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.     

Monitoring of environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of organic compounds with two or more fused aromatic rings. They have a relatively low solubility in water, but are highly lipophilic. Most of the PAHs with low vapour pressure in the air are adsorbed on particles. When dissolved in water or adsorbed on particulate matter, PAHs can undergo photodecomposition when exposed to ultraviolet light from solar radiation. In the atmosphere, PAHs can react with pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, yielding diones, nitro- and dinitro-PAHs, and sulfonic acids, respectively. PAHs may also be degraded by some microorganisms in the soil. PAHs are widespread environmental contaminants resulting from incomplete combustion of organic materials. The occurrence is largely a result of anthropogenic emissions such as fossil fuel-burning, motor vehicle, waste incinerator, oil refining, coke and asphalt production, and aluminum production, etc. PAHs have received increased attention in recent years in air pollution studies because some of these compounds are highly carcinogenic or mutagenic. Eight PAHs (Car-PAHs) typically considered as possible carcinogens are: benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and benzo(g,h,i)perylene. In particular, benzo(a)pyrene has been identified as being highly carcinogenic. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promulgated 16 unsubstituted PAHs (EPA-PAH) as priority pollutants. Thus, exposure assessments of PAHs in the developing world are important. The scope of this review will be to give an overview of PAH concentrations in various environmental samples and to discuss the advantages and limitations of applying these parameters in the assessment of environmental risks in ecosystems and human health. As it well known, there is an increasing trend to use the behavior of pollutants (i.e. bioaccumulation) as well as pollution-induced biological and biochemical effects on human organisms to evaluate or predict the impact of chemicals on ecosystems. Emphasis in this review will, therefore, be placed on the use of bioaccumulation and biomarker responses in air, soil, water and food, as monitoring tools for the assessment of the risks and hazards of PAH concentrations for the ecosystem, as well as on its limitations.     

大气环境质量功能体系及其评价中的系统观

应用系统理论,论证了环境质量作为一种功能体系存在的客观性,并分析了该体系的基本特点及与人类需求层次相协调的性质,从而将环境质量拓展为一种广义的概念以顺应经济、社会发展和环境科学发展的要求.进而就大气环境质量功能体系,探讨了认识和评价环境质量的一般方法以及系统科学在环境科学领域中的应用.     

城市生活垃圾焚烧灰渣及其性质分析

2002年，上海有2座生活垃圾焚烧厂将点火运动。每年将产生约18万t左右的焚烧灰渣。在决定灰渣的最终处理处置方案前，应对焚烧灰渣的性质有全面的了解。详细介绍了国外城市生活垃圾焚烧灰渣甚至生位置的不同分类，并介绍了各类灰渣的物理化学性质和工程性质，以及其重金属的浸出特征。对灰渣处理放置或有效利用时需注意的问题作了分析。     

上海市环境空气质量监测体系规划设计

简述了上海市环境空气质量监测的历史和现状,指出了环境空气质量监测发展需求,构建了上海市空气质量监测系统规划框架;提出应构建上海市环境综合信息和公共数据平台,建设发展地基遥感探空、空基和天基遥感反演技术,建立长三角区域大气复合污染监测体系。     

大气细颗粒物在线源解析方法研究进展

基于对国内外关于PM2.5化学组分特征、二次气溶胶生成机理、源解析模型的研究综述,引入实现PM2.5在线源解析的2种可能方法,即气溶胶质谱+解析算法与3类化学组分组合观测+受体模型。重点阐述了气溶胶质谱及在线水溶性离子、EC/OC和金属元素仪器的应用研究现状,并分析了不同仪器测定结果的可靠性、优势及缺陷,在此基础上提出加强城市尺度的大气化学二次反应机理及关键技术参数研究、大气颗粒物化学组分连续观测应用于在线源解析的研究、基于多种信息来源和技术手段的在线源解析方法集成研究等建议。     

基于Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI遥感大数据分析南京市1984—2015年大气能见度变化趋势

对南京市1984—2015年Landsat 4／5／7／8卫星TM／ETM＋／OLI传感器获取的遥感数据,利用ENVI遥感软件的FLAASH大气校正模块,进行了区域大气能见度（ VIS）遥感反演。结果表明,时间跨度达30余年的Landsat卫星遥感数据影像序列反演的VIS呈明显的下降趋势,20世纪80年代数值较高,“差”能见度（＜10 km）的观测率不到6％,21世纪以来VIS下降明显,“差”能见度的观测率为20％～25％。与2010—2015年南京市PM10、PM2．5监测数据进行了对比,在城市空气清洁及污染较轻时,星地监测结果有较好的一致性,但中到重污染天气时FLAASH算法反演VIS偏高,侧重于代表离主城区距离远的偏远乡野山林地区的能见度状况。     

AERMOD在国内环境影响评价中的实例验证与应用

AERMOD是美国环保局推出的新一代空气质量模式系统,它由AERMET(气象数据预处理器)、AERMAP(地形数据预处理器)和AERMOD(大气扩散模型)3部分组成.结合宁波市北仑区域大气环境影响评价,对该模式系统进行模式验证,并应用于实际预测评价.验证结果表明,在采用适当的模型参数时,该系统预测值与实际监测值具有很好的一致性,SO2、NO2日均最高浓度预测准确率分别达到64.3%和85.7%.最后结合实际预测评价工作,提出AERMOD模式系统在国内环境影响评价工作中的优势及不足.     

高气泡表面积通量浮选柱气浮除藻的研究

湖泊、水库等水源的富营养化,使藻类去除成为饮用水生产的重要任务.本研究采用高气泡表面积通量浮选柱气浮除藻,考察了混凝剂、气泡表面积通量和浮选柱高度等因素的影响.试验表明,高气泡表面积通量浮选柱气浮可高效地去除绿藻、硅藻和蓝藻,叶绿素a和藻类去除率达95%以上,比传统浮选柱气浮和沉降作业有较大幅度提高.与普通气浮柱比较,高气泡表面积通量浮选柱增加了气泡与藻的碰撞几率,防止因大表观充气速率造成的紊流和扰动,使气泡/藻结合体有相对静态的浮升环境,避免了气泡/藻结合体在浮升过程中的脱落,实现对藻类的迅速捕集和转移.     

空气质量数值模型的构建及应用研究进展

综述了近年来国内外空气质量模型的发展历程、空气质量数值模型构建的关键技术以及应用研究。指出了目前空气质量数值预报及应用主要面临气象条件,尤其是大气边界层模拟、大气污染物排放源和大气物理化学过程等问题。提出,应当通过规范化制作和完善排放源清单数据,建立统一的排放源分析标准,提高排放源数据的准确性;多向发展观测手段,加大监测密度和频率,并进行实验室化学分析,提出适合我国的大气物理化学机制。就空气质量模式而言,对模式方案进行优化,以及使用气象、卫星资料同化等技术手段,将其与观测相结合,构建监测与预报系统相结合的统一体系,应用于多平台。