Evolution of Air Pollution Monitoring in Ottawa

Transcription

1 Evolution of Air Pollution Monitoring in Ottawa Natty Urquizo and Martha Robinson Environmental Sustainability & Public Health City of Ottawa Hamilton February 2012

2 Reasons for Air Quality Monitoring Although Ottawa has good air, OMA (2008) estimates over 500/yr premature deaths Windsor Quebec City Corridor is the most polluted in the country There was a single NAPS for 2,700 km 2 up to 2007 Measuring is essential for air pollution management 2

3 Map pollution concentration spatially hour by hour to identify patterns ( hot spots ) One full year of monitoring (Jul 07-Jun 08) six major pollutants: Pilot Project Overview Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO 2, NOx) Ground Level ozone Carbon Monoxide Particulate Matter 2.5 Three months of integrating satellite data and ground monitoring stations 3

4 Pilot Project Partners GeoConnections - NRCan, main sponsor Transport Canada Environment Canada Ontario Ministry of the Environment Ottawa International Airport Ministère du Développement durable, de l'environnement et des Parcs Quebec 4

5 Ground Level Monitoring Locations 5

6 Validation Mobile labs in 8 sites across the city One road side monitor 6

7 Transportation Impact on NO 2 Percentage of time when NO 2 above 50 ppb NO 2 > 50ppb Standard: EU 79 ppb/hr US 100 ppb/hr CAN 200 ppb/hr 7

8 Maximum PM 2.5 Standard 30 µg/m 3 NO safe level Local source 8

9 September 14 th 2007 Episode Montreal Influence The impact of transboundary pollution due to a high pressure system Gradient shown by satellite data Effects of precipitation 9

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30 Added Value of satellite data NO2 Ground Level (NAPS) NO2 OMI/Aura + NAPS + model 30

31 AQHI using satellite data Air Quality Health Index 31

32 What do Single Pollutant Maps Mean? Needed a health connection 32

33 Health Assessment Model Translate Air Quality maps from the pilot project (2008) into meaningful health impacts (morbidity, mortality and $$$) Use Air Quality Benefits Assessment Tool (AQBAT) Obtain a tool for health impact assessments of changing traffic flows 33

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37 Health Endpoint Report Dates: 10 Mar 08 to 14 Mar 08 Endpoint Cases Valuation ($) Acute Exposure Mortality Acute Respiratory Symptom Days Asthma Symptom Days Minor Restricted Activity Days Respiratory Emergency Room Visits Respiratory Hospital Admissions Adult Chronic Bronchitis Cardiac Emergency Room Visits Cardiac Hospital Admissions Child Acute Bronchitis Episodes Chronic Exposure Mortality Restricted Activity Days Elderly Cardiac Hospital Admissions 0 13 Total Valuation $110,000 37

38 Immediate or possible uses of the Health Assessment model Assess Health Impacts of OC-Transpo Depot Expansion Community demanded monitoring Challenges using roadside monitors make this tool ideal Assess Health impacts of areas with over 10,000 car/day 38

39 3-D street level modeling Six blocks of Albert Street were modelled and validated using two road side monitors Measurements were at: 7 m above road 45 m above road 39

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52 Findings Pollution at sidewalk level are 90% higher than the one reported by MOE Demonstrates the canyon effect of high density buildings USES Demonstrates the value of a step back approach in designing high buildings Useful for urban design 52

53 Climate Change & Air Quality Forecast 53

54 Forecasting PM2.5 54

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56 Need to incorporate traffic in Air Quality Forecasting 56

57 Roadside monitoring 57

58 Proximity to main Roads Facility Type Percentage of Records within 50 m 100 m 250 m 500 m Schools Old age homes Day cares Active Recreation Active Rec on schools TOTAL

59 Possible Partners for Municipalities Ontario Ministry of the Environment (LRT) Health Canada (UHI) Public Health Agency of Canada (CC & AQ, UHI) Environment Canada (AQHI) Board of Education (School curriculum) Other Municipalities (Roundabouts) USEPA (vegetation), local universities Current Partners: HC (Airpointers)Public Health, Transportation Planners, Fire Services, Community planning & design, Traffic Operations, Public works, etc. 59

60 Conclusion Developed meaningful tools for air quality management Continue working on AQ monitoring using both satellite and roadside data Looking for partners to do research projects i.e. Roundabouts, vegetation Ultimate aim is to develop policies 60