An Air Pollution Index Based on Sulfur Dioxide and Smoke Shade

First-prize winner in the student paper competition conducted by the Mid-Atlantic States Section of the Air Pollution Control Association was Marvin H. Green, a graduate student at Drexel Institute of Technology and assistant chief of Philadelphia’s Air Pollution Control Section. A condensation of his paper follows.     

Investigation to Determine the Possible Need for a Regulation on Organic Compound Emissions from Stationary Sources in the San Francisco Bay Area

The problem of an investigation of the need for a regulation on organic compound emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area can be divided into two major areas: 1. Is there a need for a regulation on organic compound emissions? What is the extent of photochemical smog effects? How much control is necessary to achieve the desired effects?

2. (2) If the need exists for an organic compound regulation, can a performance type regulation be written for all types of organic compound emissions? Must the regulation be directed toward specific industries or types of emissions? Can the regulation be adequately enforced—both practically and legally?

This paper will describe the studies undertaken by the District Staff to answer the first set of questions. Work covering the second group of questions is now under investigation.     

Flame Temperature in Oil-Fired Fuel-Burning Equipment and its Relationship to Carbonaceous Particulate Emissions

Field tests were conducted on 82 fuel-burning installations ranging from 50 to 500 hp, fired with residual fuel oils. A flame pyrometer was used to measure peak flame temperatures. Coarse particulates were measured by impingement on adhesive paper strips inserted at right angles to the gas flow and fine particulates by filtration of the gas sample through filter paper. Both were evaluated using a standard Bacharach Scale. The tests clearly established that both coarse and fine particulate matter invariably occurred with low flame temperatures but decreased appreciably when peak flame temperatures reached approximately 2650°F; Minimum values were observed at temperatures somewhere between 2750 and 2850°F. This research was conducted as a result of the problem of acid smut and carbonaceous (ceno-sphere) fallout which appears to have increased with the advent of modern high-efficiency low-temperature heating installations and taller, cooler operating chimneys; sudden deluges of particles from the chimney serving large oil-burning plants soil clothing, pit car finishes, and damage nylon stockings and other materials.     

Air Pollution Aspects of Soap and Detergent Manufacture

Informative Report No. 8 on soap and detergent manufacture is one of a series of survey reports prepared by APCA’s Tl-2 Committee on air pollution problems and control methods encountered in the chemical industry today.     

Limitations of the Lead Acetate Impregnated Paper Tape Method for Hydrogen Sulfide

Field experience with the lead acetate impregnated paper tape sampler has indicated that large errors may arise in this method due to fading of the color of the precipitated lead sulfide spots. This fading is due to the action of light, sulfur dioxide, ozone, on other substances capable of oxidizing lead sulfide. The moisture content or relative humidity of the air sample must be maintained at an appropriate level to ensure reaction with the impregnated paper tape. The effects of the factors have been investigated in laboratory experiments with known concentrations of H₂S. A number of antioxidants were studied in relation to the stability of the resultant spots to light and oxidation Orthophenyl phenol was found to be the most effective antioxidant for this purpose. A number of necessary precautions to be employed in the use of the lead acetate method are recommended and the limitations are discussed.     

Platitudes or Performance?

Industry, government, and the public have come a long way in establishing the dialogue that is necessary if the reservations each has had of the others’ motives are to be dispelled. However, each tends to fall into a routine of accusations, charges, counter charges, and rebuttals. This paper deals with the action which must be forthcoming from industry if good community relations are to be maintained and the public interest is to be served.     

Ozone Dosage Response of Ponderosa Pine Seedlings

Photochemical oxidant injury to ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws) is a severe problem in the southern California mountains. Three-year-old ponderosa pines fumigated in controlled environment chambers with ozone at 0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 ppm had apparent photosynthesis rates reduced by 10, 70, and 85%, respectively, after 30 days exposure. A fumigation with 0.30 ppm ozone for 33 days depressed the cold perchloric acid extracted polysaccharides of both current and one-year-old needles by 40%. The 80% ethanol soluble sugar concentration of current year, ozone-injured needles increased 16% and that of the one-year-old needles decreased slightly. Both carbohydrate fractions of control trees in carbon-filtered air increased moderately. Higher, endogenous concentrations of ascorbic acid in needles did not protect the tissue from ozone injury. Apparent photosynthesis rate was a sensitive index for ozone dosage response. Needle carbohydrate depletion probably induces premature abscission.     

Pennsylvania’s Compuiterized Air Monitoring System

The Pennsylvania Air Pollution Commission has developed a regulatory program based upon the control of local air pollution problems and reduction of pollutant levels in air basins. The geographical boundaries of 10 air basins have been established. The Commission’s air basin regulations will provide for the reduction of over-all pollutant levels and for emergency procedures in the event of adverse meteorological conditions. The paper discusses the format and objectives of the program.

In order to effectively enforce the air basin regulations and maintain the necessary surveillance of the state’s air quality, a "computerized real time on-line integrated air monitoring-data handling system" has been designed. The system will incorporate a network to constantly monitor the air in each air basin.The primary objectives of the system are: 1. Constant surveillance of air pollution in the air basins.

2. Provide information on air pollution potential alerts.

3. Aid in further development of air quality criteria and regulations.

The air monitoring network is estimated to include approximately 25 remote stations. Each remote will contain air pollution and meteorological sampling equipment and hardware to telemeter to a central station. The data will be transmitted over leased telephone lines. The central station in Harrisburg will contain the necessary hardware to receive and process data, calculate and display results and permit supervisory control of the network. Output options will include immediate display of edited data, command and alarm information, and presentation of statistical results.

Although the air monitoring system is one of the principle ingredients of the program, the air basin concept encompasses other component systems designed to knit together the entire air pollution control program in Pennsylvania.