Influence of different complexity levels of road traffic models on air quality modelling at street scale

Urban mobility accounts for 38 and 19% of nitrogen oxide (NO_x) and particulate matter (PM) emissions at European urban areas, respectively. Despite of all the technological development around automobile industry, urban areas are still facing problems related to exposure to high levels of air pollutants. Increasing the accuracy of both emissions and air quality modelling from road traffic is a key-issue for the management of air pollution in road transport sector. This study assessed the influence of using different road traffic emission models on the accuracy of air quality modelling with street-level resolution, having as a case study an urban area located on the centre region of Portugal. Two emission models, with different complexity levels regarding the ability to characterise the traffic dynamics were analysed, namely, transport emission model for line sources (TREM) and vehicle-specific power (VSP), based on data obtained in an experimental campaign. To perform the air quality simulations, the pollutant dispersion in the atmosphere under variable wind conditions (VADIS) model was used and two pollutants were analysed: NO_x and PM10. The results showed that the magnitude of PM10 and NO_x concentrations were result of a conjoint influence of traffic dynamics and meteorological conditions. Comparison between measured and modelled data showed that the VADIS model could track the evolution of NO_x levels, for both emission models considered, displaying a high correlation (>?0.8) between traffic-related NO_x emissions and NO_x concentrations. For PM10, VADIS model is more sensitive to the differences in the emissions calculation; however, it was observed that the traffic-related PM10 emissions accounts 1.3–8.4% to the PM10 concentration levels at the study area.     

Indoor air quality in urban and rural kindergartens: short-term studies in Silesia,Poland

More than 80% of people living in urban areas who monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed limits defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted. According to average annual levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5, ambient particles with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less) presented in the urban air quality database issued by WHO in 2016, as many as 33 Polish cities are among the 50 most polluted cities in the European Union (EU), with Silesian cities topping the list. The aim of this study was to characterize the indoor air quality in Silesian kindergartens based on the concentrations of gaseous compounds (SO₂, NO₂), PM2.5, and the sum of 15 PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including PM2.5-bound benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), as well as the mutagenic activity of PM2.5 organic extracts in Salmonella assay (strains: TA98, YG1024). The assessment of the indoor air quality was performed taking into consideration the pollution of the atmospheric air (outdoor). I/O ratios (indoor/outdoor concentration) for each investigated parameter were also calculated. Twenty-four-hour samples of PM2.5, SO₂, and NO₂ were collected during spring in two sites in southern Poland (Silesia), representing urban and rural areas. Indoor samples were taken in naturally ventilated kindergartens. At the same time, in the vicinity of the kindergarten buildings, the collection of outdoor samples of PM2.5, SO₂, and NO₂ was carried out. The content of BaP and the sum of 15 studied PAHs was determined in each 24-h sample of PM2.5 (indoor and outdoor). In the urban site, statistically lower concentrations of SO₂ and NO₂ were detected indoors compared to outdoors, whereas in the rural site, such a relationship was observed only for NO₂. No statistically significant differences in the concentrations of PM2.5, PM2.5-bound BaP, and Σ15 PAHs in kindergartens (indoor) versus atmospheric (outdoor) air in the two studied areas were identified. Mutagenic effect of indoor PM2.5 samples was twice as low as in outdoor samples. The I/O ratios indicated that all studied air pollutants in the urban kindergarten originated from the ambient air. In the rural site concentrations of SO₂, PM2.5 and BaP in the kindergarten were influenced by internal sources (gas and coal stoves).     

Air pollution emission inventory and air quality modeling for Can Tho City,Mekong Delta,Vietnam

