The air excess coefficient (AEC) measures air pollutants released in a specified area during a specified time period divided by the number of people living in the area. It is a measure of how many people are exposed to the pollutants in a given area. The AEC is used to measure the impact of industrial activities on the quality of air in a certain area.
The AEC was created in order to provide data to government agencies that could be used to regulate air pollution levels. This is important because too much air pollution can be very harmful to human and animal health. The use of AEC enables authorities to measure and monitor the amount of pollution in a given area. This is an important tool, as it helps to identify areas where air quality is deteriorating and requires action.
The AEC also enables authorities to prioritize areas for remediation. This is important because it allows the development of policies that direct resources to those areas most affected by air pollution, thus protecting public health.
The calculation of the AEC involves a number of steps. First, the total emissions from all sources in the area must be calculated. These include industrial and residential emissions, as well as transportation sources such as cars and trucks. These emissions are then divided by the total number of people living in the area. The result is the AEC for that location.
There are several factors that will affect the AEC. For example, densely populated areas will usually have a higher AEC than areas with fewer people. Additionally, industrial activities will also affect AEC, although their contributions are usually much lower than those of other sources.
The AEC can be used to compare different locations, as well as assess the impact of certain activities on air quality. It is important to note that the AEC is a relative measure, meaning it refers to the amount of air pollutants released in a certain area compared to the number of people living in that area. This means that even smaller areas can have more pollution than larger areas.
Finally, it is important to remember that while the AEC is a useful tool, it can only provide a snapshot of air quality at a single point in time. In order to truly gauge the impact of air pollution on human health, it is important to monitor AEC over time to track any changes in air quality. Furthermore, monitoring air quality in areas near zone sources is also important, as these can provide data on the level of pollutants emitted in the environment.
Overall, the air excess coefficient is a useful tool for measuring and monitoring air pollution levels. It can be used to identify areas that require further investigation, and to prioritize areas for remediation. Furthermore, it can be used to compare different locations, as well as assess the impact of certain activities on air quality. Finally, it is important to remember that while the AEC is a very useful tool, it can only provide a snapshot of air quality at a single point in time.
