UN Climate Organization Warns Link Between Pollution, Weather, Climate Impact Health

GENEVA (RPRN)23 March 2009- The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization says there is a close relationship between weather-climate systems and global pollution. The organization says these relationships also affect people’s health.

The World Meteorological Organization says 90 percent of all natural disasters are related to weather, water and climate events. It says air quality is an important factor as well.

The World Health Organization estimates about two million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution, more than half in developing countries. WHO says declining air quality worsens illnesses and deaths from asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer.

The relationship between climate, weather, air quality and health is the theme of this year’s World Meteorological Day, which is observed Monday.WMO Secretary-General, Michel Jarraud, says the scientific community is becoming increasingly aware of the inter-connection.

“For the air quality, what we are talking about is not only the sort of traditional pollutants as you could imagine them,” he noted. “But, it is also many of the gases, which are the greenhouse gases that are also influencing the quality of the air when they are abundant in the lower atmosphere.”

WMO scientists assess and monitor air pollutants such as ground-level ozone, smog, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Most of these substances directly result from the industrial, urban and vehicular combustion of fossil fuels.

Jarraud says an analysis of this data enables scientists to better forecast the distribution of potentially harmful pollutants in the atmosphere. He says it is increasingly important to do this analysis in connection with urbanization because more than half of the world population lives in urban areas.

“The pollution issues are even more acute in the big urban areas,” he said. “Something else, which we hope does not happen very often, but which happens from time to time are the accidents which can release huge amounts of chemicals or radioactive-during Chernobyl, the radioactive things. We also provide forecasts in order to predict where these things will go, which are the areas which are the most likely affected.”

WMO says a warming climate can exacerbate air pollution. For example, it says climate change and land use are expected to increase desertification worldwide, increasing the risk of sand and dust storms.

It says climate change models show particle-producing fires will continue to increase in both frequency and intensity with rising global temperatures. Drought also is likely to increase, leading to more fires.

About the author: Voice of America. The Voice of America, which first went on the air in 1942, is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

New Report Shows Toll from Overdue EPA Emissions Standards

A new technical analysis shows that even a one year delay by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in implementing overdue emission standards for diesel trains and ships will allow serious health effects to go unaddressed over the course of EPA's program. The adverse health consequences include: 1400 premature deaths, 3000 heart attacks, and 24,000 asthma attacks. The technical analysis by the national nonprofit group Environmental Defense is based on EPA's own data and methodologies, and is summarized in a one page fact sheet available from jscott@ed.org or scrowley@ed.org .

In 2004, EPA announced plans to put in place new standards for the nation's fleet of diesel locomotives and ships by mid-2006, but missed the deadline. In March 2007, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson issued draft federal standards that would reduce particulate pollution and smog-forming nitrogen oxides from each engine by 80 percent or greater when fully phased in. Collectively, this pollution reduction is equivalent to taking three-quarters of a million diesel trucks off the road each year. At the time the draft standards were released, Administrator Johnson said the agency would "finalize [the proposed rule] by the end of the year [i.e., 2007]," but EPA has now missed this deadline.

"EPA's delay in adopting clean air standards for diesel trains and ships has serious human health consequences in the real world and will allow thousands of deaths, heart attacks and asthma attacks to go unaddressed," said Environmental Defense staff attorney Janea Scott. "We urge EPA to fulfill its commitments to the American people by immediately adopting protective clean air standards for high-polluting diesel trains and ships."

Most of the ships and trains in the U.S. today are powered by diesel engines. Diesel trains and ships, such as ferries and tugboats, are major sources of air pollution. Diesel exhaust contains toxic chemicals that together with diesel particulate matter pose a cancer risk greater than that of any other air pollutant. Each year, diesel locomotives and commercial ships together emit nearly two million tons of smog-forming oxides of nitrogen. Both are major sources of lethal particulate pollution.

