Analysing the air: experiences and results of long term air pollution monitoring in the Asia-Pacific region using nuclear analysis techniques
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Date
2015-12-07
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Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
Abstract
Particles present in the air we breathe are now recognized as a major cause of disease and premature death globally. In fact, a World Health Organization (WHO) report recently ranked ambient air pollution as one of the top 10 causes of death in the world, directly contributing annually to around 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide 65% of which occurred in the Asian region alone. Airborne particulate matter (PM) can be generated from natural sources such as windblown soil or coastal sea-spray; as well as anthropogenic sources such as power stations, industry, vehicles and domestic biomass burning. At low concentration these fine pollution particles are too small to be seen by eye, but penetrate deep into our lungs and even our blood stream as our nose and throat are inefficient at filtering them out. At large concentrations, they can also have wider regional effects including reduced visibility, acid rain and even climate variability. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2000, recognizing air pollution as a significant local, national and global challenge, initiated a collaborative air pollution study involving 14 countries across the greater Asia-pacific region from 2000 to 2015. This has amassed a database containing more than 14,000 data lines of PM mass concentration and the concentration of up to 40 elements using nuclear analytical techniques. It represents the most comprehensive and long-term airborne PM data set compiled to date for the Asia-Pacific region and as will be discussed, can be used to statistically resolve individual source fingerprints and their contributions to total air pollution using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF). This sort of data necessary for implementing or reviewing the effectiveness of policy level changes aimed at targeted air pollution reduction.
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Keywords
Acid rain, Air pollution monitoring, Biomass, Climates, Concentration ratio, Particulates, Soils, Streams, Diseases, Filters, Environmental policy
Citation
Atanacio, A. J. Analysing the air: experiences and results of long term air pollution monitoring in the Asia-Pacific region using nuclear analysis techniques. Paper presented at the 3rd Philippine Nuclear Congress; Manila (Philippines); 7-9 Dec 2015.