Air Pollution - Scientific Facts and Potential Resolutions

Lin Wang

Fudan University

October 17, 2013

GDC  Monthly  Sustainability  Forum  at  Arup  Associates�

Regional Haze is becoming a serious problem in China

（Zhang et al., ACP, 2012）

1960s

1980s

2000s

Extreme air pollution events occurred…

雾霾日数实况图 2013年1月7-13日 中央气象台 The long-lasting great haze in January 2013 that

covered the developed region of China, is already

in the oversea textbook  The area suffering from air pollution is about 1.3 million

square kilometers

 Visibility was less than 500 meters in certain regions

The cause of extreme pollution and degradation of visibility ‒ fine particles

Fine particles PM2.5�

Size distribution of atmospheric particles

By scattering solar radiation, aerosols increase the Earthʼs albedo"

Scattering efficiency is maximum when particle diameter = λ e particles in 0.1-1 µm"size range are efficient scatterers of solar radiation

2 (diffraction limit)"

Brown Carbon"

Black Carbon"

（Moosmuller et al., ACP, 2011）

Global  Burden  of  Diseases  2010

8

4

Lim et al, Lancet, 2013

China"Global"

In  China,  20%  of  lung  cancer  mortality  and  40%  of  Cardiovascular  diseases  mortality  are  related  to  PM2.5  polluEon.

Global PM2.5 concentrations: 2001-2006

Source: NASA, USA

Scientific Facts：

API, PM10, SO2 and NOx in Shanghai from 2000 to 2011�

Courtesy of Prof. Chen JM

Courtesy of Dr. I. Riipinen

Isoprene (C5H8)

Monoterpenes(C10H16)

Sesquiterpenes (C15H24)

WHICH VOCʼs ARE IMPORTANT SOA PRECURSORS?"

Anthropogenic SOA-precursors = aromatics (emissions are 10x smaller) "

Nucleation：

Courtesy of University of Helsinki

Complexity – the word to describe fine aerosol composition

Spring  2012�

44.9±25.8  µg/m3�46.5±25.4  µg/m3�

45.5±32.7  µg/m3�

49.6±33.0  µg/m3�

32.6±16.2  µg/m3�

34.9±18.9  µg/m3�

Courtesy of SEMC �

Potential Resolution, USA as an example

Clean Air Act Harvard

6 city study

PM2.5 stardard by

EPA

American Cancer Society

study

Global PM2.5 standard by WHO

London  fog  and  Los  Angeles  

photochemical  smog

Observation

Causes for Pollution

Characteristics & Processes Exposure–

Response Function of PM2.5

Decision-making by the Administration

Public Health Evaluation of PM2.5

Pathway  to  Control  Air  PolluEon Meteorolog

y

Modelling

Laboratory

Academia� Industry

Policy-maker

Interplay  of  Policy-­‐maker,  industry,  and  academia

Are We Capable of Cleaning Our Air?

Yes,    

but  it  is  a  long  process  that  requires  the  collaboraKon  

of  everyone  and  every  sector  of  our  society.