Particulates and carbon monoxide pollution on production floor of steel recycling plant

For this study, particulates or particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) levels were monitored at different sections on the production floor of a scrap metal recycling factory. A Met‐One GT331 dust monitor and A Toxi‐Rae gas monitor were used to measure PM and CO concentrations, respectively. The 24‐hr averaging period concentrations of particulate matter having diameters of 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM_2.5), particulate matter having diameters of 10 microns or less in diameter (PM₁₀), and total suspended particulates (TSP) within the plant ranged between 8.3 and 50.4 μg/m³, 12.0 and 151.3 μg/m³, and 30.0 and 285.0 μg/m³, respectively, while the maximum 8‐hr concentration of CO within the plant was 20.5 parts per million (ppm). The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) limits for PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and CO were exceeded only in the area around the furnace. Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank statutory limit for TSP were also exceeded in the area around the furnace. Toxicity potentials (TP) of the investigated pollutants were greater than 1.0 around the furnace, indicating that work spaces in proximity to the furnace could expose workers to adverse health conditions.     

The impact of urban growth on regional air quality surrounding the Langat River Basin, Malaysia

Studies of air quality were carried out in the towns of Kajang, Nilai and Banting in the Langat River Basin, southern region of Kuala Lumpur to determine the status and trend of air quality. The determination of air quality was based on several parameters such as suspended solids with diameters less than 10???m (PM₁₀) and gaseous pollutants of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and carbon monoxide (CO). Primary concentration data of air pollutants were compiled through fieldwork studies and combined with secondary data obtained from the regular monitoring data as collected by Alam Sekitar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (ASMA) on behalf of Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) at their stations in Kajang and Nilai. Results showed that the average concentrations of PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, O_3, and CO at all sampling stations were still below the permissible values recommended by the Malaysian DOE. The level of gaseous pollutants of NO₂, O_3, and CO was recorded at statistically higher levels (p?<?0.05) than values recorded at the control station at Pangsun Recreational Area. These pollutants were suspected to have originated mainly from exhaust systems of motor vehicles. Data for the years 1996 to 2006 as obtained from ASMA showed long-term air quality trends of increasing O₃ and NO₂ concentrations in Kajang whilst concentrations of PM₁₀ recorded at both Kajang and Nilai stations were mostly expected coming from transboundary sources especially biomass burning and the development activities around the study areas.     

Quantifying the sources of ozone, fine particulate matter, and regional haze in the Southeastern United States

A detailed sensitivity analysis was conducted to quantify the contributions of various emission sources to ozone (O₃), fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and regional haze in the Southeastern United States. O₃ and particulate matter (PM) levels were estimated using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system and light extinction values were calculated from modeled PM concentrations. First, the base case was established using the emission projections for the year 2009. Then, in each model run, SO₂, primary carbon (PC), NH₃, NO_x or VOC emissions from a particular source category in a certain geographic area were reduced by 30% and the responses were determined by calculating the difference between the results of the reduced emission case and the base case.The sensitivity of summertime O₃ to VOC emissions is small in the Southeast and ground-level NO_x controls are generally more beneficial than elevated NO_x controls (per unit mass of emissions reduced). SO₂ emission reduction is the most beneficial control strategy in reducing summertime PM_2.5 levels and improving visibility in the Southeast and electric generating utilities are the single largest source of SO₂. Controlling PC emissions can be very effective locally, especially in winter. Reducing NH₃ emissions is an effective strategy to reduce wintertime ammonium nitrate (NO₃NH₄) levels and improve visibility; NO_x emissions reductions are not as effective. The results presented here will help the development of specific emission control strategies for future attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in the region.     

Environmental quality in India: Application of environmental Kuznets curve and Sustainable Human Development Index

This study explores the trend of selected air pollutants, carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen dioxide NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and particulate matter 10 microns in diameter (PM₁₀) in India. Environmental Kuznets curves (EKC), which show the association of the economy and pollution, are fitted for selected Indian states to understand whether EKC in India fits well with the inverted “U” shape. We observed that CO₂ and PM₁₀ are steadily increasing in India. The states of Kerala and Punjab follow the inverted “U” shape of EKC, while Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra may take decades to reduce pollutants. A new Sustainable Human Development Index calculated in this paper indicates a diverse picture of Indian states, especially in regard to environmental parameters. The government needs to implement stringent, state‐specific laws and regulations to assist in curbing air pollutants. The time has also come to represent the rankings of states in terms of an environmentally inclusive development index.     