Can Tho City has quickly become a modernized and industrialized city undergoing rapid population growth affecting the local environment, especially air quality and human health. In 2015, Can Tho had 1,251,809 inhabitants with a total of 566,593 motorcycles and 15,105 automobiles. There are about 1000 factories in the city. The top polluters are the industries of textile and dyeing, food processing, cement, and steel mill and rice processing. The aims of this research are to (i) conduct a detailed air pollution emission inventory (ii) study the formation of the air pollution plume over the city, and (iii) study different pollution abatement strategies for the city. We employ a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches to conduct air pollution emission inventory, then, the finite volume model-transport and photochemistry mesoscale model is applied for studying the formation of the pollution plume. The results showed that transportation and industrial activities are the two main emission sources responsible for 80% of total NO _x , 90% of total SO_2, 75% of CO, 60% of total suspended particles, and 60% of non-methane volatile organic compounds. Modeling results showed that the highest average—1 h—of O₃ is 206 μg/m³ which is higher than the Vietnam ambient air quality standard. The pollution plume is developed in the northeastern part of the city. Finally, abatement measures were proposed. This is the first comprehensive study on air pollution emissions and air quality modeling in the Mekong Delta, yielding insight to support government authorities to promulgate plans and actions to reduce emissions, protecting human health and the environment while leading towards sustainable development.     

The University of Akron Study on Air Pollution and Human Health Effects I. Methodology,Baseline Data,and Aerometrics

This study determined the health effects of ambient air pollutants in two grade school populations in Akron, Ohio. One school is adjacent to industry and has elevated levels of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and moderate levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), while the other school is 4 km east and unpolluted. This study was designed in this manner for two purposes: (1) to identify and monitor ambient levels of air pollutants in an area proximal to the grade school so that the levels could be accurately assessed, and (2) to determine baseline pulmonary function values and questionnaire responses from the parents indicating any acute and/or chronic respiratory problem in the child. Ninety-five percent of the children enrolled in this study lived within 2 km of the schools and aerometric stations, thus providing for careful control in the study design.

The results of this study indicate that SO₂ and NO₂ levels are significantly higher in the school adjacent to industry. Although pulmonary function data were not significantly different between schools, the frequency of questionnaire responses to acute and chronic pulmonary problems was greater in the children at the school adjacent to industry. The data tend to indicate early pulmonary effects of air pollution in children living adjacent to industry and exposed to elevated levels of SO₂ and NO₂. We suggest that additional longitudinal work that carefully monitors total suspended particulates, NO₂, SO₂, and health data should be conducted to confirm these results.     

Potential impacts of emissions associated with unconventional hydrocarbon extraction on UK air quality and human health

Here, we report the first results of model sensitivity simulations to assess the potential impacts of emissions related to future activities linked to unconventional hydrocarbon extraction (fracking) in the UK on air pollution and human health. These simulations were performed with the Met Office Air Quality in the Unified Model, a new air quality-forecasting model, and included a wide range of extra emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) to reflect emissions from the full life cycle of fracking-related activities and simulate the impacts of these compounds on levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃). These model simulations highlight that increases in NO_x and VOC emissions associated with unconventional hydrocarbon extraction could lead to large local increases in the monthly means of daily 1-h maximum NO₂ of up to + 30 ppb and decreases in the maximum daily 8-h mean O₃ up to ??6 ppb in the summertime. Broadly speaking, our simulations indicate increases in both of these compounds across the UK air shed throughout the year. Changes in the 1-h maximum of NO₂ and 8-h mean of O₃ are particularly important for their human health impacts. These respective changes in NO₂ and O₃ would contribute to approximately 110 (range 50–530) extra premature-deaths a year across the UK based on the use of recently reported concentration response functions for changes in annual average NO₂ and O₃ exposure. As such, we conclude that the release of emissions of VOCs and NO_x be highly controlled to prevent deleterious health impacts.     

Source Attribution of Health Benefits from Air Pollution Abatement in Canada and the United States: An Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis

Background: Decision making regarding air pollution can be better informed if air quality impacts are traced back to individual emission sources. Adjoint or backward sensitivity analysis is a modeling tool that can achieve this goal by allowing for quantification of how emissions from sources in different locations influence human health metrics.Objectives: We attributed short-term mortality (valuated as an overall “health benefit”) in Canada and the United States to anthropogenic nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions across North America.Methods: We integrated epidemiological data derived from Canadian and U.S. time-series studies with the adjoint of an air quality model and also estimated influences of anthropogenic emissions at each location on nationwide health benefits.Results: We found significant spatiotemporal variability in estimated health benefit influences of NO_x and VOC emission reductions on Canada and U.S. mortality. The largest estimated influences on Canada (up to $250,000/day) were from emissions originating in the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor, where population centers are concentrated. Estimated influences on the United States tend to be widespread and more substantial owing to both larger emissions and larger populations. The health benefit influences calculated using 24-hr average ozone (O₃) concentrations are lower in magnitude than estimates calculated using daily 1-hr maximum O₃ concentrations.Conclusions: Source specificity of the adjoint approach provides valuable information for guiding air quality decision making. Adjoint results suggest that the health benefits of reducing NO_x and VOC emissions are substantial and highly variable across North America.     

