Authors: Roberts-Semple, Dawn¹; Gao, Yuan²

Source: International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, Volume 16, Numbers 1-2, December 2013 , pp. 160-177(18)

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

Abstract:

The relationship between meteorological conditions and air pollution was assessed as a plausible explanation for respiratory health problems in Newark, New Jersey on the US east coast. Pollutants in both particle (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and gas phase (O₃) were collected and analysed. We find that PM_2.5 concentrations decreased by -30.8% (95% CI: -43.2%, -15.8%) when the prevailing westerly wind speeds increased by 1 unit. A 0.01 ppm increase in O₃ was associated with a rise in daily respiratory hospital admissions by 2.159 (95% CI: 0.72, 3.59) on 1 lag day. A small decrease in the monthly mean PM_2.5 concentration was associated with a corresponding decrease in hospital admissions. These initial findings suggest that local meteorological conditions influence the concentrations of both particulate and gas phase pollutants which in turn, can affect respiratory health problems in this urban area. More comprehensive investigations will be followed based on this pilot study.

Keywords: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT; Environment and Sustainable Development; MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS; Technology Management

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJETM.2013.050656

Affiliations: 1: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. 2: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA

Publication date: 2013-12-01

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• The objectives of the International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management are to establish an effective channel of communication between policy-makers, government agencies, academics and research institutions, and professionals working in the field, and to provide a forum for them to disseminate information and to learn from each other's work. The international dimension is emphasised in order to overcome cultural and national barriers and to meet the needs of accelerating technological change and changes in the global economy.
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