Ambient air quality standards in China

China recently announced ambient air quality standards. This article describes the standards and compares them with standards that exist in the Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, and the United States. An unusual feature of the Chinese standards is the establishment of different classes of standards, applicable in different types of areas. The present status of air pollution in several Chinese cities is examined. Data on the levels of suspended particulates, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide in several Chinese cities are presented. Some of the difficulties involved in implementing the new standards are discussed.Work undertaken while at the Environment and Policy Institute, East-West Center, and School of Public Health, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.     

博罗县环境空气质量变化趋势浅析

本文以博罗县2005—2011年间的环境空气监测数据为依据,采用空气污染综合指数法评价大气环境质量,并运用Spearman秩相关系数预测未来发展趋势。结果表明：博罗县环境空气质量为优,主要污染物为二氧化氮,年日平均浓度呈上升趋势,不显著。     

Assessing the ecosystem service of air pollutant removal by urban trees in Guangzhou (China)

In Chinese cities, air pollution has become a serious and aggravating environmental problem undermining the sustainability of urban ecosystems and the quality of urban life. Besides technical solutions to abate air pollution, urban vegetation is increasingly recognized as an alternative ameliorative method by removing some pollutants mainly through dry deposition process. This paper assesses the capability and monetary value of this ecosystem service in Guangzhou city in South China. The results indicated an annual removal of SO(2), NO(2) and total suspended particulates at about 312.03Mg, and the benefits were valued at RMB90.19 thousand (US$1.00=RMB8.26). More removal was realized by recreational land use due to a higher tree cover. Higher concentration of pollutants in the dry winter months induced more removal. The lower cost of pollution abatement in China generated a relatively subdued monetary value of this environmental benefit in comparison with developed countries. Younger districts with more extensive urban trees stripped more pollutants from the air, and this capacity was anticipated to increase further as their trees gradually reach final dimensions and establish a greater tree cover. Tree cover and pollutant concentration constitute the main factors in pollutant removal by urban trees. The efficiency of atmospheric cleansing by trees in congested Chinese cities could be improved by planting more trees other than shrubs or grass, diversifying species composition and biomass structure, and providing sound green space management. The implications for greenery design were discussed with a view to maximizing this ecosystem service in Chinese cities and other developing metropolises.     

Air pollution caused by opencast mining and its abatement measures in India.

Opencast mining dominates coal production in India. A survey was conducted to evaluate its local atmospheric impact. Emissions data were utilised to compute dust generation due to different mining activities. Work zone air quality, ambient air quality and seasonal variations are described revealing high pollution potential due to suspended particulate matter (SPM) and consequent impact on human health. Air pollution control measures involve planning and implementing a series of preventive and suppressive measures in addition to dust extraction systems. Different abatement measures are enumerated. Pollution control by trees, the tolerance of trees to different air pollutants and plant species useful for controlling pollution are also discussed. There is a need for wider application of dust control chemicals on haul roads. Sustainable management of pollution can be achieved by the proper implementation of suggested abatement measures.     

南充市"九五"期间大气中总悬浮颗粒物污染现状及防治对策

本文根据南充市1996－2000年环境空气质量监测结果，分析和评价了南充市大气中总悬浮颗粒物（TSP）的污染特征，变化规律及成因，提出了防治南充市大气中TSP污染的措施。     

A值法研究大气总量控制的环境质量达标保证率

在总量控制区用A值法实行总量控制后，总量控制区在符合污染物年允许排放总量限值时，污染物的日平均浓度和小时平均浓度不一定能达到国家或地区大气环境质量标准。为了反映总量控制区环境质量达标情况，本文提出了A值法研究大气总量控制的环境质量达标保证率的概念，通过总量控制A值法的基本原理，给出小时／日环境质量达标保征率的量化公式，经过分析得到；环境质量达标保证率与污染物种类有关，同一污染物的保证率与A值的年分布情况密切相关。同时利用长江下游某地的2000年气象资料分析该地区A值的变化趋势，求得该地区SO2和N02的小时保征率分别为97．4％、90.2％，日保征率分别为90.2％、79．5％。     

Air pollution due to coal washery projects and its abatement measures

The demand for washed coal in India has led to the planning of washeries. The sources of air pollution in washeries are described is this paper. A number of new washeries are going to be installed within the vicinity of Jharia Coalfield in eastern India to fulfill the demand for washed coal. Air pollution monitoring was conducted at four coal washeries of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. (BCCL). Methods adopted for selection of monitoring stations and sampling and analysis of ambient air quality are discussed. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations in an industrial area, a residential area, and a sensitive area such as a hospital were found to be high and to exceed the limit specified by the Indian Pollution Control Board. NO_x and SO₂ concentrations in some areas were also found to exceed the specified limits. A high percentage of respirable dust in SPM indicates a health hazard. Benzene-soluble material was found to be 40%, which can be fatal to human health. Suppression measures are discussed for dust, and control measures for air pollution in coal washeries are proposed.     