Ambient air pollution and emergency department visits among children and adults in Casablanca,Morocco

This study presents the relationships between ambient air pollutants and morbidity and emergency department visits among children and adults performed in Great Casablanca, the most populated and economic region in Morocco. This research was analyzed using conditional Poisson model for the period 2011–2013. In the period of study, the daily average concentrations of SO₂, NO₂, O₃ and PM₁₀ in Casablanca were 209.4 µg/m³, 61 µg/m³, 113.2 µg/m³ and 75.1 µg/m³, respectively. In children less than 5 years old, risk of asthma could be increased until 12% per 10 µg/m³ increase in NO₂, PM10, SO₂ and O₃. In children over 5 years and adults, an increase of 10 µg/m³ air pollutant can cause an increase until 3% and 4% in respiratory consultations and acute respiratory infection, respectively. Similarly, impact on emergency department visits due to respiratory and cardiac illness was established. Our results suggest a not negligible impact on morbidity of outdoor air pollution by NO₂, SO₂, O₃, and PM₁₀.     

An assessment of air pollution and its attributable mortality in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Epidemiologic studies have consistently reported associations between outdoor fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) air pollution and adverse health effects. Although Asia bears the majority of the public health burden from air pollution, few epidemiologic studies have been conducted outside of North America and Europe due in part to challenges in population exposure assessment. We assessed the feasibility of two current exposure assessment techniques, land use regression (LUR) modeling and mobile monitoring, and estimated the mortality attributable to air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We developed LUR models for predicting wintertime spatial patterns of NO₂ and SO₂ based on 2-week passive Ogawa measurements at 37 locations and freely available geographic predictors. The models explained 74% and 78% of the variance in NO₂ and SO₂, respectively. Land cover characteristics derived from satellite images were useful predictors of both pollutants. Mobile PM_2.5 monitoring with an integrating nephelometer also showed promise, capturing substantial spatial variation in PM_2.5 concentrations. The spatial patterns in SO₂ and PM, seasonal and diurnal patterns in PM_2.5, and high wintertime PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios were consistent with a major impact from coal and wood combustion in the city’s low-income traditional housing (ger) areas. The annual average concentration of PM_2.5 measured at a centrally located government monitoring site was 75 μg/m³ or more than seven times the World Health Organization’s PM_2.5 air quality guideline, driven by a wintertime average concentration of 148 μg/m³. PM_2.5 concentrations measured in a traditional housing area were higher, with a wintertime mean PM_2.5 concentration of 250 μg/m³. We conservatively estimated that 29% (95% CI, 12–43%) of cardiopulmonary deaths and 40% (95% CI, 17–56%) of lung cancer deaths in the city are attributable to outdoor air pollution. These deaths correspond to nearly 10% of the city’s total mortality, with estimates ranging to more than 13% of mortality under less conservative model assumptions. LUR models and mobile monitoring can be successfully implemented in developing country cities, thus cost-effectively improving exposure assessment for epidemiology and risk assessment. Air pollution represents a major threat to public health in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and reducing home heating emissions in traditional housing areas should be the primary focus of air pollution control efforts.     

Perspectives de la pollution atmosphérique

We describe briefly a new method for the analysis and forecast of energy consumption and apply this method to estimate the future emissions of the atmospheric pollutants SO₂ and NO_x. Our results show that the level of SO₂ emissions will quickly go down to 1960 levels, but that the NO_x emissions remain disturbingly high for the foreseeable future.     

Emissions management and health exposure: should all power stations be treated equal?

