Air Pollution Part 2

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Questions and Answers

Which source is directly linked to the release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)?

Natural gas extraction

Wind turbine operations

Electric vehicle emissions

Burning coal (correct)

Which statement about the Air Pollutant Emission Inventory (APEI) is false?

It only compiles emissions from industrial sources. (correct)

It addresses pollutants that contribute to smog and acid rain.

It covers both industrial and non-industrial emissions.

It includes emissions from mobile sources.

What regulatory requirement triggers the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) reporting?

Voluntary reporting by companies

Exceeding pollutant threshold values (correct)

Environmental NGO requests

Public demand for transparency

Which of the following pollutants would not typically be compiled in the APEI?

Heavy metals Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of industrial activity is monitored by ChemTRAC in Toronto?

Manufacture and release of priority substances Signup and view all the answers

What is a major health effect of exposure to pollutants like PAHs?

Carcinogenic effects Signup and view all the answers

How does industrial melanism in the peppered moth relate to pollution?

It highlights how natural selection is affected by air quality. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)?

To help the public make decisions about limiting short-term exposure to air pollution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following populations is classified as 'at risk' according to the AQHI scale?

Children and the elderly Signup and view all the answers

When the AQHI value is categorized as 'Very High' (over 10), what is advised for outdoor activities?

Avoid outdoor physical exertion Signup and view all the answers

What action is recommended for individuals experiencing symptoms such as coughing during a Moderate AQHI (4-6) level?

Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between air pollution and climate change?

Air pollution contributes to climate change and worsens air quality Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary pollutants found in wildfire smoke?

Ozone Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of PM2.5 emissions does wildfire smoke account for?

20% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following facilities is required to report under the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure bylaw?

Manufacturing plants Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of the loss of tree cover due to wildfires?

Release of carbon dioxide emissions Signup and view all the answers

What impact did Canada's 2023 wildfires have beyond local environmental conditions?

It displaced thousands of people and caused international air pollution. Signup and view all the answers

Which air pollutant is primarily associated with health risks during high-temperature cooking methods?

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Signup and view all the answers

The substantial air pollution from wildfires is most closely related to which climate phenomenon?

Positive feedback loop on climate change Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pollutants is a byproduct of wildfire smoke that can affect air quality?

PM2.5 particulate matter Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the severity of air quality deterioration due to wildfires?

Wind patterns and direction Signup and view all the answers

What was the carbon emission from tree cover loss compared to the aviation sector in 2022?

Nearly four times the global aviation sector emissions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

This course is ENH524-Pollution and Waste Management
The course is in the School of Occupational and Public Health, Toronto Metropolitan University.

Final Exam Information

The final exam will be held on December 6th at 12 PM.
The exam will be in person in DCC 204 and DCC 208.
Students will be sorted into rooms by last name.
The exam will be posted on D2L.
It is a closed-book exam consisting of multiple choice (MC) and true/false (T/F) questions on material since the midterm.
Approximately 45 questions are expected.

Air Pollution from Multiple Sources

99% of the world's population breathes polluted air.
Pollutants include toxic metals, diesel smog, nitrates, sulfates, soil, road dust, and sea salt.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

Developed by Health Canada and Environment Canada.
Helps the public make decisions about limiting short-term exposure to air pollution.
Higher index numbers indicate greater risk.
Provides hourly readings and maximum forecast values for the day, night, and following day.
Provides special messages for "at-risk" groups
AQHI categories, values and corresponding colors are listed.
Low Risk (1-3)
Moderate Risk (4-6)
High Risk (7-10)
Very High Risk (>10)
Health messages regarding ideal air quality and modifications for outdoor activities based on AQHI values are provided for both general populations and at-risk populations.
Calculated from cumulative effects of ozone, PM2.5, and NO2.
Public Health Ontario analysis in 2013 found that each unit increase in AQHI is equivalent to approximately a 1% increase in daily mortality across Ontario.
AQHI is commonly in the moderate risk category.
Air quality statements/advisories are issued by MOECP and Environment Canada based on AQHI forecasts.
Special Air Quality Statements (SAQS) are issued if high values (27) are present for 1 to 2 hours.
Smog and Air Health Advisories (SAHA) are issued if high values (27) are present for at least 3 hours.

Air Quality Monitoring

Air quality monitoring is the systematic assessment of the quantity and type of pollution levels in a specific area
Ambient monitoring is long-term assessments across large areas.
Emissions measurement monitors specific, highly localized sources
Conducted by MOECP at 40 fixed-site stations across Ontario.
Primarily involves federal sites but also additional sites from the National Air Pollution Surveillance Network (NAPS).
Monitoring involves hourly measurements of SO2, NO2, O3, PM2.5, and CO.
Equipment is expensive and maintenance is necessary.

