Year: 1998

Publication type: Studies

Public files

Issues examined in this report include specific evaluations of matters relating to the so-called "traditional" pollutants (lead, ozone, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide) as well as a more general consideration of "toxic/hazardous" pollutants (i.e. non traditional pollutants) which include three generic types of contaminants: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals.

Adverse health and environmental effects of each of the traditional pollutants are described in detail in the second chapter. Ambient air quality standards, as established for traditional air pollutants in many countries of the world, including Latin America are presented in the report and their usefulness to air quality management is discussed. Sources of traditional pollutants for four major Latin American cities (Mexico City, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires) are discussed. An illustrative international inventory of SO2 emissions is presented and analyzed. Categories for stationary sources for which emission standards have been set are presented in the report for both traditional and toxic pollutants.

A discussion is presented in as to the relationship between air pollution and atmospheric physics. Meteorological influences on contaminant dispersion are illustrated for urban areas through an examination of a simple advective model which neglects horizontal dispersion processes. A review is presented of plume dispersion models currently available from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Observations of traditional air pollutants have been made in twenty of the world's megacities as part of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Findings of the program are reviewed in Chapter Seven with emphasis on Latin American cities. Conclusions are presented as to the types of observational programs and existing levels of pollutants in these large urban areas.