Integrated Application of Source Apportionment Tools to Support Development and Implementation of Air Quality Regulations to Protect Public Health

摘要

Air pollution is associated with increased health and ecological effects. A complex mixture of local, urban, and regional sources contribute to air pollution, presenting a challenge to separate sources dispersed across the range of spatial scales. Understanding the relative contribution of these sources is important because recent health studies suggest differences in exposure relationships and health effects for different sources. In addition, air quality management decisions require infor-mation on the sources contributing to air pollution to develop effective air pollution control strategies. This paper will describe efforts to identify and quantify sources of air pollution using a multidisciplinary research approach focused on the inte-grated application of sampling methods, analytical methods, and receptor-based modeling tools. The application of high time resolution sampling methods, such as the Semi-continuous Elements in Aerosol Sampler (SEAS), provides valuable data for source apportionment. When samples collected are analyzed with high resolution analytical methods, source marker compounds are identified which can be used as inputs to multivariate receptor-based modeling tools, such as Positive Matrix Factorization and Unmix, that provide information to identify relative source contributions. The application of the Air Pollution Transport to Receptor (APTR) model provides additional information regarding the location of sources. APTR has a local component based on nonparametric wind regression and a regional component based on Quantitative Transport Bias Analysis. This paper will present results from the intensive source apportionment studies conducted in various location in the US, including St. Louis, Missouri, Dearborn, Michigan, and Steubenville, Ohio. The paper will demonstrate how the results of these studies have provided valuable information for air quality management decisions, as well as, information to support development of air quality regulations to protect public health. Finally, the paper will also discuss future efforts to integrate receptor-based approaches with source-oriented models to enhance source apportionment capabilities.