 Source: PRI-Environment With summer nearly here, I recently started considering making a few visits to a couple of the big national parks out west. And as an air quality scientist, one of the very first things I looked into was the pollution levels in and around some of the largest parks. Needless to say, what I found was rather surprising. According to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), approximately 85 percent of the nation’s 417 national parks are dealing with unhealthy air conditions. These poor air conditions have also led to everything from hazier skies to damages to sensitive species and habitats. As such, this is a serious and significant matter for nearly all of the national parks in the country, given that these parks are annually visited by millions of Americans, thus leaving them at risk of unexpected respiratory problems, along with the obstruction of landmarks and wonders within said parks due to the decreased visibility.  Source: SFGate While no park is the same, a large portion of the nation’s 417 parks are found in the West. This region has experienced significant population growth in recent decades, with cities like Phoenix and Denver outpacing the growth of cities back East. This demographic shift in population centers increasing in size in the West has retroactively led to more emission sources, ranging from newer coal plants to greater vehicle emissions owing to more cars in the region. The release of various pollutants, ranging from nitrous oxides and ozone, all effectively are introduced into the atmosphere and are dispersed with respect to wind patterns in a given area. Poor air quality in the west is further enhanced by the Rocky Mountains, which serve as natural barriers that can help to either entrap pollutants or change their trajectories and then advect (move) them to areas that are downstream of their original pollution source. The increase in anthropogenic (man-made) emissions is just one of many variables that are at play in the overall decrease in air quality in recent years. Another major factor is the overall shift in the amount of wildfires that have occurred due in large part to Climate Change. At their core, wildfires release large amounts of particulates into the atmosphere, decreasing air quality across areas as they spread and are transported by upper-level winds. These natural disasters become more frequent and last longer than they have in the past, the west will have to deal not only with more damage and destruction from said wildfires, but also from the negative secondary effects caused by more particulates being released into the air.  Source: Yahoo News Given the decrease in air quality in several of the cities in the West, it comes to no surprise that all of that pollution eventually bleeds into many of the national parks in the region. As such, many visitors from those urban centers who may be visiting said parks to escape the air pollution for a few days tend to be surprised to find that those same conditions have made their way to their vacation destinations. Furthermore, as climate change alters the intensity and length of wildfires, destruction caused by said fires will also be a major concern that national parks in the West will have to deal with as well. With all of this in mind, the real question becomes: what can we do to preserve our national parks and prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead in the coming decades? We can start by acknowledging that there is a significant air quality problem in our national parks that stems from pollution sources in our urban centers. At the local and community level, people can try to reduce their carbon footprints by finding alternative modes of getting around, such as public transit, or by opting in to getting their electricity from more renewable sources like wind or solar power. We can further reduce our pollution levels by demanding for more alternative forms of fuel and more public transportation, and legislating for such things. All in all, it may seem like a daunting task, we need only look back to Theodore Roosevelt, who once said "I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land; but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that come after us." Indeed, if we don’t work to decrease our pollution output and find ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, these wonderful national parks that we have inherited may not be the same national parks we leave behind for the next generation. © 2019 Meteorologist Gerardo Diaz Jr. Sources: NPCA Parks Report 2019: https://www.npca.org/reports/air-climate-report/ Yahoo: https://news.yahoo.com/cant-escape-air-pollution-national-150928067.html Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/national-parks-air-pollution/ PRI-Environment: https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-04-16/fighting-haze-grand-canyon SFGate: https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Yosemite-wildfires-smoke-valley-Empire-South-Fork-12176803.php#photo-14057642
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  Air quality is vital to everyday life and health. Certain gases and particles cause poor air quality (polluted air) in large quantities. This is very unhealthy and unsafe to breathe in.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wrote in an air quality article that they are in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to “issue daily air quality forecasts as part of a national Air Quality Forecasting Capability.” The National Weather Service (NWS) and NOAA implemented this national Air Quality Forecasting Capability that gathers hourly pollutant concentrations in a graphical and numerical form to help prevent the loss of life. NOAA explains the two major pollutant categories: ozone and particulate matter. Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, such as motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents,that produce ground-level ozone when there is heat and sunlight. If ozone gases are inhaled, it can create health problems such as lung irritation and inflammation, asthma attacks, wheezing, coughing, and increased susceptibility of respiratory illnesses. Particulate matter are airborne particles that includes dust, dirt, soot, and smoke. Some particles are directly emitted into the atmosphere and some are formed when gases from burning fuels react with water vapor and sunlight. What impact does weather have on air quality? NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information explains how scientists found a correlation with air quality and heat waves, droughts, and snow storms. An increase in ozone can be caused by heat waves, due to the air being stagnant and trapping emitted pollutants. Heat waves can also create a drought. This can create dry vegetation which is fuel for wildfires thus creating smoke. Also, when there are large snow storms that cause power outages, air quality can be indirectly affected due to people using wood and coal burning stoves, fireplaces, and gas or diesel generators to stay warm. Reducing the amount of the burning of fossil fuels and trying to maintain/prevent wildfires can help keep air quality clean thus making air safer for all humans and animals. To learn more about air quality topics, click here! ©2018 Weather Forecaster Brittany Connelly  Since the year 2000, the largest wildfire in almost every American western state has occurred. As we have seen on the news recently, wildfires possess a capability to completely obliterate anything in its path. Along with infrastructure and economic damage as threats, these wildfires put plumes of fine particulates in the air which causes health damage. These particulates extend far past where the initial spark occurred. Thanks to the atmosphere, the particulates can travel hundreds—If not—thousands of miles away from the fire and have an effect on the air elsewhere.