柳州市2009-2014年空气污染变化

近年来,城市空气污染日益严重,已成为公众广泛关注的环境问题之一。柳州是中国西部的工业重镇、广西有名的工业城市,位列国家划定的113个大气污染防治重点城市之中,是广西第一个开展PM2.5监测的城市。本研究于2009—2014年连续6年对柳州市大气主要污染物SO2、NO2、PM10和PM2.5的浓度进行在线观测,获得了污染物的长期时间和空间分布特征。结果显示,SO2浓度呈逐年下降趋势,并于2011年达标之后显著下降,2014年相比2009年下降了50.0%;NO2浓度一直在低于标准以下波动(24.6~35.1μg/m3);PM10浓度呈逐年增长趋势,并从2011年开始超标,2014年相对于2009年增长了69.3%。各污染物浓度都具有显著的季节变化:冬季秋季春季夏季。SO2、NO2、PM10和PM2.5的浓度冬季相比夏季分别提高82.9%、56.3%、66.9%和133.6%。冬季SO2和秋冬季PM10超标,PM2.5除7月外全线超标。PM2.5/PM10的比值冬季也高于夏季,表明冬季更易富集细颗粒。各污染物浓度也表现出不同的空间分布。九中各污染物的浓度都最高,可能与其离柳州钢铁公司距离较近有关。SO2除九中外,其他站点均达标。NO2全部达标。PM10市监测站和九中超标。PM2.5所有站点超标严重。本研究结果表明,柳州市煤烟型污染得到有效控制,但颗粒物污染,尤其是细颗粒物污染日益严重。     

The direct influence of ship traffic on atmospheric PM2.5, PM10 and PAH in Venice

The direct influence of ship traffic on atmospheric levels of coarse and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀) and fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been estimated in the urban area of Venice. Data analysis has been performed on results collected at three sites over the summer, when ship traffic is at a maximum. Results indicate that monitoring of the PM daily concentrations is not sufficiently detailed for the evaluation of this contribution, even though it could be useful for specific markers such as PAHs. Therefore a new methodology, based on high temporal resolution measurements coupled with wind direction information and the database of ship passages of the Harbour Authority of Venice has been developed. The sampling sites were monitored with optical detectors (DustTrack^® and Mie pDR-1200) operating at a high temporal resolution (20s and 1s respectively) for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. PAH in the particulate and gas phases were recovered from quartz fibre filters and polyurethane foam plugs using pressurised solvent extraction, the extracts were then analysed by gas chromatography- high-resolution mass spectrometry. Our results shows that the direct contribution of ships traffic to PAHs in the gas phase is 10% while the contribution to PM_2.5 and to PM₁₀ is from 1% up to 8%.     

长沙市空气自动站周边区域大气污染物排放源清单

以长沙市空气自动站周边3 km为研究对象,基于统计年鉴和实地调查,获得了该地区2015年储存运输源、废弃物处理源、工艺过程源、化石燃料固定燃烧源、农业源、生物质燃烧源、扬尘源、移动源8个源类的活动水平数据。以大气污染物排放源清单编制技术指南为依据,建立了2015年长沙市空气自动站周边3 km区域NH_3、NO_x、PM_(10)、PM_(2.5)、SO_2、VOCs等6项污染物的源排放清单。结果表明,2015年长沙空气自动站周边3 km内,8类大气污染源排放的NH_3、NO_x、PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、SO_2、VOCs总量分别为53.65t、4 899.35t、1 846.09t、6 257.75t、989.49t、4 383.31t。NH_3、NO_x、PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、SO_2、VOCs排放量最大的源分别是农业源、移动源、扬尘源、扬尘源、化石燃料固定燃烧源和移动源,贡献率分别为98.45%、84.24%、60.82%、85.90%、97.33%、49.88%。优化道路交通、减少燃煤、减少建筑工地扬尘排放可促进长沙市空气自动站周边空气质量改善。     