At the centre of all air quality regulation stands the right of humans to an environment that is not harmful to health and well-being. In many developing countries, including South Africa, coal-fired power station emissions are managed both from an ambient air quality and minimum emissions standpoint. Ambient air quality standards and minimum emissions standards (MES) are often in conflict with one another, as power stations in which vicinity ambient air quality standards are met still have to comply with a blanket set of MES. In developing countries this often leads to the unnecessary incurrence of already constrained financial resources. This study proposes an alternative emissions management strategy where potential human health exposure is used as a decision-making basis on which power station emissions control is founded. The potential human health exposure of population groups to primary particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm or less (PM₁₀), secondary sulphurous and nitrous particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emissions are calculated and compared for 13 power stations in the highveld of South Africa. It was found that the potential human health exposure to individual power stations differ substantially. It is suggested that it makes more sense both from both a human health and fiscal perspective that emissions from coal-fired power stations be managed on an individual power station basis, especially in developing countries.     

Perspectives of atmospheric pollution

Résumé Une nouvelle méthode d'analyse et d'extrapolation de la consommation d'énergie est utilisée pour estimer l'émission des polluants atmosphériques SO₂ et NO_x pour les vingt prochaines années. Nos résultats montrent que les émissions de SO₂ baisseront rapidement à des niveaux comparables à ceux de 1960, alors que les émissions de NO_x resteront à un niveau élevé.

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We describe briefly a new method for the analysis and forecast of energy consumption and apply this method to estimate the future emissions of the atmospheric pollutants SO₂ and NO_x. Our results show that the level of SO₂ emissions will quickly go down to 1960 levels, but that the NO_x emissions remain disturbingly high for the foreseeable future.

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Zusammenfassung Eine neue Methode zur Analyse und zur Erarbeitung von Prognosen des Energieverbrauchs wird kurz vorgestellt und dann angewendet, um die zukünftige Luftverschmutzung durch SO₂ und NO_x abzuschätzen. Unsere Resultate zeigen, dass die Emissionen von SO₂ recht schnell auf das Niveau von 1960 absinken, dass aber die Emissionen von NO_x kaum abnehmen werden.

     

Risk-Based Prioritization among Air Pollution Control Strategies in the Yangtze River Delta,China

Background

The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in China is a densely populated region with recent dramatic increases in energy consumption and atmospheric emissions.

Objectives

We studied how different emission sectors influence population exposures and the corresponding health risks, to inform air pollution control strategy design.

Methods

We applied the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) Modeling System to model the marginal contribution to baseline concentrations from different sectors. We focused on nitrogen oxide (NO_x) control while considering other pollutants that affect fine particulate matter [aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5)] and ozone concentrations. We developed concentration–response (C-R) functions for PM_2.5 and ozone mortality for China to evaluate the anticipated health benefits.

Results

In the YRD, health benefits per ton of emission reductions varied significantly across pollutants, with reductions of primary PM_2.5 from the industry sector and mobile sources showing the greatest benefits of 0.1 fewer deaths per year per ton of emission reduction. Combining estimates of health benefits per ton with potential emission reductions, the greatest mortality reduction of 12,000 fewer deaths per year [95% confidence interval (CI), 1,200–24,000] was associated with controlling primary PM_2.5 emissions from the industry sector and reducing sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from the power sector, respectively. Benefits were lower for reducing NO_x emissions given lower consequent reductions in the formation of secondary PM_2.5 (compared with SO₂) and increases in ozone concentrations that would result in the YRD.

Conclusions

Although uncertainties related to C-R functions are significant, the estimated health benefits of emission reductions in the YRD are substantial, especially for sectors and pollutants with both higher health benefits per unit emission reductions and large potential for emission reductions.     

Air pollution and admissions for acute lower respiratory infections in young children of Ho Chi Minh City

This study assessed the effects of exposure to air pollution on hospitalization for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among children under 5 years of age in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) from 2003 to 2005. Case-crossover analyses with time-stratified selection of control periods were conducted using daily admissions for pneumonia and bronchiolitis and daily, citywide averages of PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃ (8-h maximum average) estimated from the local air quality monitoring network. Increased concentrations of NO₂ and SO₂ were associated with increased admissions in the dry season (November to April), with excess risks of 8.50% (95%CI 0.80–16.79) and 5.85% (95%CI 0.44–11.55), respectively. PM₁₀ could also be associated with increased admissions in the dry season, but high correlation between PM₁₀ and NO₂ (0.78) limits our ability to distinguish between PM₁₀ and NO₂ effects. In the rainy season (May–October), negative associations between pollutants and admissions were observed. Results of this first study of the health effects of air pollution in HCMC support the presence of an association between combustion-source pollution and increased ALRI admissions. ALRI admissions were generally positively associated with ambient levels of PM₁₀, NO₂, and SO₂ during the dry season, but not the rainy season. Negative results in the rainy season could be driven by residual confounding present from May to October. Preliminary exploratory analyses suggested that seasonal differences in the prevalence of viral causes of ALRI could be driving the observed differences in effects by season.     