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. http://www.environmentaldefense.org/

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Earthtimes.org

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Ozone Controversy – Science vs. EPA vs. Industry

On June 21st, the EPA proposed that it was time to strengthen the nation's air quality standards for ground-level ozone, revising the standards set in 1997. According to the EPA, the new proposal is based on the most recent scientific evidence available about the health effects of ozone, which is the primary component of smog."Advances in science are leading to cleaner skies and healthier lives," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "America's science is progressing and our air quality is improving. By strengthening the ozone standard, EPA is keeping our clean air momentum moving into the future. I have concluded the current standard is insufficient to protect public health."

But environmentalists and scientific experts say the proposed regulations are not enough and fall short of standards recommend by the EPA’s own Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). According to scientific documents provided to the EPA, lowering emissions standards to 0.064 parts per million rather than EPA’s proposed 0.07-0.075 ppm, would decrease ozone-related deaths by a possible 75 percent. The current regulatory level is .08 ppm.

“The law says use the science, the science says lower the standard to safe levels,” commented Francesco Grifo, director of the Scientific Integrity Program for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “In disregarding its own scientists’ analysis, the EPA is risking the health of millions of Americans.”

Ozone is a health concern for individuals with asthma or other lung diseases, as well as those who spend a lot of time outside, such as children. Ozone exposure can aggravate asthma and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Environmentalists believe the new proposed standard is not enough to protect the public’s health, with the higher regulation level being the result of pressure from industrial concerns and the current White House administration.

“The science is clear,” said David H. Ingbar MD, president of the American Thoracic Society, “ozone pollution is causing unnecessary, illnesses and death in America. The proposed EPA standards fall short of providing the protection needed to keep Americans safe from ozone air pollution.” Dr. Ingbar also commented that the proposed standards are “unhealthy for America’s kids, unhealthy for America’s seniors, and unhealthy for America.”

However, the National Center for Policy Analysis’ E-Team, a group of exports who offer analysis based on the concept that science, the environment and the economy should form government policies, issued another perspective to the proposed standards. They stated that reducing smog emissions standards from the current level to the level suggested by the EPA, is virtually impossible, according to Joel Schwarz, an adjunct scholar with the NCPA E-Team. Schwarz continued that even if the proposed reduction were possible, it would do nothing to improve American’s overall health. He continued “These new proposed standards would turn most of the nation into a Clean Air Act ‘non-attainment area.”

Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created through a reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from industrial facilities, electric utilities, on- and off-road vehicles, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are the major man-made sources of NOx and VOCs - ozone precursors.

The EPA says that the United States has made significant progress reducing ground-level ozone in the past quarter century. Since 1980, ozone levels have dropped 21 percent nationwide. Currently 104 US counties are not in compliance with today’s ozone levels. Based on the EPA’s new data and questionable proposed standard, 533 US counties would not be in compliance. Depending on the seriousness of a county’s ozone problems, they would need to comply with the new measures as soon as 2013, with possibly extensions to 2030.

The estimated health benefits of meeting a range of alternative ozone standards based on published scientific studies and the opinion of outside experts will be detailed in a Regulatory Impact Analysis issued by the EPA to be released this summer. Final adoption of the proposed regulations would go into effect by March 12, 2008, after public comment has been heard for 90 days prior to this date.

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EPA's proposal to strengthen standards for ground-level ozone
Union of Concerned Scientists
NewsWise
NCPA E-Team

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How to lower NOx emissions for lean burn engines and gas turbines using selective catalytic reduction.

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Murky Results for Ethanol Emissions

An environmental engineer from Stanford University using computer modeling software, has compared US air pollution levels in 2020 produced by gasoline fueled-vehicles vs. a fleet that burns an ethanol/gasoline blend of 85/15.

The study indicates that ethanol could potentially add more smog-forming pollutants to the atmosphere than gasoline, by increasing hydrocarbons by 22 percent. This would increase surface ozone, as well as ozone-related deaths. Currently 4,700 people die yearly from respiratory problems related to smog. According to the study, 200 more people would die each year if ethanol use was increased.

