Search results for "air pollution"

Spatio-temporal statistical methods in environmental and biometrical problems

2017

This is the editorial letter for the Special Issue dedicated to the VIII International Workshop on Spatio-temporal Modelling (METMAVIII) which took place in Valencia (Spain) from 1 to 3 June 2016, and to the second Galician-Portuguese meeting of Biometry, with applications to Health Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BIOAPP2016) held in Santiago de Compostela (Spain), 30–2 July 2016. This special issue summarises and discusses selected peer-reviewed contributions related to spatial and spatio-temporal statistical methodologies comprising both new methodological approaches and a wide range of applications related to environmental and biometrical problems. Point processes, lattice …

Modelling the Interaction between Air Pollutant Emissions and Their Key Sources in Poland

2021

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between key sources of air pollutant emissions (sources of energy production, factories which are particularly harmful to the environment, the fleets of cars, environmental protection expenditure) and the main environmental air pollution (SO2, NOx, CO and PM) in Poland. Models based on MLP neural networks were used as predictive models. Global sensitivity analysis was used to demonstrate the significant impact of individual network input variables on the output variable. To verify the effectiveness of the models created, the actual data were compared with the data obtained through modelling. Projected courses of changes in t…

A new tool to process forecast meteorological data for atmospheric pollution dispersion simulations of accident scenarios: A Sicily-based case study

2021

Emergency response plans to mitigate the severity of the accidental release of hazardous compounds in the air have become a primary concern in view of the many adverse events occurred over the years in high-risk plants. To do this, an accurate estimate of forecast meteorological data to be used in dispersion models can be very useful to respond in advance to emergency situations. In this field, FORCALM is a new tool developed to elaborate European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts data on a 3D computational domain with a high-resolution grid. FORCALM data can be used to perform predictive simulations of impacts on local and regional levels by using CALPUFF modelling system. A case s…

Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Drive Powered by Fuel Cell for Automotive Applications

2020

Electric vehicles represent an optimal solution for the reduction of pollution in urban areas. In particular, the Fuel Cell (FC) technology is a promising solution especially for its charging times and zero CO2 direct emissions. The paper addresses the design and performance study of an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (IPMSM) drive powered by fuel cell for automotive applications. The IPMSM drive is powered by the use of 5,5 kW FC unit and it is composed of two DC-DC power converters and one inverter. In detail, a test bench has been carried out for the evaluation of the performances of each IPMSM drive conversion stage. Moreover, in order to simulate automotive working condit…

A multi-analytical approach for the characterization of black crusts on the facade of an historical cathedral

2020

Abstract This study focuses on the characterization of black crusts collected from the Monza cathedral located in the homonymous city (N Italy), a hot spot from the point of view of the atmospheric pollution. Black crusts and substrate marble specimens were analyzed by a multi-analytical approach including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Stereomicroscopy (SM), Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (HRSEM-EDX) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP/MS). The characterization of the carbon fraction (organic carbon, OC, and element…

Ambient Air Pollution and Atherosclerosis: Insights Into Dose, Time, and Mechanisms.

2021

Ambient air pollution due to particulate matter ≤2.5 μ is the leading environmental risk factor contributing to global mortality, with a preponderant majority of these deaths attributable to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) causes such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Epidemiological studies in humans have provided refined estimates of exposure risk, with evidence suggesting that risk association with particulate matter ≤2.5 levels and ASCVD continues at levels well below air quality guidelines in North America and Europe. Mechanistic studies in animals and humans have provided a framework of understanding of the duration and pathways by which air pollution exposure may pr…

Cardiovascular effects of air pollution

2017

Air pollution is composed of particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone. PM is classified according to size into coarse particles (PM 10), fine particles (PM 2.5) and ultrafine particles. We aim to provide an original review of the scientific evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies examining the cardiovascular effects of outdoor air pollution. Pooled epidemiological studies reported that a 10 μg/m 3 increase in long-term exposure to PM 2.5 was associated with an 11% increase in cardiovascular mortality. Increased cardiovascular mortality was also related to long-term and short-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide. Exposure to air pollution…

Use of semipermeable membrane devices for monitoring pesticides in indoor air.

2009

Abstract In this work, 40 pesticides from different categories were analyzed in the air of 20 indoor places that have an intensive use of pesticides. Passive sampling was carried out by using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) deployed for 7 days. SPMDs were analyzed using microwave-assisted extraction and GC/MS. PCB-195 was used as an internal standard. Recoveries ranged between 81 and 108 for many compounds, with RSD values <11. Typical LOD values for 7 days of sampling were from 0.1 to 3.1 ng/m. Propamocarb, propoxur, carbosulfan, pirimicarb, metribuzin, metalaxyl, pendimethalin, oxadiazon, phenothrin, and permethrin were detected in 11 sampling sites, with air concentrations …

La qualità dell’aria indoor: una priorità ambientale e sanitaria

2009

Sources, determination, monitoring, and transport of carbonaceous aerosols in Mainz, Germany

1998

Abstract Total atmospheric particulate matter, total carbon (TC), and black carbon (BC) were measured over two periods, spring and summer 1994, at a sampling location in Mainz, Germany. An optical (aethalometer) and a thermal method were used to determine BC since previous studies have shown that the optical method is dependent on the source of aerosols. The thermal method chosen for calibration enables the determination of molar hydrogen to carbon ratios for total particulate carbon and BC if quartz fiber filters were pre-treated at 850°C for 4 h. A specific attenuation cross-section of ≈7 m 2  g -1 for BC on the aethalometer filter was calculated which lies between values determined for c…