Air pollution and population health: a global challenge

“Air pollution and population health” is one of the most important environmental and public health issues. Economic development, urbanization, energy consumption, transportation/motorization, and rapid population growth are major driving forces of air pollution in large cities, especially in megacities. Air pollution levels in developed countries have been decreasing dramatically in recent decades. However, in developing countries and in countries in transition, air pollution levels are still at relatively high levels, though the levels have been gradually decreasing or have remained stable during rapid economic development. In recent years, several hundred epidemiological studies have emerged showing adverse health effects associated with short-term and long-term exposure to air pollutants. Time-series studies conducted in Asian cities also showed similar health effects on mortality associated with exposure to particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃) to those explored in Europe and North America. The World Health Organization (WHO) published the “WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs), Global Update” in 2006. These updated AQGs provide much stricter guidelines for PM, NO₂, SO₂ and O₃. Considering that current air pollution levels are much higher than the WHO-recommended AQGs, interim targets for these four air pollutants are also recommended for member states, especially for developing countries in setting their country-specific air quality standards. In conclusion, ambient air pollution is a health hazard. It is more important in Asian developing countries within the context of pollution level and population density. Improving air quality has substantial, measurable and important public health benefits.     

Feasibility of assessing public health impacts of air pollution reduction programs on a local scale: New Haven case study

Background

New approaches to link health surveillance data with environmental and population exposure information are needed to examine the health benefits of risk management decisions.

Objective

We examined the feasibility of conducting a local assessment of the public health impacts of cumulative air pollution reduction activities from federal, state, local, and voluntary actions in the City of New Haven, Connecticut (USA).

Methods

Using a hybrid modeling approach that combines regional and local-scale air quality data, we estimated ambient concentrations for multiple air pollutants [e.g., PM_2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter), NO_x (nitrogen oxides)] for baseline year 2001 and projected emissions for 2010, 2020, and 2030. We assessed the feasibility of detecting health improvements in relation to reductions in air pollution for 26 different pollutant–health outcome linkages using both sample size and exploratory epidemiological simulations to further inform decision-making needs.

Results

Model projections suggested decreases (~ 10–60%) in pollutant concentrations, mainly attributable to decreases in pollutants from local sources between 2001 and 2010. Models indicated considerable spatial variability in the concentrations of most pollutants. Sample size analyses supported the feasibility of identifying linkages between reductions in NO_x and improvements in all-cause mortality, prevalence of asthma in children and adults, and cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations.

Conclusion

Substantial reductions in air pollution (e.g., ~ 60% for NO_x) are needed to detect health impacts of environmental actions using traditional epidemiological study designs in small communities like New Haven. In contrast, exploratory epidemiological simulations suggest that it may be possible to demonstrate the health impacts of PM reductions by predicting intraurban pollution gradients within New Haven using coupled models.     

Associations between size-segregated particle number concentrations and respiratory mortality in Beijing, China

Numerous studies have described the adverse associations between particle mass and respiratory health. The aim of the study was to analyze the associations of particle properties, especially size-segregated particle number concentrations (PNC), and respiratory mortality in Beijing, P.R. China. We gathered daily values of respiratory mortality and air pollution data of the Beijing urban area. Generalized additive models were used to estimate the associations. Single pollutant models showed that delayed concentrations of SO₂, total PNCs, and PNC of 300–1000 nm were adversely associated with total respiratory mortality. There was an indication that adverse health effects of PNCs might be stronger for stagnant air masses. Two-pollutant models verified the independence of associations of total PNCs of other pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, and PM₁₀). In conclusion, particle number concentrations, especially accumulation mode particles, might be factors influencing the adverse associations between particulate matter and respiratory health.     