基于后向轨迹模式对北京市PM2.5来源的探讨

近年来中国经历了数次大范围雾霾天气，北京等多个城市更是遭遇连续雾霾。造成雾霾天气的主要污染物PM_2.5又称细颗粒物。为了进一步治理北京雾霾，为制定政策提供依据，须了解北京地区PM_2.5的来源。本文基于后向轨迹模式并结合PM_2.5浓度计算了2015年9月1日0：00至2016年8月31日23：00以北京为起始点，向后推算48小时的轨迹，并结合轨迹聚类分析法、潜在源贡献因子法（PSCF）、浓度权重轨迹分析法（CWT）等，探讨北京地区PM_2.5的来源。结果表明：模拟的后向轨迹经过聚类分析可分为6类，其中来自内蒙古西部的轨迹最多，来自西北、北西北方向的轨迹次之，来自西西北方向且在京津冀地区停留一段时间的轨迹占比最小，来自河北、山东、河南的交接地区及河北的沿海地区的轨迹占比也较小。其中来自内蒙古西部地区及河北、山东、河南交界地区的两类轨迹对北京的空气质量有较大的影响，是北京PM_2.5污染的主要潜在源区；来自北西北方向及河北的沿海地区两类轨迹的气团最为清洁，为北京带来良好的天气；来自西北及西西北方向的部分轨迹对应的PM_2.5浓度严重超标，说明来自此方向的气团对北京的空气质量也有一定的影响。     

基于产业链分析的长三角地区CO2与大气污染物排放研究

长三角地区作为我国大气污染较为严重区域之一,如何在保持经济增长的同时减少CO₂与大气污染物的排放已成为一个重要挑战。本研究基于2007年与2012年长三角区域间投入产出表,定量分析了长三角地区省市间贸易引致的二氧化碳和大气污染物排放转移特征和变化趋势。同时,运用产业关联系数法,从前向关联与后向关联双重视角分析了长三角地区减缓CO₂和大气污染物排放的关键行业。研究结果表明,长三角的SO₂、PM_2.5排放总量表现为消费端大于生产端,CO₂、NO_x排放总量表现为生产端大于消费端。安徽省总体呈现为长三角地区贸易的SO₂、NO_x与PM_2.5排放净调出地,而上海与浙江表现为多数污染物排放净调入地。CO₂与大气污染物协同前向减排的关键行业为江苏省、浙江省和安徽省的电力、热力的生产和供应业,安徽省的煤炭开采和洗选业等,可以通过生产端技术革新和能源结构优化来促进减排;CO₂与大气污染物后向协同减排的关键行业为江苏省、浙江省和安徽省的建筑业等,对于这些行业,调整消费结构是有效的减排措施。为更好地制定长三角地区减排与污染防治政策,应当综合考虑行业减排、协同减排等,以确保经济持续增长的同时达到减排目标。     

深圳大气污染特征模拟及环境容量估算

本文根据深圳市8 个监测站点2013 年的逐日PM₁₀ 和PM_2.5 浓度监测数据、气象数据,统计风向、风速、稳定度联合频率等,利用污染物在大气中输送扩散模式,由实测的浓度值反推出污染物的产生量或排放量的方法,重点分析龙华新区PM₁₀ 和PM_2.5 的污染特征,并依据环境目标值,估算该区域剩余环境容量。研究结果表明,龙华新区全年盛行东风、南风,其风频分别为16.7%、13.2%,风速约为1.6m/s,PM₁₀、PM_2.5 浓度均呈现出季节性变化,秋、冬季浓度值较高,尤其在10 月到次年1 月份,其排放强度主要受本地污染源的影响。除此以外,其西、北部的污染源对其污染物浓度有一定的影响。新区PM₁₀ 和PM_2.5 的剩余环境容量均呈现负值,尤其以PM_2.5 最为突出,须大力加强减排控制,以达到环境目标值     

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the elemental profile of PM10 present in the ambient aerosol of an educational institute in Kolkata,India

Reduction in air pollution level was prime observation during COVID-19 lockdown globally. Here, the study was conducted to assess the impact of lockdown on the elemental profile of PM₁₀ in ambient aerosol to quantify the elemental variation. To quantify the variation, phase-wise sampling of air pollutants was carried out using the gravimetric method for PM₁₀, while NO₂ and SO₂ were estimated through the chemiluminescence and fluorescent spectrometric method respectively. The elemental constituents of PM₁₀ were carried out using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer and their source apportionment was carried out using the Positive Matrix Factorization model. The results showed that PM₁₀, NO₂ and SO₂ reduced by 86.97%, 83.38%, and 88.60% respectively during the lockdown sampling phase. The highest mean elemental concentration reduction was found in Mn (97.47%) during the lockdown. The inter-correlation among the pollutants exhibited a significant association indicating that they originate from the same source. The metals like Mn and Cu were found at a higher concentration during the lockdown phase corresponding to vehicular emissions. The comparative analysis of the elemental profile of PM₁₀ concluded that the lockdown effectuated in reduction of the majority of elements present in an aerosol enveloping metropolitan like Kolkata.     

