Gregory D. Reed

Health risks caused by short term exposure to ultrafine particles generated by residential wood combustion: A case study of Temuco, Chile

Temuco is one of the most highly wood smoke polluted cities in Chile; however, there is scarce evidence of respiratory morbidity due to fine particulate matter. We aimed to estimate the relationship between daily concentration of ultrafine particles (UFP), with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 0.1 μm, and outpatient visits for respiratory illness at medical care centers of Temuco, Chile, from August the 20th, 2009 to June the 30th, 2011. The Air Pollution Health Effects European Approach (APHEA2) protocol was followed, and a multivariate semi-parametric Poisson regression model was fitted with GAM techniques using R-Project statistical package; controlling for trend, seasonality, and confounders. The daily UFP were measured by a MOUDI NR-110 sampler. We found that results of the statistical analyses show significant associations between UFP and respiratory outpatient visits, with the elderly (population ≥ 65 years), being the group that presented the greatest risk. An interquartile increase of 4.73 μg/m(3) in UFP (lag 5 days) was associated with respiratory outpatient visits with a relative risk (RR) of 1.1458 [95% CI (1.0497-1.2507)] for the elderly. These results show novel findings regarding the relevance of daily UFP concentrations and health risk, especially for susceptible population in a wood smoke polluted city.

An environmental decision-making tool for evaluating ground-level ozone-related health effects.

Abstract A computer model called the Ozone Risk Assessment Model (ORAM) was developed to evaluate the health effects caused by ground-level ozone (O3) exposure. ORAM was coupled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Third-Generation Community Multiscale Air Quality model (Models-3/CMAQ), the state-of-the-art air quality model that predicts O3 concentration and allows the examination of various scenarios in which emission rates of O3 precursors (basically, oxides of nitrogen [NOx] and volatile organic compounds) are varied. The principal analyses in ORAM are exposure model performance evaluation, health-effects calculations (expected number of respiratory hospital admissions), economic valuation, and sensitivity and uncertainty analysis through a Monte Carlo simulation. As a demonstration of the system, ORAM was applied to the eastern Tennessee region, and the entire O3 season was simulated for a base case (typical emissions) and three different emission scenarios. The results indicated that a synergism occurs when reductions in NOx emissions from mobile and point sources were applied simultaneously. A 12.9% reduction in asthma hospital admissions is expected when both mobile and point source NOx emissions are reduced (50 and 70%, respectively) versus a 5.8% reduction caused by mobile source and a 3.5% reduction caused by point sources when these emission sources are reduced individually.

EFFECT OF COUNTY-LEVEL INCOME ON VEHICLE AGE DISTRIBUTION AND EMISSIONS

In conjunction with a statewide emissions inventory of on-road mobile sources in Tennessee, a county-by-county analysis of vehicle registration data was performed. Several interesting trends were observed in the kinds and ages of vehicles driven in Tennessee counties compared with national statistics and compared with the average personal income of county residents. In particular, median vehicle age correlated strongly with average personal income for each county. Vehicle fleets were oldest in lowestincome counties and newest in the highest-income county; median vehicle age was 10.8 years in the former and only 5.9 years in the latter. This difference in vehicle age results in average mobile-source emissions factors 63% higher for nitrogen oxides, 73% higher for carbon monoxide, and 104% higher for volatile organic compounds in the lowest-income counties than in the highest-income counties, based on the MOBILE6 emissions model run for calendar year 2000. The low-income counties also registered 76% more light-duty trucks per capita than the national average, and these trucks were 5 years older than the national median age. It is concluded that county-level personal income is a good predictor of vehicle age and can be used as a readily obtainable indication of whether local vehicle registration data should be used to improve the accuracy of emissions inventories (instead of national defaults or statewide averages). County-level personal income also can be used as a basis for determining whether more than one vehicle age distribution should be used for modeling mobile-source emissions within a state, a metropolitan area, or an airshed.

Ozone and PM2.5 exposure and acute pulmonary health effects: a study of hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

To address the lack of research on the pulmonary health effects of ozone and fine particulate matter (≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter; PM2.5) on individuals who recreate in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (USA) and to replicate a study performed at Mt. Washington, New Hampshire (USA), we conducted an observational study of adult (18–82 years of age) day hikers of the Charlies Bunion trail during 71 days of fall 2002 and summer 2003. Volunteer hikers performed pre- and posthike pulmonary function tests (spirometry), and we continuously monitored ambient O3, PM2.5, temperature, and relative humidity at the trailhead. Of the 817 hikers who participated, 354 (43%) met inclusion criteria (nonsmokers and no use of bronchodilators within 48 hr) and gave acceptable and reproducible spirometry. For these 354 hikers, we calculated the posthike percentage change in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), FVC/FEV1, peak expiratory flow, and mean flow rate between 25 and 75% of the FVC and regressed each separately against pollutant (O3 or PM2.5) concentration, adjusting for age, sex, hours hiked, smoking status (former vs. never), history of asthma or wheeze symptoms, hike load, reaching the summit, and mean daily temperature. O3 and PM2.5 concentrations measured during the study were below the current federal standards, and we found no significant associations of acute changes in pulmonary function with either pollutant. These findings are contrasted with those in the Mt. Washington study to examine the hypothesis that pulmonary health effects are associated with exposure to O3 and PM2.5 in healthy adults engaged in moderate exercise.

