Analysis Examples and Issues: Identifying Sources Policy Analysis Tools for Air Quality and Health A workshop hosted by NERAM and Pollution Probe Jeffrey R. Brook May 19, 2005 TORONTO

Two Key Goals of AQ Research: ( for Policy Analysis) Improve understanding of health effects Improve understanding of health effects –main pollutants and/or sources of concern –quantify concentration-response functions Identify main sources contributing to the problem Identify main sources contributing to the problem –quantitative source apportionment with uncertainties –develop predictive AQ models and integrate with cost-benefit models

Turning Research into  Results Research seems to be "never-ending" (and it could be) Research seems to be "never-ending" (and it could be) –How do we move forward in the near-term with practical solutions or applications given incomplete information, uncertainties or resistance to change? –What's important for the long-term? Detailed analysis of measurement data provides useful insight Detailed analysis of measurement data provides useful insight –"receptor methods"

Presentation Outline Some examples of recent analyses of PM-related measurement data Some examples of recent analyses of PM-related measurement data –Results that have relevance to AQ management (hopefully) –Examples from basic to increasingly complex measurements Final remarks Final remarks

How much PM 2.5 is from local emissions? Toronto area warm season concentrations all matched in time Median six-hour PM 2.5 (  g/m 3 )

EGBERT Decreasing Regional PM 2.5 Estimating Regional Background: Comparison of sites ~18  g/m 3

Local Contribution to PM 2.5 : Will local actions have an impact? SW Flow: Simcoe to Toronto Emissions/formation in Toronto add about 4  g/m 3 to the regional air mass (containing ~18  g/m 3 ) before it arrives in North York 30-37% of fine particle concentrations in Toronto are locally produced

Source Areas Contributing to Warm Season PM 2.5 >ave <ave

PMF Estimates of PM 2.5 Sources - Toronto Coal Combustion Ammonium Nitrate Motor Vehicles Sec. org.

Identifying source types and quantifying their contributions to PM: Formulate conceptual model Formulate conceptual model Compile emission inventory Compile emission inventory Characterize source emissions Characterize source emissions Analyze ambient samples for mass, elements, ions, and carbon and other components from sources Analyze ambient samples for mass, elements, ions, and carbon and other components from sources Confirm source types with multivariate model Confirm source types with multivariate model Quantify source contributions Quantify source contributions

Identifying source types and quantifying their contributions to PM: Estimate profile changes and limiting precursors Estimate profile changes and limiting precursors Apply source-oriented models Apply source-oriented models Develop scenarios for source-oriented model (CTM) runs Develop scenarios for source-oriented model (CTM) runs Reconcile source contributions from the receptor models with other data analyses, with the inventories and with source models Reconcile source contributions from the receptor models with other data analyses, with the inventories and with source models

Should policies to improve outdoor AQ through CWS achievement also be maximizing public health benefits?

Of Course ! For particles, the relative health impact of different sources or physical-chemical characteristics should be considered Exposure should then be considered

Profile plots of personal PM 2.5 exposures, outdoor PM 2.5 levels (a), and personal exposures to SO 4 2- (b), EC (c), and Ca 2+ (d). This subject spent an average of 4 hours in a car each day for the duration of the study. The rest of the time was spent mostly in an office (7 hours) and at home (13 hours). The Spearman’s correlation coefficient is largest for the association between personal exposures to PM 2.5 and EC. ab cd

This subject spent an average of 21 hours at home each day for the duration of the study. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient is largest for the association between personal exposures to PM 2.5 and outdoor PM 2.5. a c b d

Sources of personal PM 2.5 exposure Relative contributions to personal exposure were regional haze (17%±16%), combustion (13%±10%), and local dust (7%±6%) Relative contributions to personal exposure were regional haze (17%±16%), combustion (13%±10%), and local dust (7%±6%) Traffic played a larger relative role in influencing personal exposures compared to ambient PM 2.5 Traffic played a larger relative role in influencing personal exposures compared to ambient PM % of personal exposure to PM 2.5 could not be linked to the three source categories 60% of personal exposure to PM 2.5 could not be linked to the three source categories The unknown sources are most likely due to indoor sources and/or something strongly linked to what the subjects did each day The unknown sources are most likely due to indoor sources and/or something strongly linked to what the subjects did each day

Size of acute cardiovascular response is most-related to organic carbon Diastolic Blood Pressure Brachial Artery Diameter

Ultrafine particles near and on roads 401 Windsor to Toronto Windsor Busy Roads Number per cubic centimeter

Concluding Remarks... Is there a direct link between research and actual air quality policies? Is there a direct link between research and actual air quality policies? –At some level - yes Measurement-based AQ research can provide information of relevance to policy Measurement-based AQ research can provide information of relevance to policy –the more-specific the question, the more-specific the study –Capability to identify sources and characterize AQ could be out-stripping health knowledge Thus, more research (health) is needed (?) Thus, more research (health) is needed (?)

Research is only 1 part of the solution New policies to manage AQ often arise when there is an opportunity New policies to manage AQ often arise when there is an opportunity Creating opportunities and having sensible, science-based policies ready to employ is important Creating opportunities and having sensible, science-based policies ready to employ is important –research draws attention to potential problems and provides a science base –public education, directly and via health care practitioners –grass-roots pressure Sensible AQ management actions are known Sensible AQ management actions are known –energy conservation/efficiency –urban and transportation planning –Strengthen association between good environmental practices and improved profits and sustainability