Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)最新文献

{"title":"Atmospheric particle deposition and anthropogenic microparticles in tofu from plastic-waste-fueled small-scale industries in Sidoarjo, Indonesia.","authors":"Globila Nurika, Edza Aria Wikurendra, Krassi Rumchev, Putri Ayuni Alayyannur, Aristanto Prambudi","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2737845","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2026.2737845","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plastic-waste combustion in small-scale food production may create particle-rich environments with potential for deposition onto exposed foods, yet paired environmental-food evidence remains limited. This cross-sectional study quantified atmospheric particle deposition and anthropogenic microparticles in tofu at 11 plastic-waste-fueled sites in Tropodo Village, Sidoarjo, Indonesia. Particles settling over 24 h were collected using passive dust-fall samplers, enumerated by stereomicroscopy, and classified as fibers, films, or fragments. One selected particle per deposition sample underwent ATR-FTIR screening. Tofu was analyzed using one 5g portion per site; pooled material from all 11 samples underwent ATR-FTIR screening, which could not confirm polymer identity in individual samples. Across sites, 221 deposited particles were counted: fibers 40.7%, films 32.6%, and fragments 26.7%. Deposition rates ranged from 1,401.27 to 4,713.38 particles m^-2 d^-1. Anthropogenic microparticles were visually detected in tofu from 9 of 11 sites (81.8%), at 0.00-2.20 particles g^-1. Particle deposition was positively associated with tofu particle abundance (Pearson <i>r</i>=0.744,<i>p</i>=0.009), but the small sample and lack of particle-specific polymer matching preclude inference of direct air-to-food transfer. Without biomass-only or non-plastic-fuel reference sites, deposition cannot be attributed specifically to plastic-waste combustion. These findings identify the sampled facilities as high deposition production environments and support cleaner fuel substitution, protected food storage, contamination controls, and particle-level spectroscopic confirmation.<i>Implications</i>: This study identifies plastic-waste-fueled tofu production as a localized setting with substantial atmospheric particle deposition and co-occurring anthropogenic microparticles in exposed tofu. The findings suggest that waste-derived fuel use may contribute to environmental particle exposure and food-contact contamination, although source attribution is constrained by other local emissions. Practical risk-reduction measures include replacing plastic waste with cleaner fuels, separating combustion from tofu storage, improving dust and ash control, and protecting finished products. Future monitoring should integrate passive deposition sampling, contamination controls, and particle-level spectroscopic confirmation to strengthen source attribution and evaluate interventions.   .</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149140297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health-based emissions limits: Integrating evidence for threshold vs. non-threshold health effects using HCl as an example.","authors":"Debra A Kaden, Thomas J Luben, Melanie C Buser, Sandra I Sulsky","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2723769","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2723769","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may set emissions standards according to a threshold for maximum exposure that accounts for a substantial safety margin if exposure to a substance is expected to operate according to a non-linear, threshold model. The consideration of health-based thresholds for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that are being considered for carcinogenicity is relatively novel and reflects the fact that EPA now recognizes that some HAPs (both carcinogens and non-carcinogens) can be either non-threshold or threshold pollutants, or both, depending on the health outcome of interest. If a threshold model is accepted for carcinogenicity, EPA may set a health-based emission limit (HBEL), in addition to existing technology-based requirements, using the estimated threshold, plus an ample margin of safety. EPA is currently considering thresholds for several substances, including hydrochloric acid (HCl). To demonstrate the type of analysis that might address this issue, we conducted a targeted literature review of the evidence regarding the carcinogenicity of HCl based on available epidemiologic and toxicological studies, including genotoxicity studies. We discuss when regulations could be based on threshold vs. non-threshold models, using HCl as a case study. We found no evidence to support the use of a linear, no-threshold model and limited, inconsistent evidence to suggest that HCl is likely to be carcinogenic or a DNA-reactive mutagen. The evidence summarized here is intended to aid EPA in its risk evaluation and clearly supports the setting of an HBEL for HCl and other chemicals where the biological mechanism supports the existence of a threshold.<i>Implications</i>: Section 112(d)(4) of the Clean Air Act permits EPA to consider health-based emission limits for hazardous air pollutants when the available scientific evidence supports the existence of a threshold for adverse effects and an ample margin of safety can be established. Using hydrochloric acid as a case study, this review integrates epidemiologic, toxicologic, and mechanistic evidence relevant to evaluating threshold versus non-threshold modes of action. The evidence is more consistent with threshold-mediated effects than with a direct mutagenic carcinogenic mechanism and may inform future scientific evaluations conducted under Section 112(d)(4).