The document discusses air quality management perspectives on a regional cooperation plan to build a quality living area in the Pearl River Delta region of China. It analyzes the European Union's air quality management system as a potential benchmark and provides recommendations for intervention areas. Key recommendations include adopting the EU's health-based air quality standards, expanding air monitoring networks, controlling vehicle and fuel emissions through clean technology and standards, increasing public involvement, and establishing low-emissions zones. The EU system could help guide air quality policies and serve as a bridge to World Health Organization guidelines to improve public health in the region over time.
The document provides an executive summary of trends in US greenhouse gas emissions from 1990-2015. It finds that total US emissions increased by 3.5% from 1990-2015, but decreased by 2.3% from 2014-2015, driven by decreases in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. CO2 emissions remain the largest contributor to total US emissions. Emissions are now 11.5% below 2005 levels. The summary follows UNFCCC guidelines for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas inventories.
Air quality and the public's health - Professor Paul CosfordIES / IAQM
A presentation from RTCA17, held on 24th-25th October 2017.
Professor Cosford's presentation explores the role of the Public Health England in improving air quality within the UK. Raising public and professional awareness through sustained public health engagement with local authorities and other stakeholders.
The document discusses the health impacts of particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution. It notes that exposure to anthropogenic PM2.5 leads to reduced life expectancy, with models showing losses ranging from months to over a year depending on the year and meteorological factors. Motor vehicles are identified as major contributors to air pollution in cities, responsible for around half of particulate emissions. Long term exposure to elevated levels of PM2.5 and other air pollutants increases mortality rates from respiratory and cardiac causes.
Potential health effects of shipping-related PM - Matt LoxamIES / IAQM
This document summarizes a study examining the effects of particulate matter air pollution from different shipping sources on bronchial epithelial cells. The study found:
1) Airborne PM chemistry and concentrations varied within the port depending on nearby emission sources such as cruise ships, cargo ships, and vehicle traffic.
2) PM near cruise ship berths was enriched in vanadium and nickel during the cruise season, especially in the ultrafine fraction.
3) Shipping-associated elements like vanadium, nickel, cobalt, and selenium were strongly associated with increased inflammation in lung cell cultures exposed to the PM.
4) Future work will further examine the toxic effects of different PM sources and conduct source apportionment across the port to determine
Environmental Law for Business Seminar: Status Report on the Call for Action ...This account is closed
Six months following the release of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario's report Looking for Leadership – The Costs of Climate Inaction, we look at what, if any, changes have occurred since that report. In this presentation, Gowlings and our multi-disciplinary panel address key issues including:
• U.S. federal and state actions in response to climate change
• Highlights from the International Bar Association’s Climate Change Justice and Human Rights Task Force Report.
• The role of voluntary markets
Outdoor air quality and health: Evidence to action - Karen ExleyIES / IAQM
The document discusses work by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England (PHE) on outdoor air quality and health. It outlines NICE's role in developing guidelines and quality standards on outdoor air pollution. It summarizes NICE's 2017 guideline on reducing health impacts of road traffic air pollution and its 2019 quality standard containing priority statements. It then discusses PHE's review of interventions to improve air quality and public health, identifying promising options like planning green infrastructure, subsidizing public transit, and behavioral programs. The document recommends a holistic approach targeting multiple pollutants and domains through evaluated interventions to maximize health benefits.
An environmental impact assessment was conducted for a proposed integrated steel plant in Odisha, India. The summary finds:
1) Ambient air quality monitoring found existing PM10 and PM2.5 levels above national standards in the project area. Dispersion modeling also predicted the plant would significantly increase air pollution.
2) The EIA report underestimated health impacts by missing secondary particulate formation and incremental PM2.5 impacts. It also did not account for mercury or heavy metal emissions.
3) Based on estimated annual emissions of 9433 tons of PM, 13,131 tons of NOx, and 11,642 tons of SO2, a health impact assessment was conducted and found significant impacts from increased
Is air quality taken seriously in planning decisions? - Rose GroganIES / IAQM
Air quality issues in planning and development have been brought into focus recently thanks to a number of high profile court cases. This presentation will examine how air quality issues fit into the overall planning system, the legal and policy tests which apply to air quality issues and how air quality issues arise in planning litigation. The presentation will use a number of case studies to identify how planning authorities have approached air quality issues in the planning sphere, and what role the court has to play when decision-making (arguably) goes wrong.
The document provides an executive summary of trends in US greenhouse gas emissions from 1990-2015. It finds that total US emissions increased by 3.5% from 1990-2015, but decreased by 2.3% from 2014-2015, driven by decreases in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. CO2 emissions remain the largest contributor to total US emissions. Emissions are now 11.5% below 2005 levels. The summary follows UNFCCC guidelines for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas inventories.
Air quality and the public's health - Professor Paul CosfordIES / IAQM
A presentation from RTCA17, held on 24th-25th October 2017.
Professor Cosford's presentation explores the role of the Public Health England in improving air quality within the UK. Raising public and professional awareness through sustained public health engagement with local authorities and other stakeholders.
The document discusses the health impacts of particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution. It notes that exposure to anthropogenic PM2.5 leads to reduced life expectancy, with models showing losses ranging from months to over a year depending on the year and meteorological factors. Motor vehicles are identified as major contributors to air pollution in cities, responsible for around half of particulate emissions. Long term exposure to elevated levels of PM2.5 and other air pollutants increases mortality rates from respiratory and cardiac causes.
Potential health effects of shipping-related PM - Matt LoxamIES / IAQM
This document summarizes a study examining the effects of particulate matter air pollution from different shipping sources on bronchial epithelial cells. The study found:
1) Airborne PM chemistry and concentrations varied within the port depending on nearby emission sources such as cruise ships, cargo ships, and vehicle traffic.
2) PM near cruise ship berths was enriched in vanadium and nickel during the cruise season, especially in the ultrafine fraction.
3) Shipping-associated elements like vanadium, nickel, cobalt, and selenium were strongly associated with increased inflammation in lung cell cultures exposed to the PM.
4) Future work will further examine the toxic effects of different PM sources and conduct source apportionment across the port to determine
Environmental Law for Business Seminar: Status Report on the Call for Action ...This account is closed
Six months following the release of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario's report Looking for Leadership – The Costs of Climate Inaction, we look at what, if any, changes have occurred since that report. In this presentation, Gowlings and our multi-disciplinary panel address key issues including:
• U.S. federal and state actions in response to climate change
• Highlights from the International Bar Association’s Climate Change Justice and Human Rights Task Force Report.
• The role of voluntary markets
Outdoor air quality and health: Evidence to action - Karen ExleyIES / IAQM
The document discusses work by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England (PHE) on outdoor air quality and health. It outlines NICE's role in developing guidelines and quality standards on outdoor air pollution. It summarizes NICE's 2017 guideline on reducing health impacts of road traffic air pollution and its 2019 quality standard containing priority statements. It then discusses PHE's review of interventions to improve air quality and public health, identifying promising options like planning green infrastructure, subsidizing public transit, and behavioral programs. The document recommends a holistic approach targeting multiple pollutants and domains through evaluated interventions to maximize health benefits.