Air Quality Monitoring & Modelling

MOECP deploys mobile monitoring vans to record pollutant concentrations at specific point sources ("hotspots").
Dispersion models predict ambient concentrations of pollutants at specific sites, considering factors like meteorology, topography, time, and distance.
Land-use regression models show the distribution of air pollution in urban and suburban areas through association with geographic characteristics and air pollutant levels (using GIS).

Black Carbon

A potent climate-warming component of particulate matter, formed during incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, wood, and other fuels.
Complete combustion produces CO2 but incomplete combustion also produces soot/particulate matter.
When suspended in the atmosphere, black carbon warms by converting incoming solar radiation to heat.
It impacts cloud formation and regional circulation and rainfall patterns.

Industrial Melanism in the Peppered Moth

The peppered moth is a species of moth found in England.

Emission Inventories

NPRI (National Pollutant Release Inventory): Collects information on releases of over 300 pollutants to air, water, and land, as well as waste transfer, from large emitters (e.g., factories, power plants) in Canada.
Reporting is legally mandated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999) when emission thresholds are exceeded.
APEI (Air Pollutant Emission Inventory): Compiles emission data from 17 pollutants that contribute to smog, acid rain, and poor air quality; includes industrial, non-industrial, mobile, incineration, and other sources.

ChemTRAC

A Toronto program collecting data on the manufacture, process, use, and release of 25 priority pollutants from businesses and institutions, including those sometimes exempt from national reporting.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the most commonly released pollutants during the period 2015, 2016, and 2017, with noted carcinogenic toxicity potential.
These are released during the combustion of various materials like coal, oil, gasoline, trash, tobacco, wood, and during high-temperature cooking practices like grilling.
Reporting is required by city bylaw for some sectors.
Exemptions exist for specific facility types (e.g., retail sales, medical/dental offices, building maintenance).

Forest Fires and Air Pollution

Wildfire smoke is a combination of hazardous air pollutants such as PM2.5, NO2, ozone, aromatic hydrocarbons, and lead.
Wildfire smoke contributes substantially to air pollution, accounting for about 20% of PM2.5 emissions.
Canada's 2023 wildfires made headlines globally due to widespread damage and displacement, with significant air pollution impacting Europe and China among other regions.

Climate Change and Wildfires

A positive feedback loop exists between climate change and wildfires.
Extensive tree cover loss in 2023, notably in Canada, released roughly 3 billion tons of CO2 (nearly 4 times the global aviation sector’s emissions and 25% more than the combined loss in 2023 for tropical primary forests).
Wildfires in 2023 caused significant tree cover loss globally and were driven primarily by unusually high temperatures and low precipitation.

Health Effects

Milder/More Common Symptoms: Headaches, mild cough, mucus production, and nose, throat, eye, and sinus irritation can result from smoke exposure.
More Serious/Less Common Symptoms: Dizziness, wheezing, chest pains, severe coughing, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, and irregularities in heart beat can result from smoke exposure.
Significant Health Concerns: Wildfire smoke is linked to premature deaths, strokes, heart attacks, and reproductive developmental impacts such as low birth weights.

Prevention: Land Use Planning

Land use planning, implemented through municipal bylaws or provincial codes, helps in managing air pollution by controlling where pollution sources and receptors are located.
Municipalities can implement bylaws for measures like vehicle idling restrictions, wood-burning appliances (restrictions), or setbacks/minimum distances.
Provinces use building and fire codes to regulate activities like open-air burning.

Avoid the TRAP Zone

Air pollutant concentrations are often greatest near emission sources, decreasing with distance.

Other Air Pollution Prevention Efforts

Residential/commercial sectors can reduce emissions through energy conservation efforts (e.g., efficient buildings, demand management, loan programs).
Transport sectors can reduce emissions through vehicle emissions standards set by Environment Canada and Transport Canada, and through actions to improve the efficiency of heavy-duty diesel vehicles.

Health Preventions: Wildfires

Monitor local air quality using resources such as the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), InfoSmog (Quebec), or specialized air quality advisories.
Keep windows and doors closed, and prioritize keeping cool during extreme heat events and poor air quality conditions.
Use high-quality filters in ventilation systems.

Documentary

A documentary related to the topic is available.

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Description

Prepare for the final exam in ENH524-Pollution and Waste Management with this quiz on air pollution. Covering multiple sources of air pollutants and the Air Quality Health Index, this quiz ensures you are ready for the closed-book exam. Test your understanding of the material since the midterm to excel on December 6th.

Air Pollution Part 2 - ENH524 Exam Review

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