Air pollution control costs and consumption pattern effects A regional analysis

The purpose of this study was to ascertain, through the use of an input-output model, the impact of air pollution control costs on income groups in the Philadelphia Region. The range of increases in consumption expenditure was found to be fairly narrow, with the middle-income group bearing the largest increase (2.9%) and the highest and lowest groups slightly lower increases (about 2%). This finding lends support to the proposition that all income groups would probably share the costs of control equally, which leads to a slightly regressive effect on income distribution. The sharing of the region's air quality costs by other areas was also analyzed.     

White certificates and domestic offset schemes: possible synergies

Next to energy efficiency, in the context of GHG reductions, additional policy mechanisms to the incumbent EU Emissions Trading scheme (EU ETS) are discussed. Such is the case of Non-ETS Domestic Offset (DO) schemes, which can reduce CO₂-eq.emissions in the non-ETS sectors and trade these as CO₂ credits on the ETS market. Taking into account that the EU’s “Linking Directive” (EC 2004) creates the conditions to use credits generated by emission reduction projects certified by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Kyoto Protocol (KP) within the EU ETS market, in this paper we employ the institutional analysis method of interactions in order to provide insight of a combined White Certificates (WhC) and DOs cheme. Special attention is paid to the parameters that seem to hamper harmonization of WhC and DO. Aim of this paper is to discuss whether smart market- based instruments, such as WhC, can be complementary to the effectiveness of mechanisms fostering energy efficiency such as DOs projects and vice versa. In this respect, the potential combined scheme is assessed (ex-ante) with the help of standard criteria that refer to the triptych energy, environment & society. Given the outcome of the study made, it is fair to say that such a DO/WhC combined scheme could be selected if the additionality concern is to minimize short term social costs of reaching a certain goal. However recent information and research conducted so far cannot yet uphold an ambition that a WhC/DO scheme of this kind could also drive technical change, keep consumer costs down and be equitable.     

Identification and field evaluation of the female sex pheromone of Stathmopoda masinissa in Korea

The sex pheromone of Stathmopoda masinissa Meyrick, an important pest of persimmon fruit in East Asia such as Korea, China, and Japan, was investigated. A lure using (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadienyl acetate (E4,Z6-16Ac), which was identified as a sex pheromone compound of Japanese population, did not work at all for Korean population. Therefore, components in the abdominal extract of the moth were identified and their attractiveness was evaluated in the field. Two components, E4,Z6-16Ac and (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadien-1-ol (E4,Z6-16OH) were identified from the extract of female abdominal extract in a ratio of 10–15:90–85 by GC–MS analysis with synthetic standards. E4,Z6-16Ac and E4,Z6-16OH were previously identified as EAG-active components of this moth in Japanese population. However, (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadienal (E4,Z6-16Ald), which is one of the abdominal extract components and EAG-active component in Japanese population, was not detected in our samples. In the persimmon orchard, single component of E4,Z6-16Ac or E4,Z6-16OH was not attractive. However, the 1:1 mixture of the two components significantly increased the captures of male S. masinissa. Interestingly, traps baited with E4,Z6-16Ac captured significantly higher number of Oedematopoda ignipicta (Lepidoptera: Stathmopodidae) than the traps baited with E4,Z6-16OH or blend of the two components. The attractiveness of E4,Z6-16Ac to O. ignipicta is a new finding.     

Dry deposition and particle size distributions of nitrate and sulfate in ambient air

This study reports the dry deposition pollutants of anion species (NO₃ ^‐ and SO₄ ^‐2) in the Ping Tung City of Southern Taiwan. Several deposition properties are discussed in this paper. It included dry deposition flux, anion species size distribution and deposition velocities. Noll Rotary Impactor (NRI) and Microorifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) were used to collect ambient air coarse and fine particulate. Dry deposition plate was applied to collect particle deposition flux. Dionex 2000i/SP Ion Chromatography equipped with 4 mm AG4A‐SC and AS4A‐SC column was employed to analyze the anion species. The eluent solution is 1.8 mM sodium carbonate/1.7 mM sodium bicarbonate. The measured dry deposition flux of nitrate ranged from 0.63 to 3.96 mg/m²‐day and averaged 2.12 mg/m²‐day, while the measured dry deposition of sulfate ranged from 1.17 to 9.53 mg/m²‐day and averaged 3.92 mg/m²‐day. The particle size distribution of nitrate has bimodal particle size distributions. However, the sulfate displayed uniform particle size distribution for all four sampling sites. Mean cumulative fraction (F%) of nitrate in the particle size range below 1, 2.5, 10 and 25 μm, in sequence, were 34.6%, 60.9%, 91.0% and 97.6%, respectively. However, the mean F% of sulfate in the particle size range below 1, 2.5, 10 and 25 um, in sequence, were 57.3%, 82.6%, 90.3% and 98.0%, respectively. The sulfate has more F% in the submicron particles. The mean MMD _o of nitrate and sulfate are 2.35 and 0.87 μm, respectively. The mean dry deposition velocities of nitrate and sulfate are 0.45 and 0.38 cm/sec, respectively.     

