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

{"title":"Low-cost sensor network for wildfire monitoring and air quality measurements at remote community locations.","authors":"Quamrul Huda, Nubal Manhas, Lei Yang, Muhammad Burhan, Trace Malcolm","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2665375","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2665375","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A sensor‑based microsystem for monitoring air quality related to wildfire emissions has been developed for deployment in a distributed network in a remote community. The sensor microsystem is equipped with particulate matter (PM_2.5), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, and total volatile organic compound (tVOC) sensors. Root-mean-squared error for PM_2.5 of less than 5 ug/m3 has been estimated. An onboard microcontroller-based control system synchronizes sensor data acquisition and communications. The microsystem is designed for operations in forest locations surrounding a remote community where cellular or Wi-Fi signals are not available. Radio communication protocol in mesh networking has been developed and tested in the range of 1-5 km in urban areas with structural barriers and outdoor terrains with vegetation. The air monitoring microsystem is designed for standalone operation with solar power, with a panel size of 50 × 37 cm that can be mounted on treetop configurations. The microcontroller-based architecture is designed for smart monitoring of air quality for optimization of energy usage toward sustainable operations throughout spring to fall, and potentially through winter seasons. System architecture has been developed to integrate several air monitoring microsystems in a network deployment to provide real-time information on potential wildfire status within several tens of thousands of hectares of forest area surrounding a remote community.<i>Implications</i>: This manuscript reports an innovative technology that can be deployed in forest locations surrounding remote communities in the typical northwestern prairie region in Alberta, Canada. These sensor systems will provide real-time data for air quality and wildfire events based on sensor data acquisition from forestlands. The distributed low-cost sensor network will address large gaps in provincial and federal air quality monitoring networks and can potentially be integrated with national data warehouses. These systems will inform policy on public health risk mitigation, emissions monitoring, land use policy, forest management, and climate change policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"737-745"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148045403","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":"Comparison of black carbon measurements using filter-specific reference transmittance to those using lab blanks or an average of unloaded filters.","authors":"Devan Campbell, Michael Johnson, Ricardo Piedrahita, Ajay Pillarisetti, Lance A Waller, Katherine A Kearns, Jacob Kremer, Erick Mollinedo, Jeremy A Sarnat, Maggie L Clark, Lindsay J Underhill, John P McCracken, Anaite Diaz-Artiga, Lisa M Thompson, Ghislaine Rosa, Miles Kirby, Kalpana Balakrishnan, Sankar Sambandam, Krishnendu Mukhopadhyay, Laura Nicolaou, William Checkley, Jennifer L Peel, Thomas F Clasen, Luke P Naeher","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2626414","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2626414","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Filter-based optical techniques compare light transmission intensities between loaded (I) and unloaded (I₀) filters as a measure of light-absorbing mass for subsequent estimations of equivalent black carbon (eBC). We analyzed 5,379 15 mm Teflon filters from the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial to assess the influence that different methods of I₀ estimations have on eBC measures. We compared eBC measurements using filter-specific I₀ values (Method 1) to those using three other methods of I₀ estimation: the lab blank scan from a given session (Method 2), the average of all pre-sample filter scans (Method 3), and the average of all lab blank filter scans (Method 4). We assessed the agreement between Method 1 and the alternative methods using Bland-Altman analysis. We also assessed the relationship between Method 1 and the alternative methods across the complete measurement range and after stratifying exposure data into quartiles according to Method 1 eBC exposures. The mean (SD) personal eBC exposure for Method 1 was 7.8 μg/m³ (5.9), and exposures ranged from 1.3 to 46.8 μg/m³. Compared to Method 1, eBC using Methods 2, 3, and 4 were higher by 0.7 μg/m³, 0.1 μg/m³, and 0.7 μg/m³, respectively. The performances of linear regression models between Method 1 and all other methods were moderate to strong (R² range: 0.42-0.93) in the second, third, and fourth quartiles; however, the models in the first quartile (eBC range: 1.3-2.9 μg/m³) performed poorly (R² = 0.25-0.26), with error approximately 25% of the mean. Our findings suggest that, in most instances, conventional methods for obtaining I₀ values can be used to sufficiently characterize eBC; however, analyzing filters before sampling adds appreciably to the accuracy of eBC estimations in lower concentration settings.