</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148876660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From landfills to resources: Comprehensive characterization of industrial and commercial waste to support recovery pathways.","authors":"Ever Efraín García-Balandrán, Uriel Galván-Arzola, Gloria Lourdes Dimas-Rivera, Luis Humberto Álvarez-Valencia, Alonso Albalate-Ramírez, Patricio Alejandro Neumann-Langdon, Pasiano Rivas-García","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2685118","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2685118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The increasing generation of industrial and commercial waste (ICW) in urban regions undergoing industrial expansion poses significant challenges for landfill-based waste management systems. This study presents a comprehensive characterization of ICW generated in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area, MX, to support the assessment of its recycling and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) potential through thermal (incineration) and biological (anaerobic digestion) pathways. The study combines statistical evaluation of landfill-received ICW streams with the characterization of heterogeneous commercial waste and segregated industrial fractions to assess their variability, composition, and recovery potential. Daily ICW disposal during 2023-2024 was modeled using probability function fitting, complemented by physicochemical, energetic, elemental, and heavy metal analyses from four sampling campaigns conducted between November 2023 and March 2024. Heterogeneous ICW accounted for 310,782 t y^-1, representing approximately 58% of the total landfill-disposed ICW, and consisted mainly of paper and cardboard (38.1%), plastics (22.8%), and organic waste (14.5%). Most recyclable fractions followed log-normal distributions, whereas wastepaper sludge and segregated food waste exhibited normal distributions associated with more stable generation patterns. The inorganic fraction showed an average lower heating value of 14.3 MJ kg^-1 and chlorine contents below 0.2%, meeting Class 1 RDF quality criteria. Polymeric fractions such as LDPE and HDPE exhibited carbon contents above 60% and LHVs up to 40.8 MJ kg^-1. Heavy metal concentrations were low, while the food fraction exhibited an average biochemical methane potential of 115.2 mL CH₄ g VS^-1. Overall, inorganic and organic ICW fractions could provide up to 217 and 2.7 GWh y^-1 of recoverable energy, respectively, while recycling pathways could substitute nearly 1,500 t of virgin materials annually. These findings demonstrate that detailed ICW characterization supports the identification of priority fractions for recovery and the design of recycling and WtE systems in landfill-dependent waste management contexts.<i>Implications</i>: Addressing the lack of industrial and commercial waste (ICW) data in Latin America, this study presents a methodological framework combining sampling (2023-2024) and probabilistic modeling. Focusing on Monterrey, Mexico, where half a million tons of ICW are landfilled annually, the research provides key data on composition, contaminants, and energy potential. These findings support realistic scenarios for recycling, waste-to-energy valorization, logistical planning, and GHG quantification. This strategic information is vital to strengthen regional regulatory frameworks, guide policy decision-making, and drive public-private investments in infrastructure within landfill-dominated management systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"852-869"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148371743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of air pollution on paediatric hospital admissions for acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during Hajj events.","authors":"Albaraa A Milibari, Ivan C Hanigan, Hatim M Badri, Wahaj A Khan, Esraa M Gadah, Krassi Rumchev","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2694481","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2694481","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Air pollution is a major public health concern, particularly for children who are more susceptible to its harmful respiratory effects. Makkah experiences elevated levels of air pollution due to the influx of religious visitors, vehicular emissions, and traffic during the annual Hajj. The resulting increase in air pollutants raises concerns about respiratory health risks among children, yet local research has focused little on this vulnerable group. This study investigated the association between air pollutants (PM₁₀ and NO₂) and pediatric admissions from acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) among children aged 5-14 years in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, from January 2021 to December 2022. The study period overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic, which was considered when interpreting the findings. Daily time-series log-linear Poisson regression models were used, adjusting for temporal trends using natural cubic splines, meteorological variables, and sociodemographic factors. Relative risks were estimated per interquartile range increase in pollutant concentrations across lag days 0-2. Hajj-specific associations were assessed using interaction terms for the Hajj and non-Hajj periods. Exposure to NO₂ was significantly associated with an increased risk of same-day ALRI admissions in children during the Hajj events (RR = 1.033; 95% CI: 1.003-1.063 per IQR rise) but not outside the Hajj events. In contrast, PM₁₀ effects were non-significant. The findings suggest that NO₂, but not PM₁₀, was associated with ALRI admissions during Hajj, highlighting the need for Hajj-focused traffic-emission control and child health protection strategies in Makkah.