Evolution of Air Pollution Monitoring in Ottawa

1. Evolution of Air Pollution Monitoring in Ottawa Natty Urquizo and Martha Robinson Environmental Sustainability & Public Health City of Ottawa Hamilton February 2012

2. Reasons for Air Quality Monitoring • Although Ottawa has good air, OMA (2008) estimates over 500/yr premature deaths • Windsor – Quebec City Corridor is the most polluted in the country • There was a single NAPS for 2,700 km2 up to 2007 • Measuring is essential for air pollution management

3. Pilot Project Overview • Map pollution concentration spatially hour by hour to identify patterns (“hot spots”) • One full year of monitoring (Jul’07-Jun’08) six major pollutants: • Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, NOx) • Ground Level ozone • Carbon Monoxide • Particulate Matter 2.5 • Three months of integrating satellite data and ground monitoring stations

4. Pilot Project Partners • GeoConnections - NRCan, main sponsor • Transport Canada • Environment Canada • Ontario Ministry of the Environment • Ottawa International Airport • Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs– Quebec

5. Ground Level Monitoring Locations

6. Validation • Mobile labsin 8 sites across the city • One road side monitor

7. Transportation Impact on NO2 Percentage of time when NO2 above 50 ppb Standard: EU 79 ppb/hr US 100 ppb/hr CAN 200 ppb/hr NO2 > 50ppb 2007-12-10 - 2007-12-12

8. Maximum PM2.5 • Standard • 30 µg/m3 • NO safe level • Local source

9. September 14th 2007 Episode Montreal Influence • The impact of transboundary pollution due to a high pressure system • Gradient shown by satellite data • Effects of precipitation

30. Added Value of satellite data NO2 Ground Level (NAPS) NO2 OMI/Aura + NAPS + model

31. AQHI using satellite data Air Quality Health Index

32. What do Single Pollutant Maps Mean? Needed a health connection

33. Health Assessment Model • Translate Air Quality maps from the pilot project (2008) into meaningful health impacts (morbidity, mortality and $$$) • Use Air Quality Benefits Assessment Tool (AQBAT) • Obtain a tool for health impact assessments of changing traffic flows

37. Health Endpoint Report Dates: 10 Mar 08 to 14 Mar 08 Endpoint Cases Valuation ($) Acute Exposure Mortality 0.01 65000 Acute Respiratory Symptom Days 190 3100 Asthma Symptom Days 18 1200 Minor Restricted Activity Days 38 1100 Respiratory Emergency Room Visits 0.08 220 Respiratory Hospital Admissions 0.02 110 Adult Chronic Bronchitis 0.01 3200 Cardiac Emergency Room Visits 0 4.1 Cardiac Hospital Admissions 0 3.7 Child Acute Bronchitis Episodes 0.03 13 Chronic Exposure Mortality 0.01 40000 Restricted Activity Days 9.8 600 Elderly Cardiac Hospital Admissions 0 13 Total Valuation $110,000

38. Immediate or possible uses of the Health Assessment model • Assess Health Impacts of OC-Transpo Depot Expansion • Community demanded monitoring • Challenges using roadside monitors make this tool ideal • Assess Health impacts of areas with over 10,000 car/day

39. 3-D street level modeling • Six blocks of Albert Street were modelled and validated using two road side monitors • Measurements were at: • 7 m above road • 45 m above road