In the study published in Environmental Science & Technology, Stanford engineer Mark Jacobson writes: “Due to its ozone effects, future E85 may be a greater overall public health risk than gasoline. It can be concluded with confidence only that E85 is unlikely to improve air quality over future gasoline vehicles."

See the Source:
Scientific American
Environmental Science and Technology
Environmental and Urban Economics

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How to reduce hydrocarbons using oxidation converters from CleanAIR Systems

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Knock NOx – Who’s There?

It’s new emissions control technology from EGR Technologies LLC and CleanAIR Systems to reduce particulate matter and NOx from diesel emissions.

The California Air Resources Board has granted a conditional Level 3 verification for the diesel emission control system (DECS) developed by EGR Technologies using CleanAIR PERMIT diesel particulate filters. As a Level 3 emission control strategy, the technology is verified for use with stationary prime and emergency standby generators and pumps. Comprised of an exhaust gas recirculation unit and a passively regenerating PERMIT Filter, the system also includes the CleanAIR HiBACK USB (a backpressure monitor). The DECS achieves emission reductions of greater than 85% for particulate matter and 50% for NOx.

All internal combustion engines produce NOx emissions and virtually all fuels produce NOx when burned other than electric. NOx is one of the main contributing factors of smog and air pollution. It can have serious health effects such as aggravating respiratory conditions and contributing to premature death.

See the Source:
CARB – Operational Criteria and Engine Families

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Clean Car Standards Clear Final Regulatory Hurdle

Independent Regulatory Review Commission Approves Clean Vehicles Program

HARRISBURG—The state's Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) voted 4-1 today to approve implementation of the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program, which will bring cleaner cars to Pennsylvania. The program is supported by public health and citizens groups, including the Pennsylvania Parent Teachers Association, the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, and the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania.

With approval from the five member IRRC—and the expected sign-off from the Attorney General’s office—the program, which applies to new cars and trucks sold in Pennsylvania starting with model year 2008 models, can be fully adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). There is, however, legislation pending in the state House of Representatives that would block the Clean Vehicles Program from being fully implemented.

“Today’s vote is very good news for Pennsylvania’s environment and public health,” said Nathan Willcox, energy and clean air advocate for PennEnvironment. “Once adopted, the Clean Vehicles Program will be a critical step towards cutting the air pollution that triggers more than 300,000 asthma attacks annually in the Commonwealth.”

Smog pollution is known to trigger asthma, and is responsible for the “code red” pollution days during summer months across the Commonwealth. DEP estimates that annual emissions of smog-forming pollutants from cars and trucks will drop by roughly 10 percent by 2025 as a result of the Clean Vehicles Program. It is also expected that the program will result in a 10 percent cut in annual toxic benzene pollution and a nearly 25 percent reduction in annual global warming pollution from cars and trucks in Pennsylvania by 2025.

Public support for the Clean Vehicles Program was made clear earlier this year, during a public comment period conducted by the state’s Environmental Quality Board. Roughly 4,800 Pennsylvanians commented in support of the program, including 1,500 PennEnvironment activists. The program is also supported by groups including the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Women’s Health & Environmental Network, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and the Pennsylvania Parent Teachers Association. Also, 10 other states—including New York and New Jersey—have already adopted the same standards.

Despite the clear potential benefits of the Clean Vehicles Program and the public support behind it, some state legislators have worked with industry lobbyists to push legislation that would block adoption of the program. This legislation (SB 1025) had been stalled since the spring, but almost received a full floor vote in the state House of Representatives in October. Environmental and public health advocates fought hard against the bill’s movement, and will once again take up the fight should the state House choose to bring the bill up for a vote in its upcoming lame duck session.

“Pennsylvania can’t afford to take steps backward in the fight against air pollution, but that’s exactly what this bill would unfortunately do,” said Willcox. “PennEnvironment urges the House of Representatives to support the Clean Vehicles Program by rejecting SB 1025.”