<i>Implications</i>: Increased NO₂ levels during Hajj are associated with higher pediatric ALRI admissions, highlighting the need for targeted air quality management during mass gatherings. Strengthening emission controls, traffic regulation, and monitoring can reduce exposure and protect vulnerable children.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"886-897"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148475696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing well-to-wheel decarbonization pathways and carbon pricing for a mixed-powertrain ride-sourcing fleet.","authors":"Hsing-Chung Chu","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2715452","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2715452","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although transitioning to electric mobility is critical, decarbonization pathways for mixed-powertrain ride-sourcing fleets, particularly those already dominated by hybrid electric vehicles, remain underexplored. This study assesses well-to-wheel emissions and carbon pricing implications for a regional ride-sourcing fleet through a policy-anchored scenario-simulation framework. Within this framework, a hybrid ARIMA-LSTM model is employed to forecast mileage demand as a key input, which is then integrated with time-varying emission factors and national electrification pathways to evaluate emission and carbon-fee outcomes across scenarios. Five scenarios were established, ranging from a baseline of 100% internal combustion engine vehicles to policy-driven targets of 30%, 60%, and 100% electric vehicles by 2030, 2035, and 2040. Results reveal a significant divergence: while tank-to-wheel emissions decrease by 33%, 62%, and 100% respectively, reductions are limited to 17%, 29%, and 44% when well-to-wheel emissions are taken into account. Furthermore, analysis confirmed that fleet electrification would effectively mitigate future expenditures for carbon fees. Regarding electricity emission factors, estimations showed that faster grid decarbonization leads to significantly greater cumulative reductions. This demonstrates that vehicle electrification alone is insufficient for deep decarbonization; its benefits are significantly enhanced only when combined with parallel grid decarbonization, producing a compounding reduction effect across the well-to-wheel boundary.<i>Implications</i>: This study demonstrates that for mixed-powertrain fleets, relying solely on tank-to-wheel metrics overstates the achievable decarbonization under full electrification, indicating a 100% reduction when the actual well-to-wheel reduction is only 44%. Consequently, policymakers must synchronize vehicle electrification mandates with accelerated grid decarbonization to bridge the gap between local zero-emission targets and actual lifecycle reductions. Furthermore, the analysis confirms that fleet electrification serves as a critical financial hedge against rising carbon prices. These insights provide stakeholders with a realistic framework for integrating transportation strategies with energy policy to ensure holistic long-term sustainability.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148709395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pyrolysis technologies for valorisation of healthcare waste: A review on processes, products, and challenges.","authors":"Bothwell Nyoni, Ellah Zingani, Calvin Phiri, Jabulani I Mnyango, Bienvenu G Fouda-Mbanga, Bongibethu M Hlabano-Moyo, Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva, Shanganyane P Hlangothi","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2680281","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2680281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Incineration remains a common method for healthcare waste disposal; however, concerns related to air pollutant emissions, limited resource recovery, and compatibility with circular economy goals have driven interest in alternative treatment technologies. Among thermochemical options, pyrolysis offers advantages over incineration by operating under oxygen-limited conditions, enabling conversion of waste into value-added products while potentially reducing the formation of regulated air pollutants. This review examines the state of pyrolytic valorization of healthcare waste and its potential role within sustainable waste management systems and circular economy. A brief bibliometric assessment indicates that although pyrolysis research has traditionally focused on biomass and municipal solid waste, studies addressing healthcare waste have increased steadily in recent years. Different categories of healthcare-related wastes, including hospital residues and medical plastics, are reviewed alongside applicable pyrolysis reactor technologies. The properties and potential uses of resulting products, including syngas, liquid fuels, waxes, and chemical feedstocks, are discussed in relation to environmental performance and resource recovery. Key challenges, such as feedstock heterogeneity, contaminant management, regulatory constraints, and process optimization, are identified. Overall, pyrolysis is presented as a complementary technology that can support circular economy objectives in healthcare waste management.<i>Implications</i>: Incineration remains widely used for healthcare waste disposal, but concerns regarding emissions, limited resource recovery, and circular economy compatibility have increased interest in pyrolysis. This review evaluates pyrolytic valorization of healthcare waste as a sustainable complementary technology to incineration. Different healthcare waste streams, reactor technologies, operating conditions, and resulting products, including syngas, liquid fuels, waxes, and chemical feedstocks, are discussed. Key challenges such as feedstock heterogeneity, contaminant management, regulatory limitations, and process optimization are highlighted. Essentially, pyrolysis demonstrates significant potential for resource recovery and sustainable healthcare waste management within circular economy frameworks.