An environmental impact assessment was conducted for a proposed integrated steel plant in Odisha, India. The summary finds:
1) Ambient air quality monitoring found existing PM10 and PM2.5 levels above national standards in the project area. Dispersion modeling also predicted the plant would significantly increase air pollution.
2) The EIA report underestimated health impacts by missing secondary particulate formation and incremental PM2.5 impacts. It also did not account for mercury or heavy metal emissions.
3) Based on estimated annual emissions of 9433 tons of PM, 13,131 tons of NOx, and 11,642 tons of SO2, a health impact assessment was conducted and found significant impacts from increased
Is air quality taken seriously in planning decisions? - Rose GroganIES / IAQM
Air quality issues in planning and development have been brought into focus recently thanks to a number of high profile court cases. This presentation will examine how air quality issues fit into the overall planning system, the legal and policy tests which apply to air quality issues and how air quality issues arise in planning litigation. The presentation will use a number of case studies to identify how planning authorities have approached air quality issues in the planning sphere, and what role the court has to play when decision-making (arguably) goes wrong.
This document provides a template for specifying requirements for a financial data warehouse project. The template includes sections for introduction, purpose, project summary, requirements definition, considerations, and a document change log. The project summary section provides an executive overview with objectives, scope, references, and outstanding issues. The requirements definition section outlines goals, usability requirements, security requirements, business questions, data requirements, and design constraints. The purpose is to help define and document the project scope and requirements.
The PRD describes the product your company will build. The purpose is to clearly and unambiguously articulate the product’s purpose, features, functionality, and behavior.
See enhanced version of this (https://www.slideshare.net/ujjwaltrivedi/prd-template-for-product-managers). A sample product requirement document draft for mobile apps. It can also be used for quick wireframing and estimates of any kind of software. It should generally be a useful tool for business analysts, product managers, pre sales consultants. It is modern, complete and agile.
The document discusses the product requirements document (PRD), which is created after the market requirements document (MRD) and business requirements document (BRD) to define the purpose, features, and functionality of a product before the technical requirements document (TRD) is made. A PRD typically includes descriptions of the product, its expected use, how it addresses market problems and needs. It allows a company to understand what a product should do and how it should work for any type of product. The document provides an example PRD for software and discusses best practices for creating a high-quality PRD, common mistakes to avoid, and that the focus should always be on delivering value to customers.
This document provides business requirements for upgrading an existing mobile banking system (T System 1.0) to a new version (T System 2.0). Key points include:
- The goals are to detail requirements, provide an operational overview, and describe business processes and scenarios.
- Customer operations involve mobile banking across 4 Asian countries managed through a central data bank.
- The current system provides functions like user profile, account views, funds transfer, and reports.
- An upgrade is needed because adding credit card services requires more robust security and the existing system is difficult to enhance.
- The new system will provide mobile banking for 4 countries beginning in mid-2020 and include credit card services.
PM 2.5 - meeting the WHO guidelines values - Claire HolmanIES / IAQM
Brook Cottage Consultants Ltd is an expert in air quality management that provides consulting services. The document discusses achieving the WHO guideline value of 10 μg/m3 for PM2.5 levels by 2030. Modeling shows it is technically feasible for most of the UK to meet this level through emission reductions, though London may still exceed 10 μg/m3 without additional measures. There is uncertainty in predicting future levels, but current commitments and strategies could significantly lower population exposure. The WHO may set more stringent long-term PM2.5 guidelines in 2020.
IRJET - Air Quality Index – A Study to Assess the Air QualityIRJET Journal
This document discusses a study on assessing air quality in Delhi, India using the Air Quality Index (AQI). It provides background on air pollution and the importance of measuring AQI. The study calculates daily AQI values over three years for Delhi based on concentrations of pollutants like NO2, SO2, SPM and RSPM. The results show AQI values were regularly unhealthy around 200. SPM and RSPM correlated most strongly with AQI, suggesting they are major contributors to air pollution. Stricter measures are needed to address rising levels of particulate matter and improve air quality.
This document discusses air pollution indices and how they are used. Air pollution indices transform weighted air pollution parameter values like SPM, SO2, CO, NO2, O3, and hydrocarbons into a single number to simply and clearly indicate the air quality level. They inform the public about daily pollution changes, help compare cities, and evaluate enforcement policies. Common calculation methods include relating parameters to standards, averaging ratios to standards, and assigning sub-index values within parameter ranges. Air pollution indices provide a useful way to track air quality changes and facilitate comparisons.
Air Pollution in Kathmandu ValleyIntroduction Paragraph · Toxi.docxsimonlbentley59018
Air Pollution in Kathmandu Valley
Introduction Paragraph
· Toxic air in Kathmandu valley will shorten the life of newly born children by two years according to the report on global exposure to air pollution and its diseases by US- based Health Effects Institute.
· Give a little background of pollution in Kathmandu valley and how it has been always a concern for people living in the Kathmandu valley.
· Thesis- To add some plans and implement the National Pollution Control Strategy and Action Plan (NPCSAP) to reduce the air pollution in Kathmandu valley.
Problem Part
First paragraph =The air pollution of Kathmandu valley is getting worse in the present context than before, and is a problem that must be taken care of.
· With the area of only 19.69 sq. miles, Kathmandu valley has been densely populated with the population of 1,376,108 in 2019
· With the population growth, haphazard urbanization and rapid increase in the number of private vehicles, the quality of air is degrading day by day.
· Environmental Performance Index is the careful measure of environmental trends and issue covering environment health and ecosystem vitality measure by the Yale Center of Environmental Law and Policy with the collaboration of Yale research university, Columbia University, and World economic Forum. According to the EPI results of 2018, Nepal ranks 176 out of 180 countries with Kathmandu being one of the most polluted city of Nepal.
· Furthermore, Kathmandu lies in the third rank of being the most polluted city of Asia according to the report by 2016 Numbeo-Numbeo is the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide. Numbeo provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution. .
· Particulate Matter is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and inorganic substances suspended in the air. The PM(10) and PM(2.5) measure of Kathmandu valley according to the report of WHO was 88 μg/m3 and 49 μg/m3 which are very high than the standard PM measure. According to the WHO Air quality guidelines values, the standard value of PM(10) and PM(2.5) is 20 and 10 μg/m3
· Data have shown that in 2000/1, number of registered vehicles was 24,003 and by 2015/16 it has increased to 7, 79,822. This shows an increment by more than 32 times in the last one and a half decade. Approximately 67 percent of Particulate matter is supplied by vehicular emission in Kathmandu valley
· There are more than 200 brick kilns operating in Kathmandu valley, which is degrading the quality of air day by day. According to the report from Health Research and Social Development Forum, there are 3 times more PM in air when the brick is operating in comparison to when brick kilns are not operating.
Second Paragraph: The air pollution is adversely affecting the health of people in Kathmandu valley and hence is a great problem.
· New f.