An analysis of PM2.5, particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, showed that through worsening wildfires, air quality in turn decreases due to the increase in PM2.5. The EPA has established a federal 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter which is the standard for healthy human consumption. In the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, the number of days for which PM2.5 exceeded the EPA standard declined during 2000 through 2016. This decline in the 16-year average can be attributed to efforts to decrease industrial emissions. However, the number of days of exceedances each year during the California wildfire season (June through September) has been increasing. With stronger and more frequent wildfires, this number will increase due to the abundance of PM2.5. Also, longer wildfire seasons are currently being observed, so with this, even more PM2.5 will likely be present in the atmosphere. Speaking of longer wildfire seasons, in the Pacific Northwest along with other western states, seasons are now on average 105 days longer than what they were in the 1970s. With these longer seasons, stronger fires occur as well. For instance, Idaho has experienced more than 10 times as many large fires (more than 1000 acres) in a typical year since the 70s. Oregon and Washington are 7 times as many and 5 times as many, respectively. The American West in recent years has experienced more frequent and stronger wildfires as a result of a drying climate. Efforts to clean the air and to remain below the PM2.5 35 micrograms per cubic meter standard set by the EPA, will be facing a harder challenge in coming years. As said above, air pollution progress is quantifiable and can be observed, but so can the increase in PM2.5. To read Climate Central’s full analysis go, here. To learn about more air quality issues click, here. ©2018 Weather Forecaster Alec Kownacki  DISCUSSION: As the state of California continues to contend with some of the worst wildfire conditions in recorded history, there are several other problems which are quickly emerging from wildfires such as (but certainly not limited to), the Camp Fire, the Woolsey Fire, the Hill Fire, and more. One such problem happens to be a substantial threat to general health and respiratory health issues for people of many different age ranges. For example, those with respiratory issues of any kind are far more vulnerable to the impacts from persistent wildfire smoke as well as people who are particularly young or old. Thus, there is much more to these wildfire threats than immediately meets the eye. Having said that, attached above is a brief video briefing which goes into some of these corresponding health threats in a greater amount of detail. Of course, there is still much more to learn and discuss beyond the scope of this article, so be sure to stay tuned for further updates as the state of California begins to work on getting closer to the road to recovery over time.
To learn more about other air quality topics from around the world, be sure to click here! © 2018 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz A Quick Look at the Difference Between Tropospheric and Stratospheric Ozone (Credit: NASA)8/31/2018  DISCUSSION: When you hear someone say, “There is ozone in the atmosphere,” should you be worried? Well, that depends. Ozone, a chemical molecule formed by three oxygen atoms, has different effects on the earth, depending on where in the atmosphere it exists. Here, we quickly compare two types of ozone: tropospheric ozone (near the surface) and stratospheric ozone (up in the stratosphere). Let’s take a closer look.
There is very little natural tropospheric ozone, so most ozone that forms in the troposphere is purely anthropogenic. Most of the tropospheric ozone is also a secondary pollutant, meaning that it is not directly emitted into the atmosphere, but instead forms when the right conditions occur. Emissions from automobiles and other industrial processes cause higher ozone concentrations during the day. Through some slightly complicated chemistry, when these emissions react with sunlight (known as a photochemical reaction), ozone is formed. High ozone levels at the surface pose a threat to human health, such as respiratory infections. Exposure to ozone can increase the risk of bacteria, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. So, the short answer – ozone at the tropospheric level is bad. Stratospheric ozone, on the other hand, occurs much higher in the atmosphere, and in a much higher concentration – but this is actually a good thing. This layer of ozone in the stratosphere, aptly named “the ozone layer,” is vital to life on earth. It filters out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that would otherwise make earth uninhabitable. This layer, however, has been depleted in the past by the release of aerosol chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a chemical that contains carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. Through some more complex chemistry, these CFCs destroy stratospheric ozone, therefore resulting in their ban in 1978. It is worth mentioning that there can be an exchange between stratospheric ozone and tropospheric ozone. Although a stable layer of air exists between the troposphere and stratosphere, trace measurements have shown that there is in fact gas exchange between these two layers of the atmosphere, but it takes place very slowly – on the order of years. To learn more about air quality, click here! © 2018 Meteorologist Joseph Fogarty  DISCUSSION: With the volcanic eruptions in Hawaii and Guatemala releasing volcanic ash dust into the atmosphere, these particulates could have drastic implications on life in these areas. This discussion will outline some of the elements that can be found in the atmosphere. Some of these can be detrimental to human health.
