Risk-Based Prioritization of Air Pollution Monitoring Using Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation Technique

Air pollution monitoring programs aim to monitor pollutants and their probable adverse effects at various locations over concerned area. Either sensitivity of receptors/location or concentration of pollutants is used for prioritizing the monitoring locations. The exposure-based approach prioritizes the monitoring locations based on population density and/or location sensitivity. The hazard-based approach prioritizes the monitoring locations using intensity (concentrations) of air pollutants at various locations. Exposure and hazard-based approaches focus on frequency (probability of occurrence) and potential hazard (consequence of damage), respectively. Adverse effects should be measured only if receptors are exposed to these air pollutants. The existing methods of monitoring location prioritization do not consider both factors (hazard and exposure) at a time. Towards this, a risk-based approach has been proposed which combines both factors: exposure frequency (probability of occurrence/exposure) and potential hazard (consequence).This paper discusses the use of fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique in risk computation and prioritization of air pollution monitoring locations. To demonstrate the application, common air pollutants like CO, NO_x, PM₁₀ and SO_x are used as hazard parameters. Fuzzy evaluation matrices for hazard parameters are established for different locations in the area. Similarly, fuzzy evaluation matrices for exposure parameters: population density, location and population sensitivity are also developed. Subsequently, fuzzy risk is determined at these locations using fuzzy compositional rules. Finally, these locations are prioritized based on defuzzified risk (crisp value of risk, defined as risk score) and the five most important monitoring locations are identified (out of 35 potential locations). These locations differ from the existing monitoring locations.     

Air Pollution and Heat Exposure Study in the Workplace in a Glass Manufacturing Unit in India

Air pollution in the workplace environment due to industrial operation have been found to cause serious occupational health hazard. Similarly, heat stress is still most neglected occupational hazard in the tropical and subtropical countries like India. The hot climate augments the heat exposure close to sources like furnaces. In this study an attempt is made to assess air pollution and heat exposure levels to workers in the workplace environment in glass manufacturing unit located in the State of Gujarat, India. Samples for workplace air quality were collected for SPM, SO₂, NO₂ and CO₂ at eight locations. Results of workplace air quality showed 8-hourly average concentrations of SPM: 165–9118 μg/m³, SO₂: 6–9 μg/m³ and NO₂: 5–42 μg/m³, which were below the threshold limit values of workplace environment. The level of CO₂ in workplace air of the plant was found to be in the range 827–2886 μg/m³, which was below TLV but much higher than the normal concentration for CO₂ in the air (585 mg/m³). Indoor heat exposure was studied near the furnace and at various locations in an industrial complex for glass manufacturing. The heat exposure parameters including the air temperature, the wet bulb temperature, and the globe parameters were measured. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), an indicator of heat, exceeded ACGIH TLVs limits most of the time at all the locations in workplace areas. The recommended duration of work and rest have also been estimated.     

深圳市几种空气污染物浓度日变化特征分析

通过对深圳市2002年8月至2003年8月五种空气污染物浓度日变化特征、相互关系及不同天气条件下的变化,与人们活动的关系等进行分析,试图找出深圳空气污染的主要成因及变化规律,为环境规划决策提供科学依据。     