Assessment of Variation in Concentration of Air Pollutants Within Monitoring ...IRJET Journal
This document summarizes a study that assessed variation in air pollutant concentration across 12 monitoring stations in Mumbai, India. The study analyzed monthly pollution data from 2020-2021 for 7 pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, NH3, SO2, CO, ozone) from the Central Pollution Control Board. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Tukey's HSD post-hoc test identified pairs of stations without significant differences in pollutant concentrations across all 7 pollutants. This analysis could help identify redundant monitoring stations. The study also used logistic regression to predict air quality class based on factors like tree cover, population density, temperature, and more.
This document examines how air monitoring is used in Ontario to assess local air quality issues. It conducted interviews with Ministry of Environment staff, municipalities, public health units, and others involved in air monitoring. It finds interest in using air monitoring to inform land use and transportation planning by validating models, measuring background levels, and assessing specific locations. However, air monitoring is seen as an expensive tool best used complementarily with modelling. There is no consensus around responsibility for comprehensive local airshed assessments. The document recommends the Ministry of Environment provide support and resources to public health units and municipalities for priority air monitoring studies to inform decision-making.
At the 2014 annual Dispersion Modellers user group meeting guest speaker Christine McHugh spoke on the topic: 'Comparison of Air Quality in World Cities'
Ambient air pollution levels in many Eastern Mediterranean countries exceed WHO guidelines. Air pollution is estimated to cause 400,000 annual deaths in the region, with particulate matter being the main pollutant of concern. Indoor air pollution from solid fuel use also causes around 200,000 annual deaths. Key sources of air pollution include transportation, power generation, industry, and household fuel burning. Addressing air pollution requires improved monitoring, research on health impacts, raising public awareness, and multi-sectoral cooperation between health and other sectors. WHO plans to work with countries in the region to develop a tailored action plan to reduce air pollution and its health effects.
Dr Xiangyu Sheng AQCC Temple RTCA 27Sept2022 slides.pdfIES / IAQM
This document discusses approaches to assessing air quality and climate change impacts in an integrated and holistic manner. It provides an overview of key policies and targets relating to air quality, climate change mitigation and adaptation in the UK. It also outlines examples of how impacts may be assessed for a transport project, including evaluating options, modeling air quality impacts, assessing construction impacts, quantifying carbon, and ensuring climate resilience. The goal is to identify opportunities to reduce emissions and increase sustainability across all stages of a project's lifecycle.
The London LEZ - An Economic EvaluationIsobel Daley
The document provides an economic evaluation of the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) introduced in 2008 to improve air quality by charging vehicles that do not meet emissions standards. It presents empirical analysis of the costs and benefits of the LEZ between 2008-2014. The analysis quantifies air quality improvements from the LEZ and estimates the costs of vehicle replacement, modification, paying the charge, and avoiding the zone - the main behavioural responses of affected drivers. It finds that while the LEZ accelerated the adoption of green technology, the air quality improvements did not justify the high costs of compliance, indicating the scheme failed to achieve its objectives.
Some thoughts on future air quality issues - Professor Martin WilliamsIES / IAQM
Professor Martin Williams discusses several issues related to future air quality in the UK and Europe. He outlines challenges in meeting commitments in the UK Clean Air Strategy and uncertainties around the effectiveness of clean air zones and real-world vehicle emissions. Williams also notes potential antagonisms between climate change policies aimed at reducing CO2 and air quality if measures like increased biomass burning are not properly managed. He summarizes upcoming changes to WHO air quality guidelines and uncertainties following Brexit regarding environmental regulations and oversight.
This document provides recommendations for including land take and soil properties in impact assessment procedures. It begins with an overview of land use trends in Europe, noting that while land take and soil sealing have increased overall, the rate of increase has slowed in recent years except in new EU countries. The document then discusses strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment procedures in EU countries and existing shortcomings. It concludes by recommending European policy actions to promote more sustainable land use, general improvements to assessment procedures, and composite recommendations to improve SEA regulations specifically. The overall aim is to better limit land take and soil sealing by including their assessment in the planning process before decisions are made.
EnvEcon 2015 - Air Pollutant Marginal Damage Values Guidebook for Ireland DSS 1J. Andrew Kelly
This guidebook estimates the marginal damage values of five air pollutants in Ireland: nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, non-methane volatile organics, and particulate matter. It finds the total health costs of air pollution in Ireland to exceed €2 billion annually, with over 700 premature deaths. The values are intended to incorporate the external costs of air pollution into policy analyses, but are conservative due to data limitations."
This document summarizes a study on the role of cycling in improving urban air quality in European cities. It finds that cycling measures can help reduce emissions and improve air quality when implemented as part of a comprehensive package of measures aimed at reducing road traffic and private motor vehicle use. The study reviews case studies of cities that have promoted cycling and estimates the potential impacts of increased cycling on emissions and air quality in three cities. It concludes that mode shift measures like promoting cycling can provide air quality benefits but are unlikely to be sufficient alone to meet all EU air quality standards, and require complementary technical and policy measures to maximize their effectiveness in improving public health.
This document provides a template for specifying requirements for a financial data warehouse project. The template includes sections for introduction, purpose, project summary, requirements definition, considerations, and a document change log. The project summary section provides an executive overview with objectives, scope, references, and outstanding issues. The requirements definition section outlines goals, usability requirements, security requirements, business questions, data requirements, and design constraints. The purpose is to help define and document the project scope and requirements.
The PRD describes the product your company will build. The purpose is to clearly and unambiguously articulate the product’s purpose, features, functionality, and behavior.
See enhanced version of this (https://www.slideshare.net/ujjwaltrivedi/prd-template-for-product-managers). A sample product requirement document draft for mobile apps. It can also be used for quick wireframing and estimates of any kind of software. It should generally be a useful tool for business analysts, product managers, pre sales consultants. It is modern, complete and agile.
The document discusses the product requirements document (PRD), which is created after the market requirements document (MRD) and business requirements document (BRD) to define the purpose, features, and functionality of a product before the technical requirements document (TRD) is made. A PRD typically includes descriptions of the product, its expected use, how it addresses market problems and needs. It allows a company to understand what a product should do and how it should work for any type of product. The document provides an example PRD for software and discusses best practices for creating a high-quality PRD, common mistakes to avoid, and that the focus should always be on delivering value to customers.
This document provides business requirements for upgrading an existing mobile banking system (T System 1.0) to a new version (T System 2.0). Key points include:
- The goals are to detail requirements, provide an operational overview, and describe business processes and scenarios.
- Customer operations involve mobile banking across 4 Asian countries managed through a central data bank.
- The current system provides functions like user profile, account views, funds transfer, and reports.
- An upgrade is needed because adding credit card services requires more robust security and the existing system is difficult to enhance.
- The new system will provide mobile banking for 4 countries beginning in mid-2020 and include credit card services.
PM 2.5 - meeting the WHO guidelines values - Claire HolmanIES / IAQM
Brook Cottage Consultants Ltd is an expert in air quality management that provides consulting services. The document discusses achieving the WHO guideline value of 10 μg/m3 for PM2.5 levels by 2030. Modeling shows it is technically feasible for most of the UK to meet this level through emission reductions, though London may still exceed 10 μg/m3 without additional measures. There is uncertainty in predicting future levels, but current commitments and strategies could significantly lower population exposure. The WHO may set more stringent long-term PM2.5 guidelines in 2020.