Analysis of Roadside Inhalable Particulate Matter (PM10) in Major Korean Cities

A data analysis of three major Korean cities was conducted to assess roadside inhalable particulate matter 10 μm or smaller in aerodynamic diameter (PM₁₀), including temporal and meteorological variations, over a recent period of 4 to 6 years. The yearly roadside PM₁₀ concentrations presented a well-defined increasing trend or no trend depending on the roadside monitoring station. Most mean values exceeded or approximated the Korean standard of 70 μg/m³ per year for PM₁₀. A representative roadside diurnal trend was characterized by a distinct morning maximum. In most cases, the Sunday roadside concentrations were similar to or somewhat lower than the weekday concentrations, and the PM₁₀ concentrations presented a well-defined seasonal variation, with the maximum concentration in March. The monthly maximum concentrations observed in March were most likely attributable to Asian dust storms. In two metropolitan cities (Seoul and Busan), the frequency of days with roadside PM₁₀ concentrations exceeding the standard of 150μg/m³ per 24 h was much lower for the roadside monitoring stations than for the residential monitoring station, whereas in the third city (Daegu), this result was reversed. Interestingly, the average maximum concentrations observed for the roadside sites in Seoul and Busan during March were higher than those for the residential sites, suggesting that the roadside concentrations responded more to the dust storms than the residential areas. The relationship between the pollutant concentrations and five important meteorological parameters (solar radiation, wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation) showed that the number and type of meteorological variables included in the equations varied according to the monitoring station or season. Finally, the current results confirmed that attention should be given to the PM₁₀ exposure of residents living near roadways.     

空气污染物的时空演化及社会经济驱动因素研究——以长江三角洲地区为例

本文以2006—2015年长江三角洲城市群为研究对象,分析该地区不同部门因能源消费而产生的典型污染物排放量,然后利用LMDI模型,对空气污染进行社会经济驱动因素分析。结果表明:该地区CO_2、SO_2、PM_(2.5)与PM_(10)等空气污染物排放量均呈现先快速增长后缓慢减少的趋势,排放的峰值多出现在了2013年,而NO_x则一直保持增长的趋势。其中,电力与工业部门是空气污染物的主要排放源,但对排放量贡献呈减少趋势,生活部门与交通部门污染物排放量则逐步增长,尤其是对PM_(2.5)与PM_(10)排放量的贡献不可忽视。人口与经济增长对污染物排放量起到了正向拉动作用,经济因素的驱动作用最为明显,其效应值呈现先小幅增加后大幅下降的趋势,能源效率与能源结构有抑制作用,其对污染物排放的效应值仅次于经济因素,而能源结构变化的效应很小。     

Qualitative assessment on premature human mortality due to the emission of fine particulate matter from the Matarbari coal power plant

This study reports the probability of increased mortality of people within the political border of Bangladesh due to the emission of fine particulate matter with diameters of 2.5 microns or less (PM_2.5) from the Matarbari coal power plant (MCPP). A Gaussian plume dispersion model has been used for this estimation. The PM_2.5 emission rate data are unavailable as the construction of MCPP is still in its initial stage; therefore, the anticipated PM_2.5 emission rate has been estimated based on data from a number of coal‐fired power plants in India and China. To make this study more meaningful, two different emission rates have been considered representing the best‐case and worst‐case scenarios. In both cases, the intake fraction has been found to be 0.12×10^?2, and the value of relative risk varies between 1.134 and 1.374, respectively. Finally, it is estimated that approximately 11.5 million people inside Bangladesh will be exposed to the PM_2.5 emission from MCPP, and between 7,667 and 17,675 people will experience premature death every year.     