<i>Implications</i>: Filter-based optical techniques compare light transmission intensities between loaded (I) and unloaded (I₀) filters as a measure of light-absorbing mass for subsequent estimations of equivalent black carbon (eBC). To assess the influence that different methods of I₀ estimations have on eBC measures, we analyzed 5,379 15 mm Teflon filters from the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial. Our findings suggest that, in most instances, conventional methods for obtaining I₀ values can be used to sufficiently characterize eBC; however, analyzing filters before sampling adds appreciably to the accuracy of eBC estimations in lower concentration settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"724-736"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148552034","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":"Preparation of sludge-based activated carbon and its adsorption performance for Cr(VI) in wastewater.","authors":"Wenlong Hui, Yanan Zhao, Meiqi Ren, Qiang Wei, Zhiqiang Dai, Lin Zhu, Lili Zhang, Xiaosheng Zhao","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2725720","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2026.2725720","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study used excess sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants as a raw material to prepare sludge-based activated carbon (SAC) via ZnCl₂ activation and high-temperature carbonization. The structure of SAC was characterized using XRD, SEM, and FTIR, and the adsorption performance of SAC toward Cr(VI) in wastewater was systematically investigated. The results showed that, under the conditions of a ZnCl₂ activator concentration of 1 mol/L, a carbonization temperature of 550°C, and a heating rate of 10 ℃/min, the prepared SAC had a maximum adsorption capacity of 57.90 mg/g for Cr(VI) in wastewater, and could achieve 100% removal of Cr(VI) at an initial concentration of 10 mg/L. The adsorption process conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating that chemical adsorption was the rate-controlling step, and Cr(VI) was mainly adsorbed in a uniform monolayer on the SAC surface. This study provides a feasible technical route for sludge resource utilization and Cr(VI) wastewater treatment.Implications:In this study, activated carbon was prepared using sludge as the raw material, realizing the reduction and resource utilization of sludge. This method not only solves the problems of land occupation and secondary pollution caused by sludge storage and landfilling, but also reduces the preparation cost of activated carbon, which conforms to the environmental protection policies for solid waste recycling.To address the pollution of highly toxic Cr(VI) in wastewater, the as-prepared sludge-based activated carbon shows excellent adsorption performance, which can efficiently remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution and significantly reduce the biological toxicity and environmental risks of heavy metals.This work constructs a cyclic utilization pathway of \"sludge disposal-functional carbon preparation-heavy metal wastewater treatment,\" providing an economically feasible technical scheme for the treatment of chromium-containing industrial wastewater. It has important theoretical value and practical application significance for promoting solid waste resource utilization, improving the water ecological environment and ensuring water environmental safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148876769","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":"Exploring perceptions and willingness to recycle wastes among small businesses in selected townships of the Gauteng province in South Africa.","authors":"Phyllis Rumbidzai Kwenda, Isaac Tebogo Rampedi","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2025.2601010","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2025.2601010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although small businesses play an important role in generating employment opportunities and local economic development, their involvement in recycling programs has not been characterized in greater detail. This study explored the perceptions and willingness of selected small businesses in Gauteng province townships to reuse or recycle some of their waste materials. This study used a quantitative research approach to explore the perceptions and willingness of selected small businesses to reuse or recycle some of the waste they generate. The results showed that the perceptions about the contribution of recycling to environmental pollution reduction among small businesses in the study differed significantly across the townships (χ² = 6.892, <i>p</i> = 0.003). On the other hand, most formal businesses significantly agreed with the potential benefits of waste recycling on environmental pollution reduction (χ² = 16.118, <i>p</i> = 0.003), saving landfill space (χ² = 11.610, <i>p</i> = 0.003), improving environmental quality (χ² = 10.443, <i>p</i> = 0.005), and providing job opportunities (χ² = 10.263, <i>p</i> = 0.036). However, regardless of their formality (<i>χ</i>^<i>2</i> = 2.957, <i>p</i> = 0.228) or location (<i>χ</i>^<i>2</i> = 9.463, <i>p</i> = 0.051), there was no statistically significant variation in the recycling practices of the small businesses in this study. Moreover, businesses' willingness to use recycling facilities if they were located nearby differed across townships (0.05 > <i>p</i> = 0.010) but was similar despite the formality of the enterprises. In conclusion, recycling perceptions and willingness of small businesses can vary significantly depending on whether they are formal or informal and across townships. As a result, relevant educational interventions should be uniquely developed to raise awareness about the need for waste minimization through recovery, re-use, and recycling among small businesses in the Gauteng province.<i>Implications</i>: Small, Medium, and Micro enterprises (SMMEs) play a crucial role in local economic development in South Africa. However, research on their environmental sustainability is scarce, despite their significant impacts on natural resources and contributions to pollution. Most waste management studies have focused on households and municipalities, leaving a gap in understanding SMMEs' waste management behaviors, particularly in townships.