IRJET - Air Quality Index – A Study to Assess the Air QualityIRJET Journal
This document discusses a study on assessing air quality in Delhi, India using the Air Quality Index (AQI). It provides background on air pollution and the importance of measuring AQI. The study calculates daily AQI values over three years for Delhi based on concentrations of pollutants like NO2, SO2, SPM and RSPM. The results show AQI values were regularly unhealthy around 200. SPM and RSPM correlated most strongly with AQI, suggesting they are major contributors to air pollution. Stricter measures are needed to address rising levels of particulate matter and improve air quality.
This document discusses air pollution indices and how they are used. Air pollution indices transform weighted air pollution parameter values like SPM, SO2, CO, NO2, O3, and hydrocarbons into a single number to simply and clearly indicate the air quality level. They inform the public about daily pollution changes, help compare cities, and evaluate enforcement policies. Common calculation methods include relating parameters to standards, averaging ratios to standards, and assigning sub-index values within parameter ranges. Air pollution indices provide a useful way to track air quality changes and facilitate comparisons.
Air Pollution in Kathmandu ValleyIntroduction Paragraph · Toxi.docxsimonlbentley59018
Air Pollution in Kathmandu Valley
Introduction Paragraph
· Toxic air in Kathmandu valley will shorten the life of newly born children by two years according to the report on global exposure to air pollution and its diseases by US- based Health Effects Institute.
· Give a little background of pollution in Kathmandu valley and how it has been always a concern for people living in the Kathmandu valley.
· Thesis- To add some plans and implement the National Pollution Control Strategy and Action Plan (NPCSAP) to reduce the air pollution in Kathmandu valley.
Problem Part
First paragraph =The air pollution of Kathmandu valley is getting worse in the present context than before, and is a problem that must be taken care of.
· With the area of only 19.69 sq. miles, Kathmandu valley has been densely populated with the population of 1,376,108 in 2019
· With the population growth, haphazard urbanization and rapid increase in the number of private vehicles, the quality of air is degrading day by day.
· Environmental Performance Index is the careful measure of environmental trends and issue covering environment health and ecosystem vitality measure by the Yale Center of Environmental Law and Policy with the collaboration of Yale research university, Columbia University, and World economic Forum. According to the EPI results of 2018, Nepal ranks 176 out of 180 countries with Kathmandu being one of the most polluted city of Nepal.
· Furthermore, Kathmandu lies in the third rank of being the most polluted city of Asia according to the report by 2016 Numbeo-Numbeo is the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide. Numbeo provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution. .
· Particulate Matter is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and inorganic substances suspended in the air. The PM(10) and PM(2.5) measure of Kathmandu valley according to the report of WHO was 88 μg/m3 and 49 μg/m3 which are very high than the standard PM measure. According to the WHO Air quality guidelines values, the standard value of PM(10) and PM(2.5) is 20 and 10 μg/m3
· Data have shown that in 2000/1, number of registered vehicles was 24,003 and by 2015/16 it has increased to 7, 79,822. This shows an increment by more than 32 times in the last one and a half decade. Approximately 67 percent of Particulate matter is supplied by vehicular emission in Kathmandu valley
· There are more than 200 brick kilns operating in Kathmandu valley, which is degrading the quality of air day by day. According to the report from Health Research and Social Development Forum, there are 3 times more PM in air when the brick is operating in comparison to when brick kilns are not operating.
Second Paragraph: The air pollution is adversely affecting the health of people in Kathmandu valley and hence is a great problem.
· New f.
Assessment of Variation in Concentration of Air Pollutants Within Monitoring ...IRJET Journal
This document summarizes a study that assessed variation in air pollutant concentration across 12 monitoring stations in Mumbai, India. The study analyzed monthly pollution data from 2020-2021 for 7 pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, NH3, SO2, CO, ozone) from the Central Pollution Control Board. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Tukey's HSD post-hoc test identified pairs of stations without significant differences in pollutant concentrations across all 7 pollutants. This analysis could help identify redundant monitoring stations. The study also used logistic regression to predict air quality class based on factors like tree cover, population density, temperature, and more.
This document examines how air monitoring is used in Ontario to assess local air quality issues. It conducted interviews with Ministry of Environment staff, municipalities, public health units, and others involved in air monitoring. It finds interest in using air monitoring to inform land use and transportation planning by validating models, measuring background levels, and assessing specific locations. However, air monitoring is seen as an expensive tool best used complementarily with modelling. There is no consensus around responsibility for comprehensive local airshed assessments. The document recommends the Ministry of Environment provide support and resources to public health units and municipalities for priority air monitoring studies to inform decision-making.
At the 2014 annual Dispersion Modellers user group meeting guest speaker Christine McHugh spoke on the topic: 'Comparison of Air Quality in World Cities'
Ambient air pollution levels in many Eastern Mediterranean countries exceed WHO guidelines. Air pollution is estimated to cause 400,000 annual deaths in the region, with particulate matter being the main pollutant of concern. Indoor air pollution from solid fuel use also causes around 200,000 annual deaths. Key sources of air pollution include transportation, power generation, industry, and household fuel burning. Addressing air pollution requires improved monitoring, research on health impacts, raising public awareness, and multi-sectoral cooperation between health and other sectors. WHO plans to work with countries in the region to develop a tailored action plan to reduce air pollution and its health effects.
Dr Xiangyu Sheng AQCC Temple RTCA 27Sept2022 slides.pdfIES / IAQM
This document discusses approaches to assessing air quality and climate change impacts in an integrated and holistic manner. It provides an overview of key policies and targets relating to air quality, climate change mitigation and adaptation in the UK. It also outlines examples of how impacts may be assessed for a transport project, including evaluating options, modeling air quality impacts, assessing construction impacts, quantifying carbon, and ensuring climate resilience. The goal is to identify opportunities to reduce emissions and increase sustainability across all stages of a project's lifecycle.
The London LEZ - An Economic EvaluationIsobel Daley
The document provides an economic evaluation of the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) introduced in 2008 to improve air quality by charging vehicles that do not meet emissions standards. It presents empirical analysis of the costs and benefits of the LEZ between 2008-2014. The analysis quantifies air quality improvements from the LEZ and estimates the costs of vehicle replacement, modification, paying the charge, and avoiding the zone - the main behavioural responses of affected drivers. It finds that while the LEZ accelerated the adoption of green technology, the air quality improvements did not justify the high costs of compliance, indicating the scheme failed to achieve its objectives.
Some thoughts on future air quality issues - Professor Martin WilliamsIES / IAQM
Professor Martin Williams discusses several issues related to future air quality in the UK and Europe. He outlines challenges in meeting commitments in the UK Clean Air Strategy and uncertainties around the effectiveness of clean air zones and real-world vehicle emissions. Williams also notes potential antagonisms between climate change policies aimed at reducing CO2 and air quality if measures like increased biomass burning are not properly managed. He summarizes upcoming changes to WHO air quality guidelines and uncertainties following Brexit regarding environmental regulations and oversight.
