Overview
Air pollution is a major global issue and its affects can be seen throughout the world. Emissions from industrial processes, vehicle exhaust, and fires have all been linked to numerous adverse health outcomes, including increased hospitalizations, exacerbation of asthma symptoms, and premature deaths. One of the most effective ways to comprehensively assess air pollution is through the monitoring of gas and particulate matter (PM) concentrations. In this paper, we discuss the current state of air pollution monitoring and outline a monitoring approach for measuring the concentrations of gases and particulate matter in the local atmosphere.
History of Air Pollution Monitoring
The history of air pollution monitoring is closely intertwined with the history of air pollution itself and has been evolving steadily since the industrial revolution in Great Britain.1 During this period, great advances in technology and industry led to an increase in both indoor and outdoor air pollutants, such as soot and sulphur dioxide.2 In response to the growing public health concern, the British Parliament passed the Alkali Act in 1863, which sought to regulate the emissions of harmful gaseous substances from factories.3 This was the first air pollution legislation in the world and made the monitoring of air pollutants a priority for many countries.
In the United States, the first official air pollution monitoring station was established in 1895 in Cincinnati, Ohio.4 This monitoring station recorded weather data, humidity and temperature, as well as carbon monoxide, ammonia, sulphur dioxide, and other combustion gases.5 In the 1960s and 70s, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to regulatory air pollution, first through the Clean Air Act and later through the Clean Air Amendments of 1977.6 This led to the establishment of more accurate and comprehensive air pollution monitoring systems throughout the country as part of the ambient air quality monitoring network (AQMN).7
Current State of Air Pollution Monitoring
Today, air pollution monitoring involves measuring both gases and particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere. Gaseous pollutants, like ozone and carbon monoxide, are usually measured using fixed-site monitoring systems, such as the AQMN networks. These systems typically measure pollutants in a central location and are used to assess regional air pollution levels.8 Alternatively, particulate matter (PM) is usually measured using mobile monitoring units. This type of system is used to collect data in specific locations, usually at the site of a potential polluter or near sensitive areas, such as homes or schools.9 These mobile monitoring systems are particularly useful for assessing short-term exposure to air pollutants, such as the impact of a major industrial incident.
In recent years, remote sensing techniques have also proven to be effective for measuring air pollutants.10 Remote sensing techniques use non-contact techniques, such as satellites, laser spectrometry, and infrared spectrometry, to measure air pollutants.11 These methods are particularly useful for measuring pollutants in remote or difficult to access areas, such as the atmosphere around mountaintops.12
Monitoring Approach
In order to comprehensively monitor the concentrations of gases and particulate matter in the atmosphere, we propose using a combination of stationary and mobile monitoring stations, as well as remote sensing techniques. This approach will ensure that pollutants are monitored on a local, regional, and global scale.
Stationary monitoring systems, such as the AQMN networks, should be used in order to assess regional air pollution levels. The AQMN networks are equipped to measure a wide variety of air pollutants, including ozone, carbon monoxide, soot, sulphur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The data collected from these networks can be used to develop air quality standards and policies to reduce air pollution levels.
Mobile monitoring systems should be deployed to measure short-term pollutant levels in specific locations, such as the site of a major industrial incident. These mobile monitoring systems can measure a range of air pollutants, including PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and other combustion gases. The data gathered from these systems can be used to evaluate the impact of air pollution on public health.
A variety of remote sensing techniques should also be employed in order to measure air pollutants in remote or difficult to access areas. Recent advances in satellite-based near infrared spectrometry (NIRS) have proved to be particularly effective for measuring particulate matter (PM).13 This technology is capable of measuring the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 from space, enabling real-time monitoring of air pollutants from a global scale.
Conclusion
Air pollution is a pressing global issue that needs to be addressed. In order to effectively monitor air pollutants and assess their impact, a comprehensive approach must be taken. We propose using a combination of stationary and mobile monitoring systems, as well as remote sensing techniques, in order to measure air pollutants on a local, regional, and global scale. This approach will allow for the development of informed air quality standards and policies, which can help reduce air pollution and improve public health outcomes.