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"709-723"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440788","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":"Occurrence and microbial tolerance of perfluorononanoic acid: A case study in Ontario municipal landfill.","authors":"Sepideh Nasrollahpour, Ratul Kumar Das, Satinder Kaur Brar","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2708755","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2026.2708755","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) is a long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) recognized for its environmental persistence and associated health concerns. This case study investigated indigenous microbial communities exposed to PFNA at a PFAS-impacted municipal landfill by isolating and characterizing PFNA-tolerant microorganisms from environmental samples. The presence of PFNA was confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet - visible (UV - Vis) spectrophotometry, and liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC - MS). Five distinct microbial strains were isolated and incubated for 30 days in PFNA-enriched media (50 mg/L). All isolates maintained sustained growth and viability, as assessed through optical density measurements, dry biomass quantification, Gram staining, and morphological analysis. Molecular identification based on 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing revealed bacterial genera including <i>Bacillus</i>, <i>Stenotrophomonas</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas</i>, as well as fungal genera such as <i>Talaromyces</i> and <i>Paracremonium</i>. The persistence of these bacterial and fungal isolates under continued PFNA exposure identifies them as candidates for further investigation in studies focused on PFNA transformation and degradation. This work provides site-specific insight into microbial tolerance to PFNA in landfill environments and establishes a foundation for future research on microbe - PFAS interactions.<i>Implications</i>: This study demonstrates that indigenous microbial communities in municipal landfill environments can tolerate prolonged exposure to perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), a persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). Identifying PFNA-tolerant bacterial and fungal genera is an essential step toward evaluating their potential use in future biodegradation and transformation studies. These findings are relevant to waste management professionals and environmental regulators because they improve understanding of PFNA persistence in landfill systems and help inform the design of biologically informed PFAS monitoring and remediation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148820948","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":"When best intentions are not enough - A collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and an agricultural community.","authors":"Jill S Baron, Sarah M Lindley, Jeffrey Collett, Lillian E Naimie","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2709772","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2026.2709772","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rocky Mountain National Park is a Congressionally mandated Clean Air Act Class I Area, but years of research have documented evidence of biogeochemical and ecological change caused by atmospheric deposition of nitrogen. A coalition of government agencies-National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency Region 8, and the State of Colorado-developed the 2007 Nitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan to reduce wet nitrogen deposition to the park from the baseline in 2006 by 50% by 2032. Fifty-four percent of wet nitrogen deposition is ammonium, primarily sourced from industrial cattle and dairy operations east of the park. An Agriculture Subcommittee, meeting with regulatory and management agencies and scientists since 2006, has explored voluntary options to reduce ammonia emissions. Ammonia emissions are unregulated in the U.S. Despite sustained efforts, neither ammonium deposition nor total inorganic nitrogen deposition have declined at the rate determined to reach the targeted value by 2032. In fact, ammonia is increasing over the Front Range agricultural area. Wet nitrogen deposition in 2024 was 2.81 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1, 0.61 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 higher than targeted in the Nitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan. The collaborative approach between agricultural producers, regulatory entities, and resource managers is not working, but not for lack of effort by all parties. Cattle process nitrogen inefficiently, and while management practices can somewhat reduce the proportion of ammonia emitted from feedlots, with more than one million head of cattle east of Rocky Mountain National Park, large-scale reductions are unlikely. New programs to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (46% of wet nitrogen deposition) may reduce nitrogen deposition that is changing park ecosystems. Improved integration of crop and livestock agriculture and valuation of the ecosystem services and economy of Rocky Mountain National Park alongside agricultural value are topics for further discussion.<i>Implications</i>: Nitrogen deposition in precipitation to Rocky Mountain National Park has changed natural ecosystems. To protect its Clean Air Act Class I status a 2007 Nitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan agreed upon by state and federal agencies set a goal to reduce wet nitrogen deposition to the Park by half by 2032. Industrial livestock operations are a large source of nitrogen; an Agriculture Subcommittee explored voluntary options to reduce emissions from cattle. Despite sustained efforts nitrogen deposition has not declined. Further reductions in industry and transportation emissions will be needed reduce nitrogen deposition to Rocky Mountain National Park.