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"813-839"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148274494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urban ozone nonattainment: Interconnected challenges in the Intermountain Western U.S.","authors":"Ellis S Robinson, Chayan Roychoudhury, Yousaf Hameed, Ryan Bares, Tom Moore, Pierre Herckes, Matthew P Fraser, Avelino Arellano, Armin Sorooshian","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2694482","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2694482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite sustained estimated reductions in anthropogenic precursor emissions, ozone design values remain above the 2015 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard in four large, urban nonattainment areas (NAAs) in the Intermountain Western U.S.: Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; Wasatch Front, Utah; and Denver Metro/North Front Range, Colorado. We synthesize recent field campaigns, regulatory analyses, and observationally constrained modeling to summarize shared drivers of stalled progress and the region-specific mechanisms that modulate ozone accumulation. Across these areas, elevated background ozone, terrain-driven recirculation, and meteorological conditions favoring stagnation and vertical coupling all reduce the effectiveness of local emission controls. However, many important factors also differ by airshed: Phoenix is strongly influenced by monsoon-modulated photochemistry and boundary-layer dynamics; Las Vegas by frequent entrainment of ozone-rich layers from aloft and a high ozone \"floor\"; the Wasatch Front by corridor confinement, elevated background concentrations, and multi-day recirculation; and the Front Range by complex terrain flows interacting with spatially heterogeneous precursor sources, including strong within-NAA oil and gas emissions. Together, each of these case studies underscores the need for ozone management strategies tailored to each airshed's structural and dynamical constraints, supported by coordinated collaborative science.<i>Implications</i>: Despite decades of declining anthropogenic precursor emissions, four major Intermountain Western U.S. metropolitan areas (Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Denver) continue to exceed the 2015 ozone standard. This synthesis identifies factors, both shared and specific to each airshed, driving persistent nonattainment. Elevated background ozone, wildfire smoke, terrain driven recirculation, and vertical entrainment all limit the effectiveness of local controls, though dominant mechanisms differ by area. For lawmakers and regulators, these findings underscore the need for region specific strategies, better vertical and precursor monitoring, and improved attribution of controllable versus transported ozone to support sound, technically defensible regulatory decisions.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"799-812"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148355437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A feasibility study on the implementation of ground-based hyperspectral imaging for methane emission monitoring at landfills.","authors":"Mu-An Tsai, Avery Opalka, Magnus Gålfalk, Kyle J Daun","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2716327","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2716327","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the feasibility of applying ground-based hyperspectral imaging to monitor methane (CH₄) concentrations at landfills. The hyperspectral imaging system implemented in this study is an imaging Fourier transform spectrometer (IFTS) that operates in the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectrum, between 750 and 1350 cm^-1. The instrument produces a three-dimensional absolute intensity data cube, where the first two dimensions define the image plane and the third dimension corresponds to the wavenumber spectrum. The intensity spectrum of each pixel can be inverted using a spectroscopic model to infer air temperature, background temperature, and CH₄ and H₂O column densities. Additionally, the gas velocity near the surface can be visualized by tracking features in interference-corrected interferogram images. The findings show that this technique can image CH₄ column densities from both diffuse and point sources within landfills, provided there is an adequate thermal contrast between the background surface and the air column between the background surface and the camera aperture. The capability to obtain images of CH₄ column densities and velocimetry from the IFTS opens the potential for estimating CH₄ emissions rates from landfills.