 |
|
Just breathe: Ozone forecaster unveiled at University of Houston, available via Web
August 22, 2006People with asthma or other respiratory problems can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to University of Houston professors who have recently unveiled a forecasting system that provides air quality data on ozone conditions.
With the intent to not only increase public awareness, but also help Texas manage air quality issues, the Institute for Multi-dimensional Air Quality Studies (IMAQS) at UH has been operating an air quality forecasting system for a year that has been tested, fine-tuned and now determined ready for public use. Over the course of this past year, the system has been expanded and improved to serve the entire eastern half of Texas, including the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas.
"Our ozone forecaster is more localized than others and goes into further detail," said Daewon Byun, director of IMAQS and a professor in UH's geosciences department. "For instance, while the ozone conditions may be rated unhealthy in downtown Houston on a given day, suburbs like Sugar Land and The Woodlands may actually be experiencing a good day that still is safe for outdoor activities in those specific areas. Other days, the opposite is true with downtown-area ozone levels being lower than in certain suburbs."
By clicking on the local, regional or national maps at http://www.imaqs.uh.edu/ozone_forecast.htm the public can obtain a map view of daily maximum ozone levels color-coded with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health alert index. Also included are links to animations of a two-day forecast in one-hour increments. These maps and animations can help individuals, especially those with respiratory problems, plan their day's outside activities. The Web site is updated daily with the most recent 48-hour local, regional and national forecasts, providing graphical analysis of the onset, intensity, duration and area of poor air quality conditions via access to hourly data from 165 East Texas air pollution monitors. The near real-time hourly air pollution and meteorological data, air quality indices and animations from 3-D simulations performed by IMAQS use the EPA's Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system co-developed by Byun in 1999 while at the EPA before coming to UH.
Byun stresses that while the traditional ozone season lasts from June through September, Houston suffers the consequences all year long. In a related project, UH's IMAQS is collaborating with Winifred Hamilton, director of the Baylor College of Medicine's Environmental Health Section, who is using Byun's air quality data in the patient-care arena and in her work to increase public awareness of the connection between health and the environment.
Accurate meteorological and photochemical modeling efforts are essential to support the efforts for establishing the State Implementation Plan by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Byun said. Houston currently is in severe noncompliance, experiencing more than 30 days per year of high ozone conditions. The EPA's ozone standard allows just one day per year of such conditions, and the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area must meet these existing standards by 2007 or risk losing highway funding, among other penalties.
"The air quality forecasting is made by the photochemical air quality models that take data on both manmade and biogenic emission values and meteorological inputs, coupled with descriptions of the physical and chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere," Byun said. "We then mathematically and numerically process the information to yield predictions of air pollutant concentrations as a function of time and location."
With funding from the EPA, TCEQ, Texas Environmental Research Consortium and Houston Advanced Research Center, Byun has collaborated with researchers at UH from the fields of geosciences, mathematics, computer science and chemistry on a number of projects to build this ozone forecasting system. The TCEQ also provides key emissions input and technical assistance for the project.
Past IMAQS initiatives leading up to the success and unveiling of this air quality tool include:
- photochemical modeling of ethylene and propylene emissions from petrochemical factories to understand how these chemicals react in the atmosphere to eventually form ozone,
- development of an air quality prediction system for studying the impact of forest fires on regional air quality,
- studying the urban heat island phenomenon that engulfs a city like Houston with hot air generated by the radiant heat emanating from the many paved areas and buildings,
- and observing how changes in the urban environment affect air pollution.
"Improving Houston's air quality cannot begin without the level of detail that Byun and his colleagues have put into this research," said Jack Casey, chair of UH's geosciences department in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. "Developing the ozone forecasting system and its continuous verification and improvement with the help of regional chemical measurement programs is an important first step in understanding Houston's air quality problem. Because of the smaller local grid spacing, the Web site is better than any other state or national forecasting Web site for ozone alerts in this region. With the release of these forecasts on a daily basis, Byun and IMAQS are performing an important service for the Houston and southeastern Texas community."