Particulates are solid and liquid material that can be 0.1 to 100 micrometers in size. These represent about 90% of all atmospheric particles. These can come from natural sources such as ash, dirt, dust, and pollen. Particulates can also come from human activity such as combustion, incineration, and construction. These pollutants are commonly made of carbon and silica, however other elements could be included. A particulates lifespan in the atmosphere can be dependent on its size. Particulates greater than 10 micrometers in size tend to disperse out of the air after emission. Any particulate between 1 and 10 micrometers lifespan is dependent on the state of the atmosphere at the time of emission. Anything less than 1 micrometer can stay in the air for a long time! Particulate matter is classified relative to 2.5 and 10 micrometers. These are labeled as PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Carbon in the atmosphere, in one way, can be described by its oxides. The most prevalent ones are Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide. Carbon Monoxide, labeled as CO, is generated by combustion engines. CO is very dangerous to human life as it can easily bind to hemoglobin. This prevents oxygen from reaching the brain and other organs. Carbon Dioxide is produced in a variety of ways. Some of the natural ways that Carbon Dioxide is produced is through volcanoes, plants, weathering of rocks, etc. Carbon Dioxide can be removed by “sinks” in the world. Oceans are one of these “sinks,” by removing roughly 1/3 of the Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere. However, Carbon Dioxide has been on a steady increase since the Industrial Revolution. Carbon can also be described as Hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are Carbon molecules attached to an amount of Hydrogen molecules. A notable Hydrocarbon is methane, which is a significant greenhouse gas. Hydrocarbons can be released through natural sources such as animals and wetlands. Human activity such as coal and gas production also produce methane. Other elements that can be found in the atmosphere with their oxides are Sulfur and Nitrogen. Unlike Nitrogen, Sulfur can also be found in the atmosphere as Hydrogen Sulfide. Nitrogen compounds can arise naturally from oceans and soil decomposition. Nitrogen oxides are produced from human activity and is corrosive to many surfaces. Roughly 2/3rds of sulfur in the atmosphere can come from natural sources. Human activity such as coal plants, gas plants, paper mills, and oil refineries can release sulfur into the atmosphere. For more about Air Quality, click here! © 2018 Meteorologist Jennifer Naillon  Imagine a pollutant as an unwanted guest in a family house. The pollutant will eventually overstay its welcome. Certain processes act like the “enforcers” of the family and remove the pollutant from the house. This happens frequently in the atmosphere!
There are three distinct processes that remove pollution from the atmosphere. The three processes are: gravitational settling, dry deposition, and precipitation scavenging. Gravitational settling is where particulates come down to the surface by gravity. This process removes most particulates that are greater than 0.1 micrometers. The larger particles will be removed quickly. However, particles on the smaller end could remain suspended by turbulence. When the turbulence dies down the smaller particles will eventually settle down. Dry deposition, also known as adsorption, is a turbulent transfer process. Dry deposition is a downward flux where the surface acts as a “sink.” Two causes of dry deposition are impaction and interception. Impaction is where smaller particles near larger ones cannot follow the normal flow, so they hit a water droplet. Interception is where small particles follow normal flow near an obstruction, and then the particle collides into the obstruction. The rate at which pollution descends towards the surface is determined by the state of turbulence, bacterial activity over soil, or surface tension over water. This is a continuous process because it is not dependent on any precipitation. Precipitation scavenging is a more efficient process than dry deposition and gravitational settling. This process is the best at removing gases and small particulates. Many of these particulates are condensation nuclei. Condensation nuclei are particles which water vapor condenses upon in the atmosphere. Once many nuclei accumulate and become large enough to fall, it precipitates as rainout or snowout. Washout occurs outside of the cloud. The greater the precipitation, the greater the amount of pollution that can be removed. In comparing the efficiencies of washout, snowout, and rainout, washout tops the list. However, washout depends on the rainfall rate, the size of the rain drops, and the pollutants that it gathers. In conclusion, air pollutants will eventually find their way out of the atmosphere by gravity, turbulence, or by precipitation. To learn more about air quality, click here! © 2018 Weather Forecaster Jennifer Naillon  DISCUSSION: The purpose of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) is to quickly alert people to general air quality conditions and provide guidance that they may need to limit their exposure to outside air. Specifically, the index takes into account observations of various air pollutants, including near-surface ozone, particulate matter (small and larger particles), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. A calculation converts the observed concentration of each of the above six pollutants to an AQI value. The pollutant with the highest AQI is associated with the scale above where a smaller AQI value (~25) indicates good air quality that poses little risk. A higher value (up to 500) indicates hazardous conditions even for healthy people.