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148805201","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":"Particulate matter emissions from the iron and steel industry of China: Patterns, drivers, and implications.","authors":"Fan Bu, Wenqiang Sun","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2698603","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2698603","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The iron and steel industry is a major particulate matter (PM) emitter. Using data from 99 Chinese sites, an LMDI model is applied to decompose PM emission changes into five process‑specific factors: steel output, energy consumption intensity, waste gas generation coefficient, stack emission concentration, and fugitive emission factor, separating stack from fugitive emissions. Nationally, PM emissions declined 23.6% from 2011-2016. The steel output effect drove an 83.7% increase in 2010-2011 but became a reduction driver after 2014. The waste gas generation coefficient effect consistently increased PM emissions (19,516 t in 2015-2016). The stack concentration effect was the dominant inhibitor (reduction up to -31,558 t in 2015-2016). The fugitive emission factor effect shifted from positive (5,037 t in 2010-2011) to strongly negative (-23,320 t in 2015-2016). Energy intensity effects were small (<25% contribution). Regional analysis reveals heterogeneity. Most regions followed the national trend, but South China and Northwest China showed annual PM increases, with positive stack emission concentration and fugitive emission factor effects. In Northwest China, the total effect was positive in five of six years, ranging from 1,408 t to 8,305 t annually, with fugitive emissions contributing up to 232% of the annual change. These findings imply that uniform national policies are insufficient. Targeted interventions of accelerating dust removal deployment in South/Northwest China and strengthening fugitive controls were proposed.<i>Implications</i>: The iron and steel industry is a critical PM emitter with implications for air quality and public health. This study quantifies key drivers of PM emissions across China's steel regions, revealing that while national emissions declined due to improved stack and fugitive controls, regional disparities persist, particularly in Northwest and South China where emissions increased. These findings underscore the need for regionally tailored policies prioritizing dust removal upgrades, fugitive containment, and energy efficiency. The analysis supports China's \"blue sky\" objectives and offers a replicable framework for other industrial sectors facing similar pollution challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148400387","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":"Satellite-derived air quality data can effectively support health needs when use cases, Earth observing capabilities, and capacities align.","authors":"Nathan R Pavlovic, Carl A Malings, Min Huang, Yaqian He, Sebastian Diez, Jennifer Bratburd, Hazem Mahmoud, Jordan Schnell, Yun Hang, Lindsey Anderson, Gil Grodzinsky, Priyanka deSouza, Mohammed Iqbal Mead, Yuhan Rao, Rochelle Velho, Didier Davignon, Siddhi Munde, Alqamah Sayeed, Aekkapol Aekakkararungroj, Ankit Joshi, Osuolale Olayinka, Honoré Dingam Rondouba, Pallavi Pant","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2698602","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2026.2698602","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advances in Earth observation (EO) remote sensing technologies have delivered a range of aerosol and trace gas pollution data with ever-improving spatial and temporal resolution, significantly benefitting assessments of global air quality (AQ). Furthermore, the application of data synthesis techniques incorporating satellite EO with other information sources has improved the availability of satellite-derived estimates of pollutant exposure at local to global scales. These data have been applied to address a diversity of use cases in AQ monitoring and public health, from long-term trend tracking, exposure assessment, and epidemiological analysis to short-term emissions identification and early warning. Successful application of satellite EO to address AQ and AQ-related health problems requires an alignment between (1) the technical capabilities of satellite data to provide relevant information, (2) a defined case for using this information to address a particular need, and (3) the human capacity, computational resources, operational plans, and policy and governance frameworks to implement a solution and take action, and to sustain the solution for as long as the need remains. Only when there is substantial alignment across all these factors can satellite EO information be effectively translated into public health benefits. This paper surveys applications of satellite EO to AQ assessment and AQ-related health management globally, synthesizing key commonalities into recommendations for how satellite EO can effectively support health needs. We also identify gaps in current satellite EO capabilities, use-case applications, and feasibility factors where future research and investment could reduce barriers to increased application of satellite EO to address pressing public health concerns related to AQ worldwide.<i>Implications</i>: This paper summarizes insights collected through the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Health Community of Practice Air Quality and Respiratory Health Work Group on the current state and gaps in the use of satellite EO to support air quality and related health decision-making globally. We synthesize these insights into general recommendations for how satellite EO capabilities, use cases, and feasibility considerations can be aligned towards effective use of satellite EO data for air quality and related health effects. We also identify barriers and gaps in current capabilities, uses, and capacities, making recommendations for how these might be addressed.