京津冀地区重点耗煤行业大气污染物排放清单研究

本研究通过京津冀地区各行业的年度煤炭消费量确定火电行业、钢铁行业和焦化行业为重点耗煤行业,以在线监测数据、污染源调查(现场调研、环评、验收)数据、排放因子数据为基础,自下而上建立了2013年京津冀地区重点耗煤行业大气污染物排放清单,分析研究了SO_2、NO_x和PM_(10)的排放量与污染贡献分布情况,掌握了京津冀地区重点耗煤行业大气污染物排放现状,为大气污染物减排提供数据基础。研究表明,2013年京津冀火电、钢铁焦化行业共排放SO_2 72.35万t、NO_x 131.99万t、PM_(10) 30.36万t。     

Assessing the current practice and policy with recommendations for emission control strategy for coal‐fired thermal power plants under Indian regulatory framework emphasizing the roles of R&D

On December 7, 2015, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India (GoI), promulgated stack emission standards for sulfur dioxide (SO₂), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), and mercury (Hg) from coal‐fired thermal power plants (TPPs). These standards were promulgated in addition to tightening the emission standard for particulate matter. Thus far, the GoI and a non‐governmental organization (NGO) have recommended the use of limestone‐based flue‐gas desulfurization (FGD) technology for removing only SO₂ emissions, which would then require the application of additional technologies to remove the other regulated pollutants. A single technology, such as the Multi‐pollutants Control Technology (MPCT), which was recently developed elsewhere in the world and can remove all of the pollutants from the TPP, could be more economical than introducing separate technologies for the removal of each pollutant. Furthermore, unlike the limestone‐based FGD technology, which generates carbon dioxide (CO₂) during the desulfurization process, the MPCT does not increase power plant CO₂ emissions. Water consumption is also lower in MPCT than with the limestone‐based FGD technology. Thus, MPCT offers a lower carbon footprint as well as a lower water footprint than the limestone‐based FGD technology in accordance with the United Nations Environmental Programme's Sustainable Development Goals. In light of these observations, this article aims to assess current practices and policies and offers policy recommendations for Indian TPPs with the goal of providing a cogent technological solution that also strengthens the Decision Support System for the holistic protection of the Indian environment.     

Impacts on air pollution in urban areas

Environmental management involves controlling various forms of pollution to levels that do not pose a threat to the health of the people and the environment in general. This paper presents a framework to analyze sources of local air pollution in cities. Using an OLS model, an investigation is performed of the relationship among the concentrations of air pollutants [more precisely, concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), dust, nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon oxide (CO) and ozone (O₃)], economic activities, and meteorology. Time series analysis leads to a model, that explains a high degree of the variance in the air pollution data. The model is applied to daily time series from three measurement stations in innsbruck, Austria. Estimation results of the model generally fit with the expected relations. Space heating influences SO₂, dust, and NO, while NO₂ levels are primarily affected by traffic. These results also indicate interdependent relations among the pollutants NO, NO₂, O₃, and CO; O₃ levels depend on temperature and sunshine.     

中国煤炭消费对PM2.5污染的影响研究

国务院颁布的《大气污染防治行动计划》明确提出制定国家煤炭消费总量中长期控制目标,到2017年,煤炭占能源消费总量比重降低到65%以下,然而煤炭消费对PM_(2.5)污染的贡献到底多大,这是当前亟待研究的科学问题。为定量分析煤炭消费对我国PM_(2.5)污染的影响,本研究首先计算了2012年煤炭消费产生的大气污染物排量,然后利用CAMx空气质量模型,分别采用组分分析法和情景模拟法两种方法研究了煤炭消费对全国PM_(2.5)污染的影响。组分分析法研究表明,煤炭消费对全国PM_(2.5)年均浓度的贡献率约为61%,其中煤炭直接燃烧、煤炭相关行业的贡献率分别约为37%、24%;情景模拟法研究表明,煤炭消费对全国PM_(2.5)年均浓度的贡献率约为56%。因此,我国由于煤炭消费对全国PM_(2.5)年均浓度的贡献率为56%~61%。     

Is Democracy Good for the Environment?

This paper presents empirical evidence to support the existence of a relationship between democracy and one aspect of environmental quality, urban air pollution. The relationship between environmental quality and democracy is explored empirically using a regression analysis of urban air concentrations of three pollutants, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and smoke, and two measures of democracy, the Freedom House Index and Polity III. The results suggest a significant and robust negative linear relationship between these pollutant concentrations and democracy level: the higher the level of democracy, the lower the ambient pollution level.     

The Use of a Simple Air Quality Index in the Helsinki Area, Finland

2 (1 and 24 h), SO₂ (1 and 24 h), O₃ (1 h) and PM₁₀ (24 h). The AQI is linked to the new air quality guidelines in Finland. The AQI is based on acute health effects, but long-term effects on nature and materials are also taken into consideration. Subindices are calculated hourly for all pollutants and for a given hour the highest subindex becomes the AQI. AQI values are currently calculated for the center of Helsinki and for typical suburban areas.