Characteristics of heavy metal absorption of river bed sludge components

Chronic inhalation of aerosols of different Cd compounds by rats gave sufficient evidence that inhaled Cd is a lung carcinogen in rats. In contrast, the evidence in humans has been termed limited that inhaled Cd causes lung cancer in occupationally exposed humans. In order to assess the carcinogenic potential of ambient air concentrations of Cd, the accumulated dose of Cd in lung tissue from a rat inhalation study was modelled taking into account deposition and retention of Cd in the lung. A lung Cd—cancer incidence relationship could then be established, and an equivalent human exposure could be calculated using man specific pulmonary Cd retention and deposition data for Cd containing particle sizes in the ambient air. Linear interpolation to low doses showed that the pulmonary carcinogenic risk from inhalation of environmental airborne Cd is generally very low, but may reach about 1 × 10^‐4 in polluted industrialized areas. Combined exposures to Cd plus other carcinogens or air pollutants may increase the risk considerably. Cd in cigarette mainstream smoke was estimated to contribute less than 5 % of the total lung cancer risk from smoking cigarettes. However, the influence of co‐exposure to other compounds in cigarette smoke is not known and should be taken into account.     

Kinetics of acetyl CoA: Arylamine N‐acetyltransferase from rapid and slow acetylator fish tissues

N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) activity was determined in 100 fish (Oreochromis mossambicus) livers using 2‐aminofluorene and p‐aminobenzoic acid as substrates. Overall, the liver NAT activity of the 50 females was higher than the liver NAT activity of the 50 males. The activities (mean ± SD) of NAT from kidney, blood, intestine, and liver of males was 0.42 ± 0.11, 0.12 ± 0.03, 0.12 ± 0.08, and 1.56 ± 0.54 nmol/min/mg protein for the acetylation of 2‐aminofluorene and 0.36 ± 0.09, 0.09 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.04, and 0.46 ± 0.15 nmol/min/mg protein for the acetylation of p‐aminobenzoic acid. In kidney, blood, intestine, and liver from female fish, the activities obtained were 1.60 ± 0.12, 0.35 ± 0.07, 0.15 ± 0.09, and 1.89 ± 0.50 nmol/min/mg protein for 2‐aminofluorene and 0.95 ± 0.11, 0.27 ± 0.03, 0.13 ± 0.09, and 0.57 ± 0.12nmol/min/mg protein for p‐aminobenzoic acid. Kinetic constants for arylamine N‐acetyltransferase activity in kidney, blood, intestine, and liver from fish with rapid, intermediate, and slow acetylator activity were determined. Apparent K _m and V _max values for 2‐aminofluorene were 5.5 and 7‐fold higher for liver than for the other tissues. Apparent K _m and V _max values for p‐aminobenzoic acid were 3.5 and 4.7‐fold higher for liver than for the other tissues. Based on the 2‐aminofluorene NAT activity of liver, there appears to be a polymorphism in NAT activity with 16 rapid, 28 intermediate, and 56 slow acetylators among the 100 fish assayed. This is the first demonstration of acetyl CoA: arylamine N‐acetyltransferase activity in fresh water fish and could lead to the development of a fish model for monitoring the effect of pollution of water environments on native species.     

Light‐induced changes in rabbit pineal gland n‐acetyltransferase activity

N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) activity was determined in different ages of New Zealand White rabbit pineal gland using 2‐aminofluorene and p‐aminobenzoic acid as substrates and it was assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography. Rabbits of different ages were either sacrificed during the light phase, exposed to darkness or light for 1 min during the dark phase of the lighting cycle, returned to their cages in darkness for 30 min and then sacrificed. Pineal gland NAT activity in animal nocturnally exposed to 1 min of light was inhibited in animals 1 ‐day‐old of age. Nocturnal light exposure did not inhibit enzyme activity in 1‐day‐old rabbit, even though these animal displayed clear light : dark differences in pineal gland NAT activity. Nocturnal light exposure also did not inhibit night time levels of NAT activity in 1‐day‐old animals who had been bilaterally enucleated. The result suggested that this effect is retinally mediated. Pre‐treatment of 1‐day‐old and 60‐day‐old animals with the isoproterenol (beta‐noradrenoreceptor agonist drug), prevented the nocturnal light‐induced inhibition of NAT activity. The different sensitivity of 60‐day‐old and 1‐day‐old animals to different illuminances or durations of nocturnal light exposure, was that the duration or intensity of light exposure was enable to inhibit nocturnal NAT activity. The NAT activity was at least 3.2‐ to 4.6‐fold greater in 1‐day‐old rabbits compared to 60‐day‐old rabbits. Kinetic constants for arylamine NAT activity in pineal gland from rabbits were determined. K_m and F_max values for 2‐aminofluorene were 2.6‐fold higher for light exposure than for no light exposure rabbits. This is the first demonstration of the retina‐pineal gland pathway appears light‐induced changes in pineal glands of animals in 1‐day‐old of ages or older; but this pathway does not function in 60‐day‐old rabbits like manner in 1‐day‐old rabbits.     

The responses and prospects of sustainable development for Guangzhou and Hong Kong

The ability to achieve urban sustainability has become an indication of the competence of a municipal government aiming to gain world class status for the city. While both Guangzhou and Hong Kong are Chinese cities having their own formulation of urban sustainability, the implementation details and the actual sustainability blueprints are very different. As a result, the outcomes and prospects for urban sustainability are also different.

Hong Kong has adopted a less integrative and more institutionally-oriented approach for urban sustainability. Guangzhou has used the conventional approach to formulate an integrated sustainability programme for its local Agenda 21. Hong Kong's action plan emphasizes improving coordination, making objective assessments and achieving consistency in policy-making. Guangzhou, on the other hand, emphasizes the meeting of concrete environmental targets. Unfortunately, the new institutional arrangement and monitoring tools adopted by Hong Kong have not been able to achieve the original intent and neither is there the intention to go too far beyond the weak sustainability approach. On the contrary, Guangzhou has planned and attempted to incorporate industrial ecology in its development regime while heavily investing into pollution control programmes and pushing forward a green community programme at the grass-roots level.