evolution of air pollution monitoring in ottawa

Natty Urquizo and Martha Robinson Environmental Sustainability & Public Health City of OttawaHamilton February 2012

Evolution of Air Pollution Monitoring in Ottawa

Evolution of Air Pollution Monitoring in Ottawa

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Reasons for Air Quality MonitoringReasons 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 km2 up to 2007

Measuring is essential for air pollution management

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Map pollution concentration spatially hour by hour to identify patterns (“hot spots”) One full year of monitoring (Jul’07-Jun’08) six

major pollutants: Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, NOx) Ground Level ozone Carbon Monoxide Particulate Matter 2.5

Three months of integrating satellite data and ground monitoring stations

Pilot Project OverviewPilot Project Overview

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Pilot Project PartnersPilot 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

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Ground Level Monitoring LocationsGround Level Monitoring Locations

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ValidationValidation

Mobile labs in 8 sites across the city

One road side monitor

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Transportation Impact on NO2 Transportation Impact on NO2

NO2 > 50ppb 2007-12-10 - 2007-12-12Percentage of time when NO2

above 50 ppb

Standard:EU 79 ppb/hrUS 100 ppb/hrCAN 200 ppb/hr

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Maximum PM2.5Maximum PM2.5

•Standard30 µg/m3

•NO safe level•Local source

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September 14th 2007 Episode Montreal InfluenceSeptember 14th 2007 Episode Montreal Influence

The impact of transboundary pollution due to a high pressure system

Gradient shown by satellite data Effects of precipitation

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Added Value of satellite dataAdded Value of satellite data

NO2 Ground Level (NAPS) NO2 OMI/Aura + NAPS + model NO2 Ground Level (NAPS) NO2 OMI/Aura + NAPS + model

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AQHI using satellite dataAQHI using satellite data

Air Quality Health Index

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

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Health Assessment ModelHealth 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

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Health Endpoint ReportDates: 10 Mar 08 to 14 Mar 08Endpoint Cases Valuation ($)Acute Exposure Mortality 0.01 65000Acute Respiratory Symptom Days 190 3100Asthma Symptom Days 18 1200Minor Restricted Activity Days 38 1100Respiratory Emergency Room Visits 0.08 220Respiratory Hospital Admissions 0.02 110Adult Chronic Bronchitis 0.01 3200Cardiac Emergency Room Visits 0 4.1Cardiac Hospital Admissions 0 3.7Child Acute Bronchitis Episodes 0.03 13Chronic Exposure Mortality 0.01 40000Restricted Activity Days 9.8 600Elderly Cardiac Hospital Admissions 0 13Total Valuation $110,000

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Immediate or possible uses of the Health Assessment model

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

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3-D street level modeling3-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

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FindingsFindings

Pollution at sidewalk level are 90% higher than the one reported by MOE

Demonstrates the canyon effect of high density buildings

USESUSES Demonstrates the value of a step back

approach in designing high buildings Useful for urban design

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Climate Change & Air Quality ForecastClimate Change & Air Quality Forecast

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Forecasting PM2.5Forecasting PM2.5

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Need to incorporate traffic in Air Quality ForecastingNeed to incorporate traffic in Air Quality Forecasting

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Roadside monitoringRoadside monitoring

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Proximity to main RoadsProximity to main Roads

Facility Type

Percentage of Records within

50 m 100 m

250 m

500 m

Schools 22.02 31.19 54.13 80.73

Old age homes

50.91 60.00 74.55 92.73

Day cares 53.66 63.41 80.49 87.80

Active Recreation

19.39 26.38 53.33 75.87

Active Rec on schools

18.04 29.11 50.63 75.95

TOTAL 22.55 30.93 55.03 78.23

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Possible Partners for MunicipalitiesPossible 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 universitiesCurrent Partners:Current Partners: HC (Airpointers)Public Health, Transportation Planners, Fire

Services, Community planning & design, Traffic Operations, Public works, etc.

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ConclusionConclusion

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