As described by Physics Today's Mika McKinnon here, the recent fires in California highlighted several issues with the AQI. First, the AQI doesn't specify which pollutant triggered the value given. The pollutant with the highest concentration is important for determining which groups are most at risk. For example, carbon monoxide is especially dangerous for those with a heart attack risk, while ozone is especially dangerous for the very young and old. Thus, the AQI as given doesn't specify which people are most at risk on a given day. In addition, how frequently the AQI is updated depends on the number of observations in an area. In remote locations with few observations, it can take 24 hours or longer for the AQI to update. In the case of California fires, there was visibly hazy, dangerous air, while the AQI indicated good air quality conditions before it eventually updated to a higher value. Obviously, an AQI that doesn't necessarily match current conditions could pose a problem. The point of this article is not to discourage people from paying attention to the AQI. It does provide some indication of air quality conditions and actions that may need to be taken by certain groups of people. It is easy to read and understand. However, it is important to understand the limitations of this tool in order to use it most effectively and to spur further improvements of the tool. Click here to learn more about air quality throughout the globe! ©2017 Meteorologist Dr. Ken Leppert II  photo credit: (Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow Air Quality Index) DISCUSSION:
Although the excessive heat of the summer months allows for beach days, BBQs, and playing outside, it is crucial to remain aware of the extraordinarily hot temperatures for health concerns. The relentless sunshine can create unsafe air quality conditions in many regions across the United States. Not only is it essential to remain aware of summer illnesses like heat stroke, but an extra precaution must be taken during the excruciating summer weather to avoid respiratory and cardiovascular problems related to unsafe air quality. Specifically, tropospheric ozone forms as a result of sunlight reacting with nitrous oxides and volatile organic compounds. Therefore, the longer the sun shines throughout the day, the poorer the air can become. Sensitive groups are at severe risk during the summer, especially in densely populated/urban areas due to heightened emissions. Poor air quality is responsible for lung injury and possesses life-threatening outcomes. It is imperative to bear in mind that one should always attempt to lessen car emissions by consolidating trips, reduce the use of substances with chemical solvents, and to check air quality updates. The National Weather Service, partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency, produces daily air quality forecasts to protect the safety of people and the environment, so be sure to keep updated on your region’s ozone and smoke outlooks! A helpful resource for air quality is the EPA’s AirNow, which utilizes the AQI Index and is an easy-to-use tool to remain informed when it is (and when it is not) safe to spend time outdoors! Click here to learn more about air quality throughout the globe! ©2017 Meteorologist Alexa Trischler  photo credit: (Francesco Fiondella/International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Columbia) According to models published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, a decrease in sulfur dioxide levels in the United States can markedly increase the rainfall of Africa’s Sahel region by the year 2100.
Since the 1970’s, the United States has been on a mission to particularly cut emissions of sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is a harmful gas that is yielded from the burning of coal. This gas leads to acid rain, poisoning crops around the world, and even induces respiratory problems in animals. In addition, sulfur dioxide “simultaneously cools and dries earth's climate by reflecting sunlight back to space and suppressing heat-driven evaporation near the ground.” By eliminating sulfur dioxide emissions out completely, models suggest that by the year 2100, there will be a 10% increase (from 2000 levels) in rainfall in Africa’s Sahel region (the transition region between the Sahara desert to the north and the Savanna to the south). The increase in rainfall will also cause the crop season to last longer, allowing harvesting to hit an all-time high. This will also generate economic growth. To learn more about air quality around the world and the research behind it, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist David Tedesco NOAA ATom Project Gets Underway! (credit: Christina Williamson via NWS Aviation Weather Center)8/3/2016 
DISCUSSION: As another neat scientific expedition being funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gets underway, here is a neat graphic and discussion below concerning this particular air pollution-oriented project. The project's name being the "Atmospheric Tomography mission" has it's goals set on studying and developing an improved understanding for how relatively short-lived greenhouse gases (e.g., ozone, methane, etc.) ultimately contribute to the effects of climate change around the world. Attached below you can clearly see the NOAA DC-8 aircraft being prepared for its departure! A very neat study without question! To learn about other neat studies being done in regards to air pollution and/or air quality research around the world, be sure to click here!
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