Air Pollution: Health and Economics
By Eddy Aboudi
Introduction
Air pollution
levels are a concern due to toxins such as ultrafine particulate matter from
metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] and unburned oil droplets.
Toxicological data is still lacking in reference to nano-pollutants because
traditionally it has been difficult to measure. And, combustion processes
emitting gases such as oxides of nitrogen (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO) and
sulphur dioxide (SO2) are evident in the air. Exposure to air
pollution is a health hazard and has an impact on indoor ventilation costs when
natural ventilation is sufficient to maintain proper temperature and humidity
levels.
CO2 measurements have been taken in three naturally ventilated
vacant locations. Indicated are different results.
The first chart, at the top, was recorded on a tree-lined block near a park and
the river in the City of New York. It shows a low level of CO2. The
measurement does not indicate the toxins in the air, nor does it reveal the
sweet scent of cheery blossom trees.
The second measurement, in the center, had been taken in midtown Manhattan's
commercial district. A heavily trafficked area with offensive pungent odors
emanating from a restaurant's kitchen exhaust, in addition to an oil burner
boiler emitting smoke, soot and dust blowing onto neighboring office buildings.
The level of CO2 was relatively high. Opening up a window on a cool
summer evening caused unpleasant working conditions.
The third chart, at the bottom, had been recorded in a rural area In
Pennsylvania. It is about a half a mile away from a busy highway and near a
coal-fired power plant where yellow smoke could be seen pouring from its tall
chimney. Cars were covered with a film and pebbles of coal waste could be seen
in the yards. The levels of CO2 were the highest on record.
Air pollution causes acid rain, contributing to respiratory diseases. Since the
time of the Industrial Revolution, it has been evident that the air we breathe
has a direct impact on our health. The air quality in the United States has
improved since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, however, air pollution
still posses a threat to human health. In 2005, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) estimated that over 122 million Americans live in areas with poor
to marginal outdoor air quality. It's comparable to living in a third world
country.
Living and working in hazardous environments will require new methods of air
cleaning. Natural ventilation will reduce energy consumption. Air filters for
HVAC equipment and air purification equipment should be updated and upgraded
regularly. Planting trees and cleaning the air we breathe are a top priority.
References
www.EPA.gov
"Cleaning the Air at the Expense of
Waterways" by Charles Duhigg, New York Times, October 13, 2009, page
one.
Contact
Eddy Aboudi
contact@arielair.com
917-559-2307
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