This document provides recommendations for including land take and soil properties in impact assessment procedures. It begins with an overview of land use trends in Europe, noting that while land take and soil sealing have increased overall, the rate of increase has slowed in recent years except in new EU countries. The document then discusses strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment procedures in EU countries and existing shortcomings. It concludes by recommending European policy actions to promote more sustainable land use, general improvements to assessment procedures, and composite recommendations to improve SEA regulations specifically. The overall aim is to better limit land take and soil sealing by including their assessment in the planning process before decisions are made.
EnvEcon 2015 - Air Pollutant Marginal Damage Values Guidebook for Ireland DSS 1J. Andrew Kelly
This guidebook estimates the marginal damage values of five air pollutants in Ireland: nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, non-methane volatile organics, and particulate matter. It finds the total health costs of air pollution in Ireland to exceed €2 billion annually, with over 700 premature deaths. The values are intended to incorporate the external costs of air pollution into policy analyses, but are conservative due to data limitations."
This document summarizes a study on the role of cycling in improving urban air quality in European cities. It finds that cycling measures can help reduce emissions and improve air quality when implemented as part of a comprehensive package of measures aimed at reducing road traffic and private motor vehicle use. The study reviews case studies of cities that have promoted cycling and estimates the potential impacts of increased cycling on emissions and air quality in three cities. It concludes that mode shift measures like promoting cycling can provide air quality benefits but are unlikely to be sufficient alone to meet all EU air quality standards, and require complementary technical and policy measures to maximize their effectiveness in improving public health.
Long-Term Weather Behaviour - Asia FocusMitch Leung
A quantitative and qualitative study on the impacts of long-term weather behaviour and its impact on air quality and climate change. The study takes into account of data from India and China.
This is a presentation of the ‘Air quality in Europe – 2013 report’. The report presents an overview and analysis of air quality in Europe from 2002 to 2011. It reviews progress towards meeting the requirements of the air quality directives and gives an overview of policies and measures introduced at European level to improve air quality and minimise impacts. An overview of the latest findings and estimates of the effects of air pollution on health and its impacts on ecosystems is also given
Air Pollution and Climate Change Investment Bondseric keogh
Green in The City - Green Bonds for Clean Air and Climate Change
Overview Transport is the number-one source of air pollution in cities, causing serious problems to human health, the economy, climate and the environment. Current approaches to reducing transport emissions have not led to the desired results, leaving city regulators with challenges of protecting the health and wellbeing of their residents. The Air Quality & Transport (AQT) Green Bond provides public authorities and investors with exciting opportunities to capitalize on clean transport projects that monitor, manage and reduce emissions. Returns on investment are maximized through economic benefits of improved public health and economic productivity, climate change mitigation and reduced public expenditure on transport-related externalities. The AQT Bond is particularly suitable for cities wanting to take global leadership on air quality management and climate change mitigation, providing win-win-win solutions that benefits people, the economy, climate and the environment.
This document summarizes a study analyzing strategies to reduce both air pollution and greenhouse gases in Mexico City. Key points:
1) It develops a database of emissions reduction options from Mexico City's air quality plan and greenhouse gas studies to allow analyzing joint management of pollutants.
2) It implements linear programming and goal programming models to identify lowest-cost strategies for meeting multiple pollutant reduction targets.
3) Analysis finds air quality plan could reduce CO2 3.1% and greenhouse gas measures could reduce CO2 8.7%, though local pollutant reductions are more modest from greenhouse measures.
4) Linear programming allows lowering costs of air quality plan by 20% and achieving greenhouse gas reductions at lower
National Air Quality Strategy: IAQM Committee’s View by Dr Claire HolmanIES / IAQM
The document discusses the Institute of Air Quality Management Committee's views on what should be included in the UK's upcoming National Clean Air Strategy. Key points discussed include:
1) Ensuring the strategy aligns UK and EU air quality legislation and establishes independent oversight of policy effectiveness after Brexit.
2) Setting exposure reduction targets in addition to air quality standards to better protect public health.
3) Providing clear plans and timelines to meet emission ceilings for particulate matter and ammonia from sectors like transportation, agriculture, and domestic burning.
4) Strengthening the planning system to give more weight to air quality considerations in development.
5) Committing to continued research on air pollution sources,
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL course material by Prof S S JAHAGIRDAR,NKOCET,SOLAPUR for BE (CIVIL ) students of Solapur university. Content will be also useful for SHIVAJI and PUNE university students
Similar to Tesfaldet recommendation for prd draft document (20)
Escape 24 biomass power plant with integrated drying-effective utilization of...Tesfaldet Gebregerges
This document describes several options for integrating biomass drying into a biomass power plant to improve energy efficiency. The base case power plant using empty fruit bunches achieves 20.08% efficiency. Integrating a hot air dryer increases efficiency to 27.36% by drying the biomass from 70% to 4.5% moisture. A multi-stage drying system using hot air and steam dryers further increases efficiency to 29.92% by drying biomass to 4.5% moisture. Integrating a flue gas dryer achieves 24.76% efficiency and reduces biomass moisture to 57.4%. The analysis shows that biomass drying integration can significantly improve the overall energy efficiency of biomass power generation.
Escape 24 biomass power plant with integrated drying-effective utilization of...Tesfaldet Gebregerges
This document describes integrating biomass drying into a biomass power plant to improve efficiency. It analyzes a base case power plant and three drying options: a hot air dryer, a two-stage hot air and steam dryer, and a flue gas dryer. The two-stage dryer using low pressure steam achieved the highest efficiency of 29.92% with a dried biomass feed of 31,576 kg/hr and final moisture content of 4.5%. Integrating drying recovers waste heat and increases the overall plant efficiency compared to the base case.
This document summarizes a seminar on optimizing biomass drying for combustion. [1] Biomass comes from various sources like wood, waste, and algae and is dried to increase its heating value before combustion. [2] A model was developed to analyze drying kinetics and optimize drying time, rate, energy needs. [3] Experiments using thermogravimetric analysis characterized wood drying and the model was used to evaluate design parameters and maximize annual profit from a drying process.
This document discusses optimizing municipal solid waste (MSW) feed for waste-to-energy practices. It analyzes the characteristics of waste materials from a pulp and paper mill, including moisture content, ash content, calorific value, and elemental composition. The goal is to produce a blended MSW fuel with high and consistent calorific value that is suitable for combustion in waste-to-energy plants. Mathematical models are used to predict the calorific value of blended waste samples based on their physical and chemical properties. The blending is optimized to maximize energy output while meeting standards for emissions and combustion stability.
This document summarizes a CFD study on fluidized bed pyrolyzers. The study used two models: 1) a particle pyrolysis model to simulate wood pyrolysis kinetics and heat transfer, and 2) a reactor model in ANSYS FLUENT to model secondary reactions in a fluidized bed. The models examined the effects of feedstock size, fluidized gas temperature, and vapor residence time on liquid fraction yield. The results showed that fluidized gas temperature has a more critical impact than residence time on secondary reactions. Downward vapor flow along the reactor wall was also observed and should be considered in design. The models provide insights into reducing secondary reactions to maximize liquid yield in fluidized bed pyrolysis.
