damages incurred. In risk-based policy, allowable pollutant concentrations are set with the
knowledge and acceptance of the damage
likely to be realized.
Secondary pollutants Pollutants not released
directly from sources but formed in the environment via chemical reactions among primary
pollutants facilitated by atmospheric conditions such as moisture, temperature, and
sunlight.
Secondary standards US EPA Air pollution
standards set to mitigate regional environmental problems.
Socio-ecological justice Fairness concerning
both the social realm (e.g., fairness among
social classes) and the ecological realm (e.g.,
distribution schemes, including ecosystems as
stakeholders), and the interaction between the
two realms.
Source apportionment Attributing the pollutants in a region or at a receptor site to their
sources, for example, quantification of the portion of ambient NO x originating from the transportation sector versus the industrial sector.
Target load The pollution burden aimed for in
policy. The load deemed achievable once “other
factors (such as ethics, scientific uncertainties,
and social and economic effects) are balanced
with environmental considerations.” [1]
Transit-oriented development Construction or
reconstruction of the urban form designed to
facilitate use of public transportation vehicles
as a primary means of medium to long-distance
personal transportation.
Troposphere The layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface, where human exposure to air pollutants occurs.
Urban form The physical shape and design of
cities, their structures, and their infrastructure.
Definition of the Subject
Air pollution monitoring is the use of scientific
and mathematical tools and methods to assess the
concentrations or rates of emission of air pollution
in various environments. Monitoring is usually
performed at ground level in populated areas,
where humans exposure tends to occur but can
also include measurements at other altitudes, in
other spheres of the atmosphere, or in
unpopulated areas. Monitoring data is often an
important input into air pollution research
projects.
Introduction
Air pollution monitoring is concerned with
collecting evidence about the emissions, concentrations, and effects of air pollutants. There are a
number of effects of air pollution. Those most
commonly recognized are negative impacts on
human health, ecosystems, and the economy. Current air pollution monitoring assesses the properties of air pollution in the atmosphere by
monitoring ambient air, monitoring emissions
from pollution sources, remotely sensing air pollution indicators via satellite, and through the use
of numerical models. Monitoring efforts allow for
air quality warnings, tracking trends over time, air
pollution research, and policy development,
including pollutant concentration and emissions
standards. While air pollution monitoring has led
to many substantial successes in the reduction of
impacts from air pollution, many air pollution
problems are still outstanding.
Air pollution monitoring is an essential activity
in the assessment of environmental quality and
provides information without which acting to promote sustainability would be impossible. However, air pollution monitoring must be expanded
in breadth and depth if societies are to progress
toward sustainability. Monitoring must extend the
information provided in service of more diverse
goals. These goals should include facilitating
urban design for air quality, socio-ecological justice, methods for acceleration of air pollution
research, resilience, and preservation of natural
capital. Work that crosses intellectual disciplines
would also help, as would public involvement in
monitoring. Immediate steps the air pollution
monitoring community could take to improve its
routine practice include the development of multipollutant impact assessments, greater consideration of consolidated metrics, more and better
use of satellite-derived observations, routine use
Air Pollution Monitoring and Sustainability
387
knowledge and acceptance of the damage
likely to be realized.
Secondary pollutants Pollutants not released
directly from sources but formed in the environment via chemical reactions among primary
pollutants facilitated by atmospheric conditions such as moisture, temperature, and
sunlight.
Secondary standards US EPA Air pollution
standards set to mitigate regional environmental problems.
Socio-ecological justice Fairness concerning
both the social realm (e.g., fairness among
social classes) and the ecological realm (e.g.,
distribution schemes, including ecosystems as
stakeholders), and the interaction between the
two realms.
Source apportionment Attributing the pollutants in a region or at a receptor site to their
sources, for example, quantification of the portion of ambient NO x originating from the transportation sector versus the industrial sector.
Target load The pollution burden aimed for in
policy. The load deemed achievable once “other
factors (such as ethics, scientific uncertainties,
and social and economic effects) are balanced
with environmental considerations.” [1]
Transit-oriented development Construction or
reconstruction of the urban form designed to
facilitate use of public transportation vehicles
as a primary means of medium to long-distance
personal transportation.
Troposphere The layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface, where human exposure to air pollutants occurs.
Urban form The physical shape and design of
cities, their structures, and their infrastructure.
Definition of the Subject
Air pollution monitoring is the use of scientific
and mathematical tools and methods to assess the
concentrations or rates of emission of air pollution
in various environments. Monitoring is usually
performed at ground level in populated areas,
where humans exposure tends to occur but can
also include measurements at other altitudes, in
other spheres of the atmosphere, or in
unpopulated areas. Monitoring data is often an
important input into air pollution research
projects.
Introduction
Air pollution monitoring is concerned with
collecting evidence about the emissions, concentrations, and effects of air pollutants. There are a
number of effects of air pollution. Those most
commonly recognized are negative impacts on
human health, ecosystems, and the economy. Current air pollution monitoring assesses the properties of air pollution in the atmosphere by
monitoring ambient air, monitoring emissions
from pollution sources, remotely sensing air pollution indicators via satellite, and through the use
of numerical models. Monitoring efforts allow for
air quality warnings, tracking trends over time, air
pollution research, and policy development,
including pollutant concentration and emissions
standards. While air pollution monitoring has led
to many substantial successes in the reduction of
impacts from air pollution, many air pollution
problems are still outstanding.
Air pollution monitoring is an essential activity
in the assessment of environmental quality and
provides information without which acting to promote sustainability would be impossible. However, air pollution monitoring must be expanded
in breadth and depth if societies are to progress
toward sustainability. Monitoring must extend the
information provided in service of more diverse
goals. These goals should include facilitating
urban design for air quality, socio-ecological justice, methods for acceleration of air pollution
research, resilience, and preservation of natural
capital. Work that crosses intellectual disciplines
would also help, as would public involvement in
monitoring. Immediate steps the air pollution
monitoring community could take to improve its
routine practice include the development of multipollutant impact assessments, greater consideration of consolidated metrics, more and better
use of satellite-derived observations, routine use
Air Pollution Monitoring and Sustainability
387