Air pollution - Terrestrial emissions

Title

Saharan Dust and Associations between Particulate Matter and Daily Mortality in Rome, Italy

Reference

Author(s)

Sandra Mallone, Massimo Stafoggia, Annunziata Faustini, Gian Paolo Gobbi, Achille Marconi, Francesco Forastiere

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background: Outbreaks of Saharan-Sahel dust over Euro-Mediterranean areas frequently induce exceedances of the Europen Union's 24-hr standard of 50 μg/m3 for particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤ than 10 μm (PM10).
Objectives: We evaluated the effect of Saharan dust on the association between different PM fractions and daily mortality in Rome, Italy.
Methods: In a study of 80,423 adult residents who died in Rome between 2001 and 2004, we performed a time-series analysis to explore the effects of PM2.5, PM2.5–10, and PM10 on natural, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and respiratory mortality. We defined Saharan dust days by combining light detection and ranging (LIDAR) observations and analyses from operational models. We tested a Saharan dust–PM interaction term to evaluate the hypothesis that the effects of PM, especially coarse PM (PM2.5–10), on mortality would be enhanced on dust days.
Results: Interquartile range increases in PM2.5–10 (10.8 μg/m3) and PM10 (19.8 μg/m3) were associated with increased mortality due to natural, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and respiratory causes, with estimated effects ranging from 2.64% to 12.65% [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–25.42%] for the association between PM2.5–10 and respiratory mortality (0- to 5-day lag). Associations of PM2.5–10 with cardiac mortality were stronger on Saharan dust days (9.73%; 95% CI, 4.25–15.49%) than on dust-free days (0.86%; 95% CI, –2.47% to 4.31%; p = 0.005). Saharan dust days also modified associations between PM10 and cardiac mortality (9.55% increase; 95% CI, 3.81–15.61%; vs. dust-free days: 2.09%; 95% CI, –0.76% to 5.02%; p = 0.02).
Conclusions: We found evidence of effects of PM2.5–10 and PM10 on natural and cause-specific mortality, with stronger estimated effects on cardiac mortality during Saharan dust outbreaks. Toxicological and biological effects of particles from desert sources need to be further investigated and taken into account in air quality standards.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Source of emissions >> Terrestrial emissions
Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution

Keywords

air pollution, epidemiology, mortality, particulate matter, Saharan dust.

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1003026
This study is free to view

Contact the study author at:

stafoggia@asplazio.it

Title

Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change (NOVAC)-A global network for volcanic gas monitoring: Network layout and instrument description

Reference

J. Geophys. Res., 115, D05304, doi:10.1029/2009JD011823. 2010

Author(s)

Galle, B., M. Johansson, C. Rivera, Y. Zhang, M. Kihlman, C. Kern, T. Lehmann, U. Platt, S. Arellano, and S. Hidalgo

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper presents the global project Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change (NOVAC), the aim of which is automatic gas emission monitoring at active volcanoes worldwide. Data from the network will be used primarily for volcanic risk assessment but also for geophysical research, studies of atmospheric change, and ground validation of satellite instruments. A novel type of instrument, the scanning miniaturized differential optical absorption spectroscopy (Mini-DOAS) instrument, is applied in the network to measure volcanic gas emissions by UV absorption spectroscopy. The instrument is set up 5-10 km downwind of the volcano under study, and typically two to four instruments are deployed at each volcano in order to cover different wind directions and to facilitate measurements of plume height and plume direction. Two different versions of the instrument have been developed. Version I was designed to be a robust and simple instrument for measurement of volcanic SO₂ emissions at high time resolution with minimal power consumption. Version II was designed to allow the best possible spectroscopy and enhanced flexibility in regard to measurement geometry at the cost of larger complexity, power consumption, and price. In this paper the project is described, as well as the developed software, the hardware of the two instrument versions, measurement strategies, data communication, and archiving routines. As of April 2009 a total of 46 instruments have been installed at 18 volcanoes worldwide. As a typical example, the installation at Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador is described, together with some results from the first 21 months of operation at this volcano.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Source of emissions >> Terrestrial emissions
Natural hazards >> Geological hazards

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2010/2009JD011823.shtml
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

bo.galle@rss.chalmers.se