houston air quality john d. wilson galveston-houston association for smog prevention
TRANSCRIPT
Houston Air Quality
John D. Wilson
Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention
www.ghasp.org
Happy New Year!Houston (cough cough) 2003
74 Aldine
150 µg/m3
66 µg/m3
12 Conroe
32 Channelview
World Trade Center Plume
24 hr. Mean = 25 ug/m3
Unhealthy Air Days: 53 per Year
Source: EPA Air Quality Index for the Houston Region, 2000–2003
J
5
10
F M A M J J A S O N D
Ave
rag
e D
ays
per
Mo
nth Very unhealthy (4)
Unhealthy (15)
Unhealthy for sensitive groups (34)
Warning Level
(0-1-0) (1-1-0)
Fine Particles 2001
Fine Particles in Houston
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Galveston La Porte Channelview Clinton Aldine Conroe
Industry
Gasoline
Diesel
Meat CookingMinor
Other / Unknown
PM
2.5 (
µg
/m3)
Road Dust
Synthesis of various data (1997-1998, 2000-2002). Speciation from Matt Fraser, Rice University. Total PM2.5 levels from TCEQ.
California Standard
Federal Standard
Freeway Impact on Fine ParticlesAdditional Fine Particles Due to Freeway Traffic in 2020 (0.1 – 1.0 µg/m3)
Cancer RiskAdditional Risk Due to Exposure to Air Pollution in Houston Area
• Industrial areas:– Additional risk of 500 – 1,000 per million– Highest measured risk at sites near
western end of Houston Ship Channel
• Urban / suburban areas:–Additional risk of 200 – 450 per million
• Inadequate monitoring, especially outside Houston Ship Channel
Cancer RiskAdditional Risk Due to Exposure to Air Pollution in Houston Area
• Diesel Particulates: 360 (120-690) per million
• Butadiene: 32 (3 - 245) per million
• Aldehydes: 27 (25-34) per million
• PAHs: (17) per million
• Metals: 15-22 per million
• Benzene: 6 (4-14) per million
• Other organics: 1 (1-6) per million
• Acrolein
• Acrylonitrile
Chronic Disease & Air PollutionWorst pollutants (in order)
• Acrolein
• Formaldehyde
• Arsenic
• Ozone
• Diesel particulates
Systems threatened (in order)
• Respiratory
• Skin and sense-organ
• Gastrointestinal & liver
• Cardiovascular & blood
• Neurotoxicity
• Developmental
• Kidney
Houston Air Quality
John D. Wilson
Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention
www.ghasp.org
Which of the Following Caused the Most Death in the U.S., in 2001?
a) Fine Particles: 64,000 (est.)b) Flu and pneumonia: 62,000c) Motor Vehicles: 43,800d) Suicides: 30,600e) Drugs: 21,700f) Homicides: 20,000g) Alcohol: 19,800h) Malaria: 9Source: CDC. National Vital Statistics Reports, 2003: U.S.EPA, NRDC
Houston: 435 deaths per year due to fine particulates according to the Sonoma Study
PM10
PM2.5
Fine Particles Get Deep Into Your Lungs
Primary Particle Emissions
Secondary Particle Formation
• Industrial, power plant, and motor vehicle emissions
• NOX forms ozone and fine nitrate particulate matter
• SO2 : a dangerous gas that forms especially toxic
acidic sulfate particulate matter
Indoor Particle Levels
• When particle levels are high outdoors, they may also be high indoors
• Prevent particles from entering residence or vehicle– Close windows– Run air conditioning on recycle mode
• Reduce indoor sources of particles– Don’t smoke inside– Reduce use of gas or wood stoves– Don’t vacuum
• Air cleaner with HEPA filter will reduce particle levels indoors
How to Reduce Risk
Dose = Concentration x Ventilation Rate x Time
– Reduce concentration – schedule activities when pollution levels lower
– Reduce ventilation rate by taking it easier
– Reduce time spent in vigorous outdoor activities
• Pay attention to symptoms
• Follow asthma action plan