Seasonal distribution and modeling of diesel particulate matter in the Southeast US

The fine and ultra fine size of diesel particulate mater (DPM) are of great health concern and significantly contribute to the overall cancer risk. In addition, diesel particles may contribute a warming effect on the planets climate. The composition of these particles is composed principally of elemental carbon (EC) with adsorbed organic compounds, sulfate, nitrate, ammonia, metals, and other trace elements. The purpose of this study was to depict the seasonality and modeling of particulate matter in the Southeastern US produced by the diesel fueled sources (DFSs). The modeling results came from four one-month cases including March, June, September, and December to represent different seasons in 2003 by linking Models-3/CMAQ and SMOKE. The 1999 National Emissions Inventory Version 3 (NEI99) was used in this analysis for point, area, and non-road sources, whereas the National Mobile Inventory Model (NMIM) was used to create the on-road emissions. Three urban areas, Atlanta, Birmingham, and Nashville were selected to analyze the DPM emissions and concentrations. Even though the model performance was not very strong, it could be considered satisfactory to conduct seasonal distribution analysis for DPM. Important hourly DPM seasonality was observed in each city, of which higher values occurred at the morning traffic rush hours. The EC contributions of primary DPM were similar for all three sites (approximately 74%). The results showed that there is no significant daily seasonality of DPM contribution to PM(2.5) for any of these three cities in 2003. The annual DPM contribution to total PM(2.5) for Atlanta, Nashville, and Birmingham were 3.7%, 2.5%, and 2.2%, respectively.

A MECHANISTICALLY BASED MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF SULFUR DIOXIDE ABSORPTION INTO A CALCIUM HYDROXIDE SLURRY IN A SPRAY DRYER

A mathematical model has been developed to predict So2 absorption and removal during the constant rate drying period of a spray dryer. The model, based on film theory, treats the atomized slurry droplets as spheres containing discrete sorbent particles of slaked lime with the fluid uniformly distributed around the individual particles. The model includes gas and liquid phase mass transfer coefficients as well as resistance to Ca(OH)2 dissolution. A sensitivity analysis has been conducted and a comparison was made between pilot-scale experimental data and model-predicted values of S02 removal efficiency.

A Combined Ca(OH)2/NH3 Flue Gas Desulfurization Process for High Sulfur Coal: Results of a Pilot Plant Study

The removal of SO2 with atomization of a slaked lime slurry and supplemental injection of gaseous NH3 were tested in a conventional spray dryer/baghouse system for SO2 concentrations of 2000 ppm and 3000 ppm and a 30° F approach to saturation. Results at 3000 ppm of SO2 showed an average SO2 removal efficiency of 90.3 percent at a combined stoichiometric ratio of 0.95-1.10 and an average overall sorbent utilization of 91.6 percent. The overall molal ratio of NH3/SO2 reaction was found to be 2:1 under the test conditions Particle size analyses, and EP toxicity tests were conducted on the products of the reactions.

Characteristics and emissions of heavy-duty vehicles in Tennessee under the MOBILE6 model

Heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) classifications used for modeling emissions in the MOBILE6 model have been expanded from 2 classifications in MOBILE5 to 16 classifications in MOBILE6. The new classifications are based on vehicle weight and fuel used (i.e., gasoline or diesel). The heavier vehicles have higher emissions, so it is important to use correct vehicle weight distributions. Tennessee’s HDV registration data show a distribution very similar to the national defaults, but with more vehicles in the heaviest weight category (HDV8B). More than 50% of Tennessee’s HDVs fall in the lightest vehicle category (HDV2B). The biggest difference in truck characteristics in Tennessee versus national defaults in MOBILE6 is the higher HDV fraction on Tennessee rural Interstates. Also, the ratio of single-unit trucks to trailer trucks varies considerably by facility type. The emissions of volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide per mile of travel of gasoline-fueled single-unit trucks can be 2.5 to 5 times higher than those of heavy-duty diesel trailer trucks. The emissions of nitrogen oxides per mile of travel of diesel-fueled tractor–trailer trucks can be five times higher than those of gasoline-fueled single-unit trucks. For these reasons it is important to accurately characterize the HDV fleet. The characteristics of the Tennessee HDV fleet are compared with national defaults used in MOBILE6, and a new scheme for classifying vehicles by road type is presented.

Development of a Differential Volume Reactor System for Soil Biodegradation Studies

A bench scale experimental system was developed for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation by mixed microbial cultures in PAH contaminated Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) soils and on sand. The reactor system was chosen in order to provide a fundamental protocol capable for evaluating the performance of specific mixed microbial cultures on specific soil systems by elucidating the important system variables and their interactions. The reactor design and peripherals are described. A plug flow differential volume reactor (DVR) was used in order to remove performance effects related to reactor type, as opposed to system structure. This reactor system could be well represented mathematically. Methods were developed for on-line quantitative determination of PAH liquid phase concentrations. The mathematical models and experimental data are presented for the biodegradation of naphthalene on artificial and MGP soils.

Development of a systems analysis approach for resolving the structure of biodegrading soil systems.

An experimental and mathematical method is developed for the microbial systems analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading mixed cultures in PAH-contaminated “town gas” soil systems. Frequency response is the primary experimental and data analysis tool used to probe the structure of these complicated systems. The objective is to provide a fundamental protocol for evaluating the performance of specific mixed microbial cultures on specific soil systems by elucidating the salient system variables and their interactions. Two well-described reactor systems, a constant volume stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a plug flow differential volume reactor, are used in order to remove performance effects that are related to reactor type as opposed to system structure. These two reactor systems are well-defined systems that can be described mathematically and represent the two extremes of one potentially important system variable, macroscopic mass transfer. The experimental and mathematical structure of the protocol is described, experimental data is presented, and data analysis is demonstrated for the stripping, sorption, and biodegradation of napththalene.