Comparative analysis of air pollution emissions by electric utilities: Public policy implications

One of the objectives of US environmental regulations was to reduce industrial air pollution emissions, especially from the electric utility industry, the major industrial air polluter. In this study, a comparative analysis of air pollution emissions from fossil-fuel-burning electric utility plants is conducted. The analysis focuses on a 12-yr period from 1975 to 1987 for three air pollutants: particulates, surfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. The results indicate that particulate emissions have been significantly reduced but that sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are still major problems for a number of plants. Furthermore, the disparity in the performance by plants indicates that by using current technology, the industry as a whole could greatly reduce these emissions. These results have policy implication for future environmental legislation.     

西宁市环境空气中TSP和PM10来源解析研究

在西宁市7个采样点分别采集了环境空气中的总悬浮颗粒物(TSP)和可吸入颗粒物(PM10),用化学质量平衡(CMB)受体模型和二重源解析技术解析了TSP和PM10的来源。结果表明:扬尘、煤烟尘和土壤风沙尘是造成该市TSP和PM10污染的主要源类。扬尘是造成该市颗粒物污染的首要因素,控制城市扬尘污染是城市环境空气颗粒物达标的关键。     

An Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Various Ozone Air Quality Standards for Protecting Trees

We demonstrate an approach for evaluating the level of protection attained using a variety of forms and levels of past, current, and proposed Air Quality Standards (AQSs). The U.S. Clean Air Act requires the establishment of ambient air quality standards to protect health and public welfare. However, determination of attainment of these standards is based on ambient pollutant concentrations rather than prevention of adverse effects. To determine if a given AQS protected against adverse effects on vegetation, hourly ozone concentrations were adjusted to create exposure levels that “just attain” a given standard. These exposures were used in combination with a physiologically-based tree growth model to account for the interactions of climate and ozone. In the evaluation, we used ozone concentrations from two 6-year time periods from the San Bernardino Mountains in California. There were clear differences in the level of vegetation protection achieved with the various AQSs. Based on modeled plant growth, the most effective standards were the California 8-hr average maximum of 70 ppb and a seasonal, cumulative, concentration-weighted index (SUM06), which if attained, resulted in annual growth reductions of 1% or less. Least effective was the 1-hr maximum of 120 ppb which resulted in a 7% annual reduction. We conclude that combining climate, exposure scenarios, and a process-based plant growth simulator was a useful approach for evaluating effectiveness of current or proposed air quality standards, or evaluating the form and/or level of a standard based on preventing adverse growth effects.     

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.     

北京市大气污染物排放现状分析及治理对策研究

通过对北京市2000—2004年间大气污染物排放情况的考察和研究,着重分析了二氧化硫等大气污染物的排放现状以及大气污染物排放强度指标变化的原因并与国内主要城市及美国大气污染物排放指标进行了对比。结果表明,北京市大气污染物强度在国内处于较低水平,但与发达国家相比,仍有相当的差距,并提出了治理大气污染的对策。     

Estimates of health benefits due to reductions in ambient NO2 levels

A method is presented here by which the actual numbers of individuals in the U.S. population who would be expected to suffer respiratory illness as a result of exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations in excess of the Federally-designated ambient air quality standard can be estimated. At the same time we have attempted to quantify how these adverse health effects would be alleviated by various degrees of reductions in current ambient concentrations. In addition, the health benefit expected to be derived by various NO_x emission control strategies will be examined utilizing the health benefit estimation method presented.It is estimated that there were approximately 33.2×10⁶ excess cases of respiratory illnesses in the U.S. in 1973 associated with ambient NO₂ concentrations in excess of the national ambient standard. A reduction of approximately 50 to 60 percent below 1973 NO₂ levels is needed to essentially eliminate excess respiratory illness associated with ambient NO₂ concentration.     

A two-stage inexact joint-probabilistic programming method for air quality management under uncertainty

A two-stage inexact joint-probabilistic programming (TIJP) method is developed for planning a regional air quality management system with multiple pollutants and multiple sources. The TIJP method incorporates the techniques of two-stage stochastic programming, joint-probabilistic constraint programming and interval mathematical programming, where uncertainties expressed as probability distributions and interval values can be addressed. Moreover, it can not only examine the risk of violating joint-probability constraints, but also account for economic penalties as corrective measures against any infeasibility. The developed TIJP method is applied to a case study of a regional air pollution control problem, where the air quality index (AQI) is introduced for evaluation of the integrated air quality management system associated with multiple pollutants. The joint-probability exists in the environmental constraints for AQI, such that individual probabilistic constraints for each pollutant can be efficiently incorporated within the TIJP model. The results indicate that useful solutions for air quality management practices have been generated; they can help decision makers to identify desired pollution abatement strategies with minimized system cost and maximized environmental efficiency.     