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"1-27"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148671761","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":"Air quality impacts of the trade-off between renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels in California.","authors":"Yiting Li, Colin W Murphy, Jin Wook Ro, Michael J Kleeman","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2658717","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2658717","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Renewable diesel (RD) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are lower-carbon alternatives to conventional petroleum fuels that have begun to enter the U.S. market at commercial scale, largely driven by policy. The most widely deployed forms of RD and SAF are hydrotreated lipids, produced by similar processes, using vegetable or waste oil as the feedstock. Both RD and SAF typically result in lower air pollutant emissions than their petroleum equivalents, especially particulate matter and sulfur oxides (SOx), however the quantity and location of these reductions are different. The dependence of both RD and SAF on the same pool of feedstock and production capacity means that in the near term, increased SAF production may come at the expense of RD. This study investigates the possible air quality effects of such a shift, with a focus on potential impacts in disadvantaged communities. We develop two emissions scenarios in California, for which diesel and aviation emissions are scaled to reflect policies that favor SAF or RD. The air quality associated with each emissions scenario is then simulated using a chemical transport model. Health impacts from the air quality exposure fields are estimated for three major urban areas and exposure disparities are calculated based on historical socioeconomic data. The results of this show minimal air quality and public health changes between the high SAF and high RD scenarios for the California cities analyzed in the present study because California's current diesel emission regulations limit the potential air quality benefit from RD. This suggests that air quality considerations should not be a dominant motivation when evaluating policy-driven shifts in the relative prevalence of RD and SAF in California. Other regions using less advanced diesel engine technology may see more significant air quality tradeoffs between SAF and RD.<i>Implications</i>: Hydrotreated alternative fuels like renewable diesel (RD) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are entering the market at large scale, drawing from a limited global pool of feedstock (vegetable oil and non-fossil waste oils) and using similar production processes. Policymakers have explored expanding SAF consumption; likely near-term approaches to this would result in a commensurate reduction in RD. This paper evaluates whether this trade-off would cause significant impacts on air quality if it were to occur in California, where a SAF-focused policy change was considered in 2024. We find no significant regional air quality impact from such a shift.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"667-683"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148207576","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 risk assessment of ethylene oxide release from a sterilization facility into a community.","authors":"Quincy Perry, Karmen Kissell, Blake Deckard, Gale Hoffnagle, Dennis Paustenbach","doi":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2657443","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10962247.2026.2657443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent decades, ethylene oxide (EtO) has been a widely used industrial sterilant and chemical intermediate that has faced increasing scrutiny related to its carcinogenic potential. This study evaluated residential and occupational exposure to EtO in a valley surrounding two point-source emissions in close proximity (~11 m apart). Air samples were collected in residential and industrial areas. Eight locations, ranging from 100 to 1,700 m from the center of the point-sources in varying directions, had average concentrations between 0.290 and 3.212 µg/m³ (0.16 to 1.8 ppb) with peak levels reaching 26.4 µg/m³ (15 ppb). Exposure scenarios were developed based on daily activity patterns, long-term residency, and estimates derived from historical emissions data. Under the most conservative assumptions, including 40 years of occupational exposure during the periods of highest recorded emissions around the facility, the maximum estimated cumulative lifetime exposure was 591 ppm-days. When compared with epidemiology studies of EtO-exposed workers from similar facilities (studies used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in their cancer risk assessments), the highest cumulative exposures observed (13,500+ ppm-days) were at least 23-fold higher than our maximum estimated lifetime exposure value (591 ppm-days). Importantly, these high-exposure groups showed no statistically significant cancer incidence, particularly for breast and lymphohematopoietic cancers. When compared to regulatory values and health-based benchmarks adjusted to cumulative exposures, estimated exposures were substantially below levels associated with increased cancer incidence in epidemiological cohorts for the community surrounding the sterilization facility, even to the most susceptible populations.<i>Implications</i>: This study presents a site-specific, data-driven framework for evaluating long-term human health risks from ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions using ambient monitoring, historical emissions, and conservative EPA-aligned assumptions. Even at one of the highest-emitting U.S. sterilization facilities, estimated exposures were well below levels associated with increased cancer risk. The findings challenge proximity-based risk assumptions and support more proportionate, risk-based air quality policies. The approach offers regulators a transparent, scientifically grounded method for EtO risk characterization under the Clean Air Act, TSCA, and state air toxics programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":520693,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)","volume":" ","pages":"646-666"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147694813","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}