<i>Implications</i>: The ability to image methane is crucial for monitoring and studying landfill methane emissions, given their high spatial variability. Hyperspectral imaging of methane from landfills is often conducted via airborne or satellite-based imaging techniques, which are often associated with low spatial resolution (~30 m) and rely on reflective sunlight. Our manuscript presents methane field test results from active and closed landfills using ground-based hyperspectral imaging operating in the long-wavelength infrared spectrum, which enables higher spatial resolution (~7 cm) and demonstrates the capability to image methane using thermal radiation from the background surface. The manuscript also discusses the uncertainty associated with the operating conditions of the technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148709417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"DynLink-AQ: Adaptive inter-station connectivity for multi-pollutant, multi-horizon air quality forecasting across Delhi.","authors":"Arun Raj Velraj, Senthil Kumar Jagatheesaperumal","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2692680","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2692680","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Air quality in Delhi has deteriorated significantly over the past decade, yet accurate high-resolution forecasting across multiple pollutants remains a major challenge due to heterogeneous monitoring networks, missing data, and complex spatial - temporal interactions. Motivated by the need for reliable early-warning systems, this study proposes DynLink-AQ, an end-to-end framework for multi-pollutant forecasting using data from 39 CPCB stations over 2009-2023. The system integrates rigorous data quality control and robust spatio-temporal imputation, followed by feature engineering enriched with meteorological drivers and temporal encodings. Unlike static distance-based station graphs, DynLink-AQ learns time-varying inter-station connectivity by inferring adaptive graph attention weights from station embeddings, spatial proximity, and temporal similarity, enabling event-driven and meteorology-linked coupling to be captured. Built upon this structure, the model alternates temporal attention blocks with spatial adaptive graph-attention layers to capture deep spatial - temporal dependencies. The framework supports multi-task prediction for 1-24-hour pollutant horizons with optional uncertainty quantification, and hyperparameters are tuned using the Enzyme Action Optimizer Algorithm (EAOA) under rolling-window training. Extensive walk-forward and spatial generalization experiments demonstrate strong predictive skill across pollutants, with ablation studies confirming the importance of dynamic connectivity learning and meteorological features. The study additionally provides GIS-ready outputs for seamless visualization and operational use in pollution management.<i>Implications</i>: DynLink-AQ enables operational, network-wide forecasting of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3 across Delhi using Central Pollution Control Board monitoring data. By learning time-varying inter-station connectivity and combining spatial graph attention with temporal attention, the model improves 1-24h predictions and provides uncertainty bounds for risk-aware alerts. Agencies can use these forecasts to issue timely hotspot formation, alerts, and plan short-term mitigation (traffic control, construction restrictions, industrial scheduling) during unexpected times. The framework is transferable to other cities with dense station networks and can integrate meteorological drivers already available hourly.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"870-885"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148321626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"China's carbon emissions trading system (ETS) helps the country slow down industrial solid waste accumulation.","authors":"Daxin Dong, Diwei Zheng","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2683498","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2683498","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Industrial solid waste generation in China remains a major environmental challenge. While the cap-and-trade carbon emissions trading system (ETS) is designed primarily to mitigate climate change through carbon pricing, its potential to affect the generation of industrial solid waste - a pervasive environmental pollutant and an important source of greenhouse gas emissions - remains a critical yet under-explored empirical question. This study bridges this gap by investigating the impact of China's carbon ETS on the generation of general (i.e., non-hazardous) industrial solid waste (GISW) and hazardous industrial solid waste (HISW). Using a provincial panel dataset for 31 mainland Chinese provinces from 2001 to 2020, including measures of HISW and GISW generation, ETS policy timing, and key socioeconomic, climate, and regulatory covariates, we employ a difference-in-differences approach to evaluate the policy effect. The results indicate that the carbon ETS significantly reduces the scale, intensity, and per-employee levels of both GISW and HISW. Compared to the non-ETS regions, on average, the ETS leads to an approximately 40% reduction in industrial solid waste generation in the policy-regulated regions. Further mechanism analysis reveals that the ETS promotes investment in industrial solid waste abatement, boosts R&D, and reduces energy use, which together improve resource efficiency and reduce process-related solid waste generation. These findings provide a plausible explanation for the observed effect of the ETS in reducing industrial solid waste. Our findings reveal that the carbon ETS can serve as a potent policy instrument for addressing a broader spectrum of industrial pollution beyond its primary carbon-cutting goal.<i>Implications</i>: This study reveals that the carbon ETS can serve as a potent policy instrument for addressing a broader spectrum of industrial pollution beyond its primary carbon-cutting goal. To strategically strengthen the identified pathways through which the ETS mitigates industrial solid waste, a complementary policy mix is essential. This should include measures to lower financing barriers for waste treatment upgrades, incentivize R&D and technological progress, and support energy efficiency projects alongside carbon trading.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"840-851"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148311215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}