit value (EU limit for protection of the ecosystem). A part of the data (VOC/NO_x ratio), for determining the effects of photochemical interactions, indicated that VOC-limited regime was prevailing throughout the city.     

The emission inventory of atmospheric industrial pollution sources of the five cities in Zhejiang Province

The amount of several air pollutants emitted in some cities including Hangzhou, Ningbo, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Jiaxing of Zhejiang Province is based on pollution source census data of Zhejiang Province in 2010. This paper focused on the release of air pollutants such as NO_x, SO₂, CO, PM2.5, PM10 and VOC, and calculated the total amount of those air pollutants. It analyzed air pollutant emission factors and found that the electricity and heat production industry released the largest amount of pollutants.     

北京、上海两地2004和2005年大气污染特征对比分析

为了解北京、上海两市大气污染的变化及其影响因素之间的关系，根据2004、2005年大气质量监测数据，分析了北京、上海两地大气污染特征和两地主要大气污染物的变化规律。结果表明，2004、2005年北京市的PM10最大值是最小值的637倍，北京市的变化幅度较上海市的变化幅度大；2004、2005年北京市的SO2最大值是最小值的467倍，上海市的SO2最大值是最小值的131倍，上海市的SO2污染的因素变化幅度较小；两市的NO2浓度都较高，且季节变化不太明显；两市NO2浓度年平均值满足国家空气质量二级标准，但质量浓度都较高，这与两市的机动车尾气污染有关；两市SO2浓度年平均值除上海市2005年外均满足国家空气质量二级标准，上海市SO2污染严重与上海市消耗大量煤炭有关，北京市SO2污染物浓度年度变化剧烈与冬季取暖烧煤有关；两市可吸入颗粒物污染比较严重，北京市PM10浓度年平均值超过国家空气质量二级标准，上海市PM10浓度年平均值达到国家空气质量二级标准。总体上上海市的大气质量要好于北京市。两地大气主要污染物随时间的变化规律与两地的污染物来源、地理、气候等条件有关。     

Development of an aggregate Air Quality Index for an urban Mediterranean agglomeration: relation to potential health effects

It is very useful for the authorities and the people to have daily easy understandable information about the levels of air pollution and the proper measures to be taken for the protection of human health. In this paper we develop an aggregate Air Quality Index (AQI) based on the combined effects of five criteria pollutants (CO, SO2, NO2, O3 and PM10) taking into account the European standards. We evaluate it for each monitoring station and for the whole area of Athens, Greece, an area with serious air pollution problems. A comparison was made with a modified version of Environmental Protection Agency/USA (USEPA) maximum value AQI model adjusted for European conditions. Hourly data of air pollutants from 4 monitoring stations, available during 1983-1999, were analysed for the development of the proposed index. The analysis reveals the Athenian population exposure reaches high levels and during last years a gradual increase of days with unhealthy conditions was detected. The proposed aggregate model estimates more effectively the exposure of citizens comparing with the modified USEPA maximum value model, because counts the impact of all the pollutants measured. Towards the informing and protection of the citizens in an urban agglomeration this model advantages as a political and administrative tool for the design of abatement strategies and effective measures of intervention.     

城市化水平、工业化水平对空气质量的影响分析——基于湖北省16城市2005～2017年数据的时空模型

基于湖北省16城市2005~2017年数据，应用空间计量模型研究城市化水平、工业化水平对空气SO2、NO2、PM10含量的影响。结果显示，在城市化水平中，人均GDP对空气中SO2含量有显著负向影响，对NO2有显著正向影响，民用汽车的数量、公路里程对城市空气中SO2、NO2、PM10含量有显著正向影响，工业化水平对空气中SO2、NO2显著负向影响，对PM10含量有显著正向影响，人均绿地面积对空气中SO2的含量有显著负向影响，对NO2、PM10的影响不显著。为此，必须加快产业转型升级，做好产业发展规划；必须强化城市民用汽车尾气排放检测，加强城市配套园林建设；必须建立城市绿色发展联动机制，做好区域巡查监管。