Respiratory health effects among schoolchildren and their relationship to air pollutants in Korea

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between five air pollutants (PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, CO) measured on the daily basis, and adverse health symptoms using epidemiological surveillance data. The generalized estimated equation (GEE) model, a logistic regression analysis model, was used to estimate the effects of air pollution on children's daily health symptoms, focusing on the morbidity including both respiratory and allergic symptoms in four different cities. Analysis of the effects of each pollutant on children's respiratory and allergic symptoms demonstrated that CO affected all symptoms in all the study areas. When the concentration of SO₂ and NO₂ was elevated, upper respiratory symptoms increased significantly. In contrast, when the concentration of O₃ rose, the symptoms decreased significantly. The relationship between measured concentrations and health symptoms was site-dependent for each pollutant.     

Nitrogen dioxide and acute respiratory tract infections in children in Indonesia

Abstract

We evaluated associations between air pollution (nitrogen dioxide [NO₂] and sulfur dioxide [SO₂]) and health in children aged 0–3?years in Indonesia. We included 4931 Indonesian children born between 2009 and 2011. We assigned participants provincial-levels of NO₂ and SO₂ and examined associations with low birth weight, infant death, neonatal death, and acute respiratory infection (ARI). We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a generalized estimating equations logistic regression model. NO₂ exposure increased the risk for ARI. An interquartile range increase in mean NO₂ exposure increased the risk for ARI by 18% (OR 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08–1.28), and was supported by quartile exposure category. SO₂ was not associated with the examined child health outcomes. NO₂ exposure increased the risk for respiratory infections in early childhood in Indonesia. Abbreviations ARI acute respiratory infection

CI confidence interval

GDRB Gross Domestic Regional Bruto

GEE generalized estimating equations

IDHS Indonesian Demographic Health Survey

IQR interquartile range

LBW low birth weight

NO₂ nitrogen dioxide

OR odds ratio

SO₂ sulfur dioxide

     

The influence of location, source, and emission type in estimates of the human health benefits of reducing a ton of air pollution

The benefit per ton ($/ton) of reducing PM_2.5 varies by the location of the emission reduction, the type of source emitting the precursor, and the specific precursor controlled. This paper examines how each of these factors influences the magnitude of the $/ton estimate. We employ a reduced-form air quality model to predict changes in ambient PM_2.5 resulting from an array of emission control scenarios affecting 12 different combinations of sources emitting carbonaceous particles, NO _x , SO _x , NH₃, and volatile organic compounds. We perform this modeling for each of nine urban areas and one nationwide area. Upon modeling the air quality change, we then divide the total monetized health benefits by the PM_2.5 precursor emission reductions to generate $/ton metrics. The resulting $/ton estimates exhibit the greatest variability across certain precursors and sources such as area source SO _x , point source SO _x , and mobile source NH₃. Certain $/ton estimates, including mobile source NO _x , exhibit significant variability across urban areas. Reductions in carbonaceous particles generate the largest $/ton across all locations.     

Air quality assessment in Algiers city

Very few studies related with the assessment and research of air pollutants have been initiated in Algiers, which is the political and economic capital of Algeria. This lack of studies is mainly due to the non-access and insufficiency of data, and also the failure of the air quality monitoring stations during the last years. For those reasons, the use of modeling tools can be useful to assess the air pollution levels and compare different control options. The main aim of this paper is to identify anthropogenic emission sources (road traffic, industrial, residential, and waste) which are considered key sources of air pollution in the greater Algiers, and to estimate the concentration levels of suspended particles with diameter ? 10 μm (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) over the studied area during 2012. For this purpose, The Air Pollution Model (TAPM) was used. The results indicate that meteorology statistical measures present a perfect agreement between measured and predicted values. The index of agreement (IOA) for wind speed and its components is above 0.65, for temperature is 0.99, while for the air pollution, the comparison of predicted concentrations with measured ones shows similar results. The maximum concentration levels for PM10 (122 μg/m³) and for NO₂ (91 μg/m³) are higher than the values established by national and international legislation, and the industrial districts are more affected by air pollution than the urban areas.