1. The document summarizes a study on modeling and analyzing the pyrolysis of waste bamboo. Experiments were conducted to understand the effects of process parameters like particle size, heating rate, and temperature on pyrolysis performance.
2. A kinetic model was developed to simulate waste bamboo pyrolysis. The model considers heat transfer, particle shrinkage, and reactor conditions. It was used to study different operating strategies.
3. Results show that mass residue increases with sample weight due to increased mass transfer barriers. Higher heating rates and temperatures lead to more devolatilization but require more energy. Mixed particle sizes reduce energy usage but lower processing rates compared to individual particle sizes.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technologies, XML continues to play a vital role in structuring, storing, and transporting data across diverse systems. The recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) present new methodologies for enhancing XML development workflows, introducing efficiency, automation, and intelligent capabilities. This presentation will outline the scope and perspective of utilizing AI in XML development. The potential benefits and the possible pitfalls will be highlighted, providing a balanced view of the subject.
We will explore the capabilities of AI in understanding XML markup languages and autonomously creating structured XML content. Additionally, we will examine the capacity of AI to enrich plain text with appropriate XML markup. Practical examples and methodological guidelines will be provided to elucidate how AI can be effectively prompted to interpret and generate accurate XML markup.
Further emphasis will be placed on the role of AI in developing XSLT, or schemas such as XSD and Schematron. We will address the techniques and strategies adopted to create prompts for generating code, explaining code, or refactoring the code, and the results achieved.
The discussion will extend to how AI can be used to transform XML content. In particular, the focus will be on the use of AI XPath extension functions in XSLT, Schematron, Schematron Quick Fixes, or for XML content refactoring.
The presentation aims to deliver a comprehensive overview of AI usage in XML development, providing attendees with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions. Whether you’re at the early stages of adopting AI or considering integrating it in advanced XML development, this presentation will cover all levels of expertise.
By highlighting the potential advantages and challenges of integrating AI with XML development tools and languages, the presentation seeks to inspire thoughtful conversation around the future of XML development. We’ll not only delve into the technical aspects of AI-powered XML development but also discuss practical implications and possible future directions.
Unlocking Productivity: Leveraging the Potential of Copilot in Microsoft 365, a presentation by Christoforos Vlachos, Senior Solutions Manager – Modern Workplace, Uni Systems
In his public lecture, Christian Timmerer provides insights into the fascinating history of video streaming, starting from its humble beginnings before YouTube to the groundbreaking technologies that now dominate platforms like Netflix and ORF ON. Timmerer also presents provocative contributions of his own that have significantly influenced the industry. He concludes by looking at future challenges and invites the audience to join in a discussion.
Climate Impact of Software Testing at Nordic Testing DaysKari Kakkonen
My slides at Nordic Testing Days 6.6.2024
Climate impact / sustainability of software testing discussed on the talk. ICT and testing must carry their part of global responsibility to help with the climat warming. We can minimize the carbon footprint but we can also have a carbon handprint, a positive impact on the climate. Quality characteristics can be added with sustainability, and then measured continuously. Test environments can be used less, and in smaller scale and on demand. Test techniques can be used in optimizing or minimizing number of tests. Test automation can be used to speed up testing.
How to Get CNIC Information System with Paksim Ga.pptxdanishmna97
Pakdata Cf is a groundbreaking system designed to streamline and facilitate access to CNIC information. This innovative platform leverages advanced technology to provide users with efficient and secure access to their CNIC details.
Communications Mining Series - Zero to Hero - Session 1DianaGray10
This session provides introduction to UiPath Communication Mining, importance and platform overview. You will acquire a good understand of the phases in Communication Mining as we go over the platform with you. Topics covered:
• Communication Mining Overview
• Why is it important?
• How can it help today’s business and the benefits
• Phases in Communication Mining
• Demo on Platform overview
• Q/A
Infrastructure Challenges in Scaling RAG with Custom AI modelsZilliz
Building Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems with open-source and custom AI models is a complex task. This talk explores the challenges in productionizing RAG systems, including retrieval performance, response synthesis, and evaluation. We’ll discuss how to leverage open-source models like text embeddings, language models, and custom fine-tuned models to enhance RAG performance. Additionally, we’ll cover how BentoML can help orchestrate and scale these AI components efficiently, ensuring seamless deployment and management of RAG systems in the cloud.
Full-RAG: A modern architecture for hyper-personalizationZilliz
Mike Del Balso, CEO & Co-Founder at Tecton, presents "Full RAG," a novel approach to AI recommendation systems, aiming to push beyond the limitations of traditional models through a deep integration of contextual insights and real-time data, leveraging the Retrieval-Augmented Generation architecture. This talk will outline Full RAG's potential to significantly enhance personalization, address engineering challenges such as data management and model training, and introduce data enrichment with reranking as a key solution. Attendees will gain crucial insights into the importance of hyperpersonalization in AI, the capabilities of Full RAG for advanced personalization, and strategies for managing complex data integrations for deploying cutting-edge AI solutions.
Maruthi Prithivirajan, Head of ASEAN & IN Solution Architecture, Neo4j
Get an inside look at the latest Neo4j innovations that enable relationship-driven intelligence at scale. Learn more about the newest cloud integrations and product enhancements that make Neo4j an essential choice for developers building apps with interconnected data and generative AI.
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 6DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 6. In this session, we will cover Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI.
UiPath Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI webinar offers an in-depth exploration of leveraging cutting-edge technologies for test automation within the UiPath platform. Attendees will delve into the integration of generative AI, a test automation solution, with Open AI advanced natural language processing capabilities.
Throughout the session, participants will discover how this synergy empowers testers to automate repetitive tasks, enhance testing accuracy, and expedite the software testing life cycle. Topics covered include the seamless integration process, practical use cases, and the benefits of harnessing AI-driven automation for UiPath testing initiatives. By attending this webinar, testers, and automation professionals can gain valuable insights into harnessing the power of AI to optimize their test automation workflows within the UiPath ecosystem, ultimately driving efficiency and quality in software development processes.
What will you get from this session?
1. Insights into integrating generative AI.
2. Understanding how this integration enhances test automation within the UiPath platform
3. Practical demonstrations
4. Exploration of real-world use cases illustrating the benefits of AI-driven test automation for UiPath
Topics covered:
What is generative AI
Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI.
UiPath integration with generative AI
Speaker:
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
Threats to mobile devices are more prevalent and increasing in scope and complexity. Users of mobile devices desire to take full advantage of the features
available on those devices, but many of the features provide convenience and capability but sacrifice security. This best practices guide outlines steps the users can take to better protect personal devices and information.
TrustArc Webinar - 2024 Global Privacy SurveyTrustArc
How does your privacy program stack up against your peers? What challenges are privacy teams tackling and prioritizing in 2024?
In the fifth annual Global Privacy Benchmarks Survey, we asked over 1,800 global privacy professionals and business executives to share their perspectives on the current state of privacy inside and outside of their organizations. This year’s report focused on emerging areas of importance for privacy and compliance professionals, including considerations and implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, building brand trust, and different approaches for achieving higher privacy competence scores.