Blowing Smoke in Yellowstone: Air Quality Impacts of Oversnow Motorized Recreation in the Park

Snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park has been shown to impact air quality, with implications for the safety and welfare of Park staff and other Park resource values. Localized impacts have been documented at several high-use sites in the Park, but the broader spatial variability of snowmobile emissions and air quality was not understood. Measurements of 87 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were made for ambient air sampled across the Park and West Yellowstone, Montana, during 2 days of the 2002–2003 winter use season, 1 year before the implementation of a new snowmobile policy. The data were compared with similar data from pristine West Coast sites at similar latitudes. Backward trajectories of local air masses, alkyl nitrate-parent alkane ratios, and atmospheric soundings were used to identify the VOC sources and assess their impact. Different oversnow vehicle types used in the Park were sampled to determine their relative influence on air mass pollutant composition. VOCs were of local origin and demonstrated strong spatiotemporal variability that is primarily influenced by levels of snowmobile traffic on given road segments at different times of day. High levels of snowmobile traffic in and around West Yellowstone produced consistently high levels of benzene, toluene, and carbon monoxide.     

Particulates pollution management and economic analysis of small rural enterprises in mountain areas: A case study of Wenquan town in China

At present, many rural enterprises in China's mountainous areas are developing rapidly, and due to poor planning and improper management, in an uncontrolled manner. These small enterprises are making atmospheric pollution far more serious and more difficult to control than before. Thus, as is the case with most developing countries, China is facing the challenge of managing the increased environmental pollution that is accompanying its economic development. This paper examines the case of cement dust pollution in the town of Wenquan in Sichuan province in order to determine how to adjust the relationship between development of rural enterprises and atmospheric environmental pollution in mountainous areas. Using the single objective linear programming method, and based on the principle of overall optimization, an optimal control plan for different pollution sources was worked out and an economic assessment on reclamation of cement dust was completed. According to our analysis, after implementation of this plan for four years, two months, the concentrations of suspended particles in Wenquan will achieve the requirement of the national third-order ambient air quality standard; the current serious dust pollution will be completely controlled; and the reclamation of cement dust will totally compensate for the cost of dust control and will result in 92,000 yuan of pure profit per year. At that time, the economy and environment will be in harmony.     

大气TSP采样滤膜上PAHs分布的均匀性研究

标准参考物质是分析法研究的基础，也是质量保证较为可信的手段。本文通过对大气ＴＳＰ采样滤膜上ＰＡＨｓ分布的均匀性研究，发现ＰＡＨｓ在滤膜上是均匀分布的，由此，我们提出了滤膜四等分法和八等分法，以获得可用于分析方法研究的实验用参考物质。     

广州市2002～2003年空气污染指数分析

根据广州市2002年1月1日至2003年12月31日的空气污染指数资料,对广州市每日的空气污染指数和可吸入颗粒物、NO2和SO2的污染指数、空气污染指数的月平均值和年平均值、空气质量级别、首要污染物等指标进行了统计分析.结果表明,广州市的空气污染状况与大尺度的天气现象如季风和降雨量等密切相关.     

论长江经济带大气污染防治的若干问题与防治对策

长江经济带是世界上最大的内河产业带和制造业基地,建设长江经济带是新时期中国三大国家发展战略之一,积极、有效地保护长江经济带生态环境具有非常重要的战略意义。本研究从识别突出的大气污染防治问题入手,深入分析大气污染的主要驱动力产业与能源结构,以问题为靶向,提出长江经济带的大气污染防治策略。研究结果发现,占国土面积21%的长江经济带排放了全国34%的二氧化硫、32%的氮氧化物、28%的烟粉尘、44%的挥发性有机物、43%的氨,单位面积污染物排放强度是全国平均水平的1.3~2.1倍,污染物排放远超环境容量。长江经济带126个城市中,6项主要大气污染物年平均浓度全部达标的城市比例不到1/3。颗粒物是影响城市达标的主要污染物。长江经济带产业结构偏重和能源消费以煤为主,是造成大气污染排放量的主要源头,是大气污染的主要驱动力。以解决突出的大气环境问题为核心,将环境质量作为大气污染防治的底线,持续推进空气质量改善,重点措施上,从大气污染驱动力着手,提出优化产业与能源结构、深化多污染物协同控制、推进区域联防联控等大气污染防治对策建议。