Does air pollution cause respiratory illness? A new look at Canadian cities

It is routinely asserted that urban air pollution is a major cause of acute respiratory conditions, leading to thousands of hospitalizations each year. The claim is based on inferences from partial correlations between ambient air pollution levels and hospitalization rates. Yet questions persist about the statistical robustness of the epidemiological findings, and controlled experiments have not confirmed the statistical findings. In this paper we present and analyze a new monthly data base showing concentrations of five major air contaminants in 11 large Canadian cities from 1974 to 1994, matched with monthly hospital admission rates by age group for all lung diagnostic categories; as well as a comprehensive set of socioeconomic and meteorological covariates. We compare two estimation approaches: model selection and Bayesian model averaging. Almost all of our estimates of the health effects of air pollution are insignificant. Two pollutant types have significantly negative coefficients, indicating, if interpreted in the standard way, that these pollutants are actually beneficial for health. We do not claim this, but we conclude that the perceived statistical relationship between air pollution and health is not robust

Monitoring of air quality in the urban and industrial areas in Kosovo

Environmental pollution has a direct or indirect effect, and is mainly caused by human activity or environmental processes that have harmful effects in the environment and human life.In Kosovo the air pollution in Kosovo is quite evident in the industrial areas. The power plant of KEK (TCA and TCB), from the Cement Factory and ferronickel etc. In the vast majority of cases, the pollution is caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2), azotes (NOx), ozone, lead and other heavy metals, such as carbon monoxide (CO), dust, PM10,PM2,5 and steamy organic components. The aim of this inquiry is to study the air pollution in urban and industrial areas and to take further measures for estimation of air emissions. This scientific paper will with analyze the effect of ferronickel in environment and the facilities in Kosovo Energetic Corporation as the main cause air pollution in urban areas. Based on the arguments provided from this study it is concluded that the main pollutants in urban and industrial areas are the power plants (Kosova A and Kosova B). industrial complex of Mitrovica, the circulation of cars in urban areas, Ferronickel in Drenas, the Cement Factory Sharcem of Han i Elezit. The process of monitoring the air quality it is conducted by the Hydro-Meteorogical Institute and some of the economic operators such as Ferronickel and KEK

Modelling studies of wind field on urban environment

International audienceIncreasing load of air pollution in urban environment emphasises the need for detailed evaluation of wind characteristics that significantly affect the air quality of urban areas, especially, in large agglomerations. This paper includes analysis of urban wind climatology and estimation of wind profiles based on measurements of the new urban climate station located at the Eötvös University, observations of the meteorological station network of the Budapest agglomeration area, and multi-level wind measurements near Hegyhátsál. Furthermore, wind field modelling (using the WAsP linear spectral wind flow model) is presented over selected representative complex areas that demonstrates strong dependence between wind, height, topography, and roughness

Using a Choice Experiment to Estimate the Benefits of a Reduction of Externalities in Urban Areas with Special Focus on Electrosmog

Noise, air pollution and electromagnetic pollution (i.e. non-ionizing radiation, also called electrosmog) are typical negative local externalities in urban areas. They are side-effects of human and economic activity (e.g. road transport, telecommunication) and affect individuals’ well-being negatively without compensation. Measurements carried out in 2005 and 2006 show that in several Swiss cities the limit values of air pollution fixed in the Swiss law have often been exceeded. Moreover, in several areas of these cities also the day and night standards for the noise level were violated. Further, the increased number of mobile phone antennas in residential areas, and thus the increased intensity of radiated power, has, in recent years, aroused public concern, discussions and protests. The view of an antenna is annoying an increasing number of inhabitants. In order to solve these problems, policy-makers have to introduce new environmental instruments to improve the quality of the environment in the Swiss cities. This paper aims at giving policy-makers information on benefits generated by an improvement of local environmental quality. In two Swiss cities (Lugano and Zurich), stated choice experiment is used to estimate the benefits of a reduction of the level of the negative externalities mentioned above. Results from this choice experiment reveal that there is a positive and significant willingness to pay (WTP) for a reduction of the level of air pollution and noise to those limit values fixed by the government. In addition, this is the first study that uses a stated preference approach based on a choice experiment for the estimation of the benefit of a reduction of electrosmog.choice experiment, electrosmog, noise, air pollution