See how organizational priorities and strategic approaches to data security and privacy are evolving around the globe.
This webinar will review:
- The top 10 privacy insights from the fifth annual Global Privacy Benchmarks Survey
- The top challenges for privacy leaders, practitioners, and organizations in 2024
- Key themes to consider in developing and maintaining your privacy program
Observability Concepts EVERY Developer Should Know -- DeveloperWeek Europe.pdfPaige Cruz
Monitoring and observability aren’t traditionally found in software curriculums and many of us cobble this knowledge together from whatever vendor or ecosystem we were first introduced to and whatever is a part of your current company’s observability stack.
While the dev and ops silo continues to crumble….many organizations still relegate monitoring & observability as the purview of ops, infra and SRE teams. This is a mistake - achieving a highly observable system requires collaboration up and down the stack.
I, a former op, would like to extend an invitation to all application developers to join the observability party will share these foundational concepts to build on:
2. 2
"Comments on Regional Cooperation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area-
Air quality management perspective"=Item 16
Gebreegziabher Tesfaldet
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
correspondence to
tgaa@ust.hk
Summary
Maintaining air quality at permissible level is the best instrument in safeguarding the
public health in both developing and developed nations. Currently countries are either
developed or in the process of developing air quality management policy frameworks for
keeping the air in their territories as safe as to sustain the life of their citizens. As part of
the global efforts and cross boundary nature of air quality , the regional governments of
Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao jointly drafted a cooperation plan for green quality
living in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. The joint plan is in its early stage without air
quality standards and needs feedback from all communities and stakeholders who dream
quality living in this region . As the joint plan lacks subjective items that define quality of
living like standard air quality values, the air quality management of the European union
is considered as benchmark and possible area of intervention is forwarded as to be the
guide line of the proposed joint cooperation plan of the PRD region.
1. Air pollution and health
According to the World health organization (WHO) fact sheet air pollution is listed as
major risk to health and 1.3 million deaths worldwide per year are caused by outdoor air
pollutions. The number of deaths emanated from poor air quality can be reduced to large
extent if there is a mechanism of reducing levels of air pollution. For example about 15%
reduction in deaths related to air pollution can be achieved by reducing particulate matter
(PM10) concentration from 70 to 20 µg/m3 [1] .Hence to maintain the health of the public at
the safest side it is mandatory to keep the air quality at levels that doesn't have an impact
on health. To effect this, as air pollution is beyond the control of the individuals, public
3. 3
authorities should harmonize and draft control strategies for keeping the public health at
the safest side .
In light of the aforementioned reality the regional governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong
and Macao jointly drafted a cooperation plan for green quality living in the region. The
parties are envisioned to transform the greater PRD region in to an ideal city cluster of
green and quality living by implementing appropriate policies. While green represents an
area that aims at protecting environmental safety. Quality of living is related to people
perception and may have different connotations depending on age and gender. If quality of
living is expressed with criteria and value, it is obvious that certain criteria of quality of
living will have different value at a given moment. Hence for creating quality of living in a
given city it is important to know the level qualitatively. This means if there is numerical
value that can express the quality of living it is possible to evaluate the performance on
time bases.
2. Subjective Quality of Living
Maintaining quality of living is not simple as it encompasses so many interlinked
parameters and it requires maintaining the target values of this parameters to the best
satisfaction of the community in which it is defined. The New York city based human
resource and related financial consulting firm Mercer has designed an objective way of
measuring quality of living for cities based on factors that people perceive representative of
quality of living. Based on the interaction of political, socio-economic and environmental
factors of a given location Mercer defines 10 key categories and 39 criteria or factors, each
having values reflecting their relative importance for what is defined quality of living [2].
Air pollution is a criteria under the Medical and Health key category. Once a year based on
the pre-formulated factors Mercer carries out an assessment of quality of living and
accordingly ranks worldwide cities. This year’s cities was ranked based on water
availability and drinkability, waste removal, quality of sewage systems, air pollution and
traffic congestion and according to the results European cities are in the top 25.
4. 4
3.Regional Cooperation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area
The regional plan jointly issued by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for quality living
covers five cooperation directions namely : natural resources and the environment, mode
of economic development, public services and livelihood issues, spatial development, and
transportation services[3]. The five major areas issued by the joint authorities are parts
and parcel of the measurable factors set by Mercer. Moreover, the areas within the
proposal cover almost all aspects of social development in the region. Hence can be
regarded as frame work for sustainable development if they include subjective aspects like
the analysis of cities done by Mercer as the performance of the factors can be measured on
yearly bases. However the joint plan is generalized and doesn't put target numerical values
and can be regarded as its major drawback. Most of the issues raised by the authorities can
be achievable either jointly or separately by the partners by adopting benchmarks or good
practices within the conceptual framework of the quality of living. But the subdivisions like
air and water pollution issues within the major areas have cross boarder implications
hence there should be a concrete standards and targets which is common for all the
partners. Though it is difficult to adopt directly air quality management standards or
targets of a given country to this region, it is wise to propose a methodology that can be
used as a guideline standard for the intended regional cooperation.
4.Benchmarking the EU air quality management
The European union air quality management and standards are used as benchmarks due to
the following reasons:
1. The EU is not a single state and the air quality management practices can be adopted
with modification for green quality living in the greater Pearl River Delta.
2. The EU cities are within top 25 cities in the Mercer's quality living index and can be
regarded as fair benchmark cities.
3. Air quality management is a cross boundary issue and the EU air quality
management addresses issues that have cross boundary implications.
4. The EU directives are designed based on the WHO air quality guidelines (AQGs) in
which priority is given to human health and can be a platform for the proposed
regional cooperation in PRD.
5. 5
4.1 System used in the European union
The European Union air quality management sets air quality limit values (AQLVs) for SO2 ,
NO2,carbon monoxide, ozone, lead and particulates for assessing qualities throughout
Europe. The planning requirement of EU depends on the air quality limit values. The union
formulated an Air Quality Framework Directive (AQFD) which aims at establishing a
synchronized air quality management. More over the union has an autonomous body,
European Environment agency, that collects and publishes air quality data of partner
states , and also takes enforcement action to a member state that doesn't complain with
the obligation of the union[4]. In this respect states are subjected to maintain quality levels
within their territories and at the same time should obey the standards to meet the overall
EU air quality management. The details of the quality standard is given in table 1.
4.2 System used in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong government set Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) for seven air pollutants
namely SO2,suspended particulates(PM10 & PM2.5), NO2, ozone, carbon monoxide and lead
based on international standards .The air quality objectives was derived from the US
standards and not associated with relationships between pollutant concentrations in air
and its associated health effect and it applies to the whole territory. The air quality
monitoring is operated by the Air Science Group of the Environmental Protection
Department . The air quality management policy objective is to achieve reasonably
practicable level of air quality and to promote the conservation and best use of air in the
public interest[5]. According to the Air quality ordains of HK the AQOs may be reviewed
from time to time to include a wider range of air pollutants and, if necessary, to tighten the
standards taking into account international developments for better protection of the
health and well being of the community. But there is no any major move on updating and
tightening of the standards once it was set long year back . The detail values or standards
are given in table 1 along with the EU and WHO standards for comparison.
