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Junfeng (Jim) Zhang, PhD

Explore the evolution of air pollution in New Jersey from the 1950s to the present, analyzing trends, regulations, and future challenges. Discusses impacts, regulations, and strategies for improved air quality.

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Junfeng (Jim) Zhang, PhD

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  1. Junfeng (Jim) Zhang, PhD Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health UMDNJ- School of Public Health History of Air Pollution and New Jersey Perspectives Presented at NJ Clean Air Council April 14, 2010 Public Hearing

  2. Daytime in London, December 19521952 Particle levels – 3,000 mg/m3 Particle levels – 3,000 mg/m3 Source: National Archives

  3. 2.0 - 1.5 - 1.0 - 0.5 - - 1000 - 900 - 800 - 700 - 600 - 500 - 400 - 300 - 200 - 100 Smoke and sulphur dioxide, mg/m3 Deaths per diem Greater London, 1952 mg/m3 not ug/m3 Smoke Sulphur dioxide Deaths 15 20 25 30 5 10 15 20 November December

  4. Pittsburg During the Pre-EPA Industrial Era U. Pittsburgh

  5. Pittsburgh in 2009

  6. NYC “Thanksgiving” Smog Episode

  7. SO2 Concentrations in NYC Coal Burning Banned in NYC EPA formed by Nixon

  8. Sulfur Dioxide Concentrations in New Jersey 1975-2006 Second Highest Daily Average 1975 – post CAA Major improvement since the 1960’s

  9. Figure 11 Long Term Trend in Particulate Levels State Average 1967-2006 Smoke Shade as and indicator of Particulate Matter – 10X Reduction CAA

  10. Middle of proposed revision

  11. Verdict • NJ has substantially improved Air Quality and reduced unhealthy levels of Air Pollution • Criteria Pollutants • Reductions to meet the original standards • Reductions to meet mandates of Revised Standards • Reasons • Sound implementation Plans • Regional and Local strategies

  12. Contact with pollutant (Exposure)  Dose •  Poison (Health Effects)

  13. Contact with Air Pollution • Historically – Just about anywhere • Outdoors – very high pollution levels – An important consideration since: • Houses were not well insulated – High AER led to high indoor levels from outdoor air • No Air Conditioning increased Outdoor Air Pollution indoors and increased exposure to outdoor air pollution • More Urban living in NJ • Less Travel

  14. Contact with Air Pollution Currently • Outdoors is still dominant for some pollutants but at much lower levels • Indoors -- especially for VOCs and SVOCs, the levels will be higher than measured outdoors • Transportation • More suburban living • More in-transit time

  15. Contact with Air Pollution Challenging Issues • Healthy Communities and Environmental Justice • Identifying problems , e.g . invisible sources under “blue sky” • “Smoking gun”– “new pollutants” • Air toxics: little actions on them • Pollution hot spots • Within a community • Living near roads

  16. Contact with Air Pollution Future • Types of Sources Outdoors – for the foreseeable future most will be the same • Energy sources may change if the country finally gets focused on energy independence • Energy conservation and efficiency • Renewable energy and nuclear power • Fuel-efficient vehicles • Electric cars – Not environmentally neutral – may shift the pollution sources • Science, technology, public awareness, and policy

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