焦作市区大气污染状况与防治措施

根据“九五”期间焦作市区的大气污染监测资料，对市区大气污染状况进行了分析和评价，并对其成因进行了分析，提出了一些具体的防治措施。     

空气细颗粒物(PM2.5)污染特征及其毒性机制的研究进展

细颗粒物(PM2.5)是指空气动力学直径≤2.5μm的颗粒物,其表面吸附大量的有毒有害物质,并可通过呼吸沉积在肺泡,甚至可通过肺换气到达其他器官.由于细颗粒物的重要性,美国EPA已经于1997年颁布了细颗粒物的空气质量标准,年均值为0.015mg/m3,日均值为0.065mg/m3,然而我国至今仍未制定细颗粒物空气质量标准.颗粒物上吸附的化学组分主要可分成自然来源及燃煤或燃油等人为污染来源两大类,特别是来自工业性和居住区燃煤及汽车燃油尾气.空气细颗粒物污染表现为形态各异、成分复杂等特征.细颗粒物有明显的毒性作用,可引起机体呼吸系统、免疫系统等较为广泛的损害.细颗粒物与心肺疾病密切相关,如增加入院率、急诊次数、呼吸疾病及症状增加、肺功能下降,甚至于过早死亡.简要概述了细颗粒物的污染特征及其毒性机制研究进展.     

B-P网络应用于地下水水质监测点优选

以地下水水质评价分级标准作为训练样本,构造B-P网络模型对其进行训练,用训练好的B-P网络对某地的地下水水质监测点进行评判、优选。并与其它方法的结果进行比较,结果表明,B-P网络用于环境测点优选不仅原理直观,而且具有较好的客观性和实用性。     

微波高压络合消解石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法测定环境空气中锑

用有机滤膜采集空气中颗粒物样品,用微波高压络合消解后制成样品溶液。用石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法可确定样品溶液中锑的浓度。该方法具有对有机滤膜和样品消解完全,省时,无损失,灵敏度高,准确度、精密度好等特点。     

Preliminary air pollution monitoring in San Miguel, Buenos Aires

Passive diffusion samplers were employed in San Miguel(Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area) for a preliminary airpollution monitoring. The highest loads were observedin downtown, compared with an urban background site.Total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) varied from0.257 to 0.033 mg cm^-2 month^-1; dust was examinedfor particle nature and size distribution. A similartrend was observed for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) andTSPM spatial distribution, suggesting that traffic isthe major pollution source. Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)values were low and rather homogeneous. Levels for theinvestigated pollutants are below EPA's guide linevalues. Geographic (flat area, near to Rio de LaPlata) and climatologic factors (rainfalls andvariable wind directions) contribute to disperse pollutants.     

Application of intrawell testing of RCRA groundwater monitoring data when no upgradient well exists

A statistical quality control approachto detect changes in groundwater quality from aregulated waste unit is described. The approachapplies the combined Shewhart-CUSUM control chartmethodology for intrawell comparison of analyteconcentrations over time and does not require anupgradient well. A case study from the U.S.Department of Energy's Hanford Site is used forillustration purposes. This method is broadlyapplicable in groundwater monitoring programs wherethere is no clearly defined upgradient location, thegroundwater flow rate is exceptionally slow, or wherea high degree of spatial variability exists inparameter concentrations. This study also indicatesthat the use of the Data Quality Objectives (DQO)process can assist in designing an efficient andcost-effective groundwater monitoring plan to achievethe optimum goal of both low false positive and lowfalse negative rates (high power).     

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network Design for Assessing Human Health Impacts from Exposures to Airborne Contaminants

Existing methods of establishing ambientair quality monitoring networks typically evaluateonly parameters related to ambient concentrations ofthe contaminant(s) of interest such as emissionsource characteristics, atmospheric transport anddispersion, secondary reactions, depositioncharacteristics, and local topography. However,adverse health risks from exposures to airbornecontaminants are a function of the contaminant andthe anatomic and physiologic characteristics of theexposed population. Thus, ambient air qualitymonitoring networks designed for the protection ofpublic health or for epidemiological studiesevaluating adverse health impacts from exposures toambient air contaminants should account for bothcontaminant characteristics and human healthparameters. A methodology has been establishedwhich optimizes ambient air quality monitoringnetworks for assessments of adverse human healthimpacts from exposures to airborne contaminants byincorporating human health risk assessmenttechniques. The use of risk assessment techniquesas the basis for designing ambient air qualitymonitoring networks will help to target limitedfinancial and human resources to evaluate humanhealth risks from exposures to airbornecontaminants.