Air Quality Assessment in Populated Area, Houston

Focused on NOx & SO2

Eon S. Lee

Order

• Outdoor Pollution Source

• Common Pollutants in Urban Area

• Population & NOx Distribution

• Annual NOx Concentration

• Annual SO2 Concentration

• Annual NOx & SO2 Concentration

• Conclusion

Outdoor Pollution Source

Industrial Emission (NOx, SO2) Transportation (NOx, SO2)

Incomplete Combustion

Common Pollutants in Urban Area

• A complex mixture including varying proportions of air, pollutants, humidity and allergens.

• Ozone, generated by reaction of NOx;NO2 +O2 NO +O3

• SO2, Acid rain, Toxic (not focused)

• Heat Island Effect• Occurs in the middle of Houston• 2.1 million people exposed.• Causes cancer and bronchial diseases

Population & NOx Distribution

NOx emission by year

SO2 Emission by year

Annual NOx & SO2 Concentration

Conclusion• Overall NOx concentration is acceptable.• Less considered for SO2 concentration.• Necessary to make air quality standards

for consider building-concentrated area with large population/area ratio.

• Apply the heat island effect.• Personal protection.

Any Question?