Air Pollution Costs in Ukraine

The paper presents estimation of the health losses from urban air pollution in Ukraine. The methodology developed by US EPA and adjusted in Russia for Eastern European transition countries was applied for health risk assessment. PM2.5 was identified as the major source of human health risk, based on experience from the Russian studies. In the absence of reliable computed concentrations of PM2.5, the study was based on monitoring data of total suspended particle (TSP) emissions in Ukraine. Additional cases of mortality and morbidity were calculated based on reporting data on TSP concentration that was recalculated into PM2.5. Then the concentration–response function was applied to estimate individual risk. Next, individual risk was applied to the population exposed to the concentration reported for each city included in the analysis (we selected most polluted cities). For each city we considered individual data on baseline mortality and morbidity and population structure. In total, air pollution related mortality represents about 6 percent of total mortality in Ukraine. In Russia the corresponding indicator totals about 4 percent. The relative mortality risk attributed to air pollution calculated per 100 000 population in both countries is about 55-59 cases. Since applied method is sensitive to the primary data uncertainties we conducted sensitivity analysis applying Monte-Carlo method. Economic damage related to mortality risk was estimated at about 4 percent of GDP. There was no relevant WTP study in Ukraine therefore we applied the benefit-transfer method in order to estimate VSL, since mortality attributed to air pollution is major component of health losses (about 94 percent). In order to compare and aggregate mortality and morbidity risks we recalculated them in DALY. Then morbidity represents about 30 percent of total air pollution health load. Data on baseline morbidity is less reliable than data on baseline mortality; therefore the morbidity risk estimates are more uncertain than mortality estimates. It is likely that morbidity risk is underestimated. Regardless of uncertainties mentioned above and some problems with reported data we can conclude that the mortality risk attributed to air pollution is significant. Therefore, costs of air pollution in Ukraine are sizable and in the nearest future may offset the economic growth. Recovery of the Ukrainian economy based on restoration of polluting industries may lead to stagnation since mortality and morbidity risks not only puts burden on the economy, but also reduce labor force.Air Pollution, Ukraine, Environmental Damages

Quantification of CO2 Emissions by Top-down Method of Manaus Public and Private Transport Fleet

Air pollutants emitted by motor vehicles make a major contribution to air pollution in large urban centers, accounting for about 75% of emissions. The estimation of GHG emissions by the “Top-down” method used in the National Energy Balance - BEN, provides for the conversion of all fuel consumption measures to a common unit. Thus, the study aimed to guide the monitoring and monitoring of the concentrations of pollutant gases emitted by diesel combustion vehicles, comparing CO2 emissions in 2018, in two public and private transport fleets in the city of Manaus. - AM Based on the application of the Top-Down methodology generating the data in the comparative table of public and private transport companies, it is evident that CO2 emissions for both fleets present a high air pollution index suggesting the adaptation of the vehicle fleet. by adopting similar fuel with lower pollutant content. The data obtained in the study show that fuels with low emission factors should be used in urban public transport vehicles

Activity Patterns and Pollution Exposure

In recent times there has been increasing interest in modelling policies to limit impacts of air pollution due to motor vehicles. Impacts of air pollution on human health and comfort depend on the relationship between the distribution of pollutants and the spatial distribution of the urban population. As emissions, weather conditions and the location of the population vary with time of day, day of month and season of the year, the problem is complex. Travel demand models with activity-based approaches and a focus on the overall structure of activity/travel relations, not only spatially, but temporally can make a valuable contribution. They are often used to estimate emissions due to the travel patterns of city populations but may equally be used to provide distributions of urban populations during the day. A case study for Melbourne, Australia demonstrates the use of activity data in the estimation of population exposure. Additionally the study shows some marked differences in activity between seasons and even greater the differences in effect of that activity on exposure to air pollution. Numbers of cities will have seasonal pollutant patterns similar to Melbourne and others will benefit from exploring such patterns