6. 6
Pollutants Average
Period
Hong Kong a
EU b
WHO c
SO2 1hr 800 µg/m3
350 µg/m3
24hr 350 µg/m3
125 µg/m3
20 µg/m3
PM10 24hr 180 µg/m3
50 µg/m3
50 µg/m3
Annual 55 µg/m3
40 µg/m3
20 µg/m3
PM2.5 24hr --- ----- 25 µg/m3
Annual ---- 25 µg/m3
10 µg/m3
NO2 1hr 300 µg/m3
200 µg/m3
200 µg/m3
24hr 150 µg/m3
40 µg/m3
Ozone 1hr
HK/8hr
EU
240 µg/m3
120 µg/m3
100 µg/m3
24hr ----
CO 1hr
HK/3-mo
EU
30000 µg/m3
10 µg/m3
30000 µg/m3
Annual ------
Lead 3 moths
HK/1year
EU
1.5 µg/m3
0.5 µg/m3
0.5 µg/m3
(year)
Table-1-Air quality standards
Many of the limit values for the EU specially emissions of SO2,NO2,Lead and CO are defined
based on WHO air quality guideline levels. Whereas the limit values for lead and ozone are
based on health risk and feasibility assessment recommendations from technical work
groups. The standard limit values of the EU are close to the values provided by WHO.
Whereas the Hong Kong AQOs are far from the WHO air quality standards. This implies that
the associated health risk factor is apparent from the Hong Kong's air quality objective.
Hence in order to minimize the health risks and maintain quality living in greater PRD
progress towards the WHO guideline values should be the ultimate objective. As the
process to attain the level set by WHO is gradual it is better to follow the EU air quality
standards as a bridge.
a. Hong Kong Environmental protection Website
b. European commission Environment website
c. WHO website-Air Quality and Health
7. 7
5. Possible benchmarking areas
By considering the strongest sides of the EU air quality management the areas of
intervention for possible adoption are listed here under:
5.1 Air quality policy
The EU commission drafted an air quality policy framework with the objective to attain
levels of air quality that do not give rise to significant negative impacts on, and risks to
human health and the environment [6]. The policy contains directives and the so called
daughter directives and is a working document up to 2020 with regular updates. It puts
strict air quality limit values to be achieved by all EU member states for potential
pollutants. Accordingly member states are working to maintain the air quality standards
set by EU air quality management by taking different control measures. These include
controls over stationary sources, such as large combustion plants, industrial installations
and facilities using solvents. As far as mobile sources are concerned the EU implemented
an air quality management directive called Euro vehicle standards which requires vehicle
emissions to be lower than the specified values and also put standard for vehicle fuels. The
standards are dynamic in a way that the standard values are being incrementally tightened.
The EU followed strict air quality management policy and is achieving total pollutant
emission reeducation targets.
Figure -1-land based emissions of NECD pollutants d
d. Communication From the commission to the council and the European Parliament-thematic strategy
on Air pollution- (2005) EU ; NECD-national Emission Ceilings directive
8. 8
An air quality policy frame work is the first component in air quality management
practices. Limit values of the critical pollutants that have adverse effect on health are set
based on health impact assessment. Air is a natural resource shared by the partners within
PRD. It is vital, therefore, that the parties work collaboratively and develop a policy frame
work in which the standards are set based on health impact assessment. The policy frame
work should set also time frame and frequency of update for achieving the required air
quality standard for the proposed quality living. The partners should review their existing
air quality objectives and set a new and strict standards by taking the EU standard as bench
mark. As far is HK is concerned the air quality objectives are set in low targets and should
be revised as suitable to the parties with target year for achieving the goals.
5.2 Air Quality monitoring Network
To validate and follow up the implementation of the strict health based air quality
management policy a quality monitoring stations should be in place within the network.
There are close to 5,000 urban , and more than 800 regional pollution monitoring sites in
EU[7]. Taking Hong Kong as an example for the proposed cooperation, it has only 14
monitoring stations. The greater number of air quality monitoring site in EU is helpful for
providing more accurate picture of the air quality and facilitates the decision to be made to
improve air quality. Hence for quality of living in greater PRD the air quality monitoring
devices should be in place. This helps for ease access data and helpful for the parties to take
action in order to maintain the air quality.
5.3 Clean Fuels and Engine Technology
As vehicles are the major sources of air pollution emissions the EU drafted strict directives
for controlling emissions from this sector by using clean fuels or efficient engine
technologies. As fuels and vehicles are always together in a given system they must be
addressed jointly in the policy framework of the PRD. If the parties have to adopt the
European vehicle emission standards a comparison should also be done with the European
fuels as it is reference point for the standard. In addition to the fuel the PRD parties also
should give emphasis to researches on producing efficient engine technologies that result
in lower emissions.
9. 9
5.4 Involvement of society
The EU commission for the environment gathered public information during the
formulation and review time of the policy documents that are pertinent to air quality. As
public can put and force governments to act effectively their involvement is important
when drafting the cross-boundary air quality policy management document of the PRD.
5.5 Low emission zones
The European union defined low emission zones(LEZ) throughout Europe. The most
polluting vehicles are not allowed to enter the LEZ . Citizens have a mandate to check out
the emission characteristics of their vehicle before traveling to LEZ [8].The PRD parties can
independently draft low emission zones within their territories by creating awareness with
the public and introducing penalty or banning vehicles entering to this zones . Vessels are
also creating much air pollution concern in the greater PRD. Though the emission can be
controlled by using standard fuel , the emission control policy can be enhanced if the
parties jointly draft a strict policy document for reducing emissions by defining LEZ or no
travelling zone in the PRD waters.
10. 10
6.Conclusion
The proposed joint plan on quality living in the greater PRD is multidimensional in nature
with air quality being one of the indicators . Here an analysis on air pollution was made
based on the present status of the European union as guide line. The European union air
quality management practices are strict and have impressive out put on maintaining air
qualities that safeguard the public health. Furthermore it is a bridge between the present
standard of PRD region and standards given as guidelines by WHO, hence it is wise for the
PRD partners to adopt the standards with slight modifications. Benchmarking the EU air
quality policies will help the PRD to overhaul mistakes if committed in progress as there
are references on how the EU solved air quality related problems in their quest for Clean
air in Europe.
References
[1]. WHO Air quality and health Fact sheet ,2011 WHO data base.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/index.html
[2]. Defining Quality of Living, Mercer Human resource Consulting, 2007,Mercer.
http://www.imercer.com/uploads/common/pdfs/definingqualityofliving.pdf
[3].EPD website, Regional Cooperation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area
[4]. European commission Environment data base
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/standards.htm
[5]EPD Hong Kong website
http://www.epd-asg.gov.hk/english/backgd/hkaqo.html
[6]. Communication From the commission to the council and the European Parliament-
thematic strategy on Air pollution- (2005) EU
[7] . Air pollution monitoring in Europe: Problems and trends
http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/92-9167-058-8/page010.html
[8]. Low emission zones in Europe
http://www.lowemissionzones.eu/what-are-lezs--othermenu-32