University of Houston
By clicking on the local, regional or national maps at http://www.imaqs.uh.edu/ozone_forecast.htm the public can obtain a map view of daily maximum ozone levels color-coded with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health alert index. Also included are links to animations of a two-day forecast in one-hour increments. These maps and animations can help individuals, especially those with respiratory problems, plan their day's outside activities. The Web site is updated daily with the most recent 48-hour local, regional and national forecasts, providing graphical analysis of the onset, intensity, duration and area of poor air quality conditions via access to hourly data from 165 East Texas air pollution monitors. The near real-time hourly air pollution and meteorological data, air quality indices and animations from 3-D simulations performed by IMAQS use the EPA's Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system co-developed by Byun in 1999 while at the EPA before coming to UH.
Byun stresses that while the traditional ozone season lasts from June through September, Houston suffers the consequences all year long. In a related project, UH's IMAQS is collaborating with Winifred Hamilton, director of the Baylor College of Medicine's Environmental Health Section, who is using Byun's air quality data in the patient-care arena and in her work to increase public awareness of the connection between health and the environment.
Accurate meteorological and photochemical modeling efforts are essential to support the efforts for establishing the State Implementation Plan by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Byun said. Houston currently is in severe noncompliance, experiencing more than 30 days per year of high ozone conditions. The EPA's ozone standard allows just one day per year of such conditions, and the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area must meet these existing standards by 2007 or risk losing highway funding, among other penalties.
"The air quality forecasting is made by the photochemical air quality models that take data on both manmade and biogenic emission values and meteorological inputs, coupled with descriptions of the physical and chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere," Byun said. "We then mathematically and numerically process the information to yield predictions of air pollutant concentrations as a function of time and location."
With funding from the EPA, TCEQ, Texas Environmental Research Consortium and Houston Advanced Research Center, Byun has collaborated with researchers at UH from the fields of geosciences, mathematics, computer science and chemistry on a number of projects to build this ozone forecasting system. The TCEQ also provides key emissions input and technical assistance for the project.
Past IMAQS initiatives leading up to the success and unveiling of this air quality tool include:
- photochemical modeling of ethylene and propylene emissions from petrochemical factories to understand how these chemicals react in the atmosphere to eventually form ozone,
- development of an air quality prediction system for studying the impact of forest fires on regional air quality,
- studying the urban heat island phenomenon that engulfs a city like Houston with hot air generated by the radiant heat emanating from the many paved areas and buildings,
- and observing how changes in the urban environment affect air pollution.
"Improving Houston's air quality cannot begin without the level of detail that Byun and his colleagues have put into this research," said Jack Casey, chair of UH's geosciences department in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. "Developing the ozone forecasting system and its continuous verification and improvement with the help of regional chemical measurement programs is an important first step in understanding Houston's air quality problem. Because of the smaller local grid spacing, the Web site is better than any other state or national forecasting Web site for ozone alerts in this region. With the release of these forecasts on a daily basis, Byun and IMAQS are performing an important service for the Houston and southeastern Texas community."
University of Houston
Ozone Current Events and Ozone News RSSResearchers discover links between city walkability and air pollution exposure
A new study compares neighborhoods' walkability (degree of ease for walking) with local levels of air pollution and finds that some neighborhoods might be good for walking, but have poor air quality.
Interactions with aerosols boost warming potential of some gases
For decades, climate scientists have worked to identify and measure key substances -- notably greenhouse gases and aerosol particles -- that affect Earth's climate.
Report examines hidden costs of energy production and use
A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates "hidden" costs of energy production and use -- such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health -- that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them.
Air pollutants from abroad a growing concern, says new report
Plumes of harmful air pollutants can be transported across oceans and continents -- from Asia to the United States and from the United States to Europe -- and have a negative impact on air quality far from their original sources, says a new report by the National Research Council.
U.S. needs nearly $200 million more on climate-related health research
A recent commentary suggests that the U.S. should spend roughly $197 million more than it currently does to research the impact of climate change on public health.
Ozone layer depletion levelling off
By merging more than a decade of atmospheric data from European satellites, scientists have compiled a homogeneous long-term ozone record that allows them to monitor total ozone trends on a global scale - and the findings look promising.
TECNALIA presents innovative mobile robots which are autonomous and polyvalent
TECNALIA Technological Corporation has introduced innovative robots at Euskotren's station in Atxuri (Bilbao) and which are mobile, multifunctional, collaborative, autonomous and polyvalent, suitable for a wide range of work from street cleaning and rubbish collection to accompanying elderly people.
Portable and precise gas sensor could monitor pollution and detect disease
In the air, it is a serious pollutant. In the body, it plays a role in heart rate, blood flow, nerve signals and immune function.
University of Toronto study shows climate change will lead to less ultraviolet radiation over northern high latitudes
Physicists at the University of Toronto have discovered that changes in the Earth's ozone layer due to climate change will reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in northern high latitude regions such as Siberia, Scandinavia and northern Canada.
Man-made crises 'outrunning our ability to deal with them,' scientists warn
The world faces a compounding series of crises driven by human activity, which existing governments and institutions are increasingly powerless to cope with, a group of eminent environmental scientists and economists has warned.
More Ozone Current Events and Ozone News Articles
 |
Big Blue Air Ball Ozone Generator by Big Blue Air Dont be fooled by other products that claim to eliminate odor but are not true ozone generators. Many of these are simply ionizers, which do not eliminate odors nearly as effectively or quickly as ozone generators do. For air purification in grow rooms, as well as kitchens, offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, hotel rooms, and other small to medium-sized areas. The Air Ball is a corona discharge ozone generator which removes odors caused by organic nutrients and plants, as well as food, beverages, tobacco smoke, mold, mildew and other elements. This convenient unit sits on any table, shelf or hangs on the wall for automatic air purification. Its unique style, blends into any room and provides you with fresh, clean air. Its energy efficient, using only 6 watts. Its closest... |
 |
Suraki Ozone Generator Room Air Purifier by Samson Brands This air filter was designed to be used in smaller places such single rooms, closets, restrooms and Pet Habitats. It is compact enough to join you on vacation or business trips. The ozone technology eliminates odors and sterilizes killing up to 99.9% of viruses, molds and bacteria. The Suraki GBA-200 uses the corona discharge method of ozone production and is effective in areas up to 300 sq. ft. Suraki GBA-200 has shown to be effective with germs commonly found in pet areas:Household germs: Dermatophytes E. coli Legionella Pneumophila Salmonella Staphylococcus Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Molds and Mildew Dogs: Parvovirus Paramyxovirus (Distemper) Canine demodicosis Canine scabies Cats: Ear mites Bordetella Bronchiseptica |
 |
Glasses by Ozone |
 |
Bullhead Black Wilshire Boot Ozone Jeans - Medium Indigo X 31W X 30L by BULLHEAD BLACK Give your look the boost it needs in Bullhead Black, the premium denim line. Slim through the hip and thigh, with a slight boot cut starting below the knee. Just enough comfort and style for you night out. Medium blue wash with destruction details throughout. Unique embroidery on back pocket. Subtle grinding on hem and pockets. Five pockets, logo button waist zip fly. Authenticity patch on waistband. 16" leg opening. |
 |
Aqua-6 Ozone Generator Ozonator Water Air Oil Purifier 600 mg/h by A2Z Ozone Systems, Inc. A2Z OZONE INC. Presents AQUA-6 Ozone Generator Ozone is one of the worlds most powerful sterilizing agents. If you are looking for an organic & reliable method to sanitize & clean Air, Water & Liquids then you need an AQUA-6 Ozonator. With easy installation on the wall, table, floor, or kitchen countertop, and four felt pads to prevent scratching, it's perfect for home or office use. APPLICATIONS: 1-Home-Air & Water Treatment; Remove Smoke & Second Hand Smoke. 2-Bedding-Sanitize Bedding & Dust Mites. 3-Basement-Remove Mold & Mildew Odor. 4-Fish Tank-Make Crystal Clear Water, Kill Bacteria & Parasites that affect your fish. 5-Kitchen-Remove Food Odors, such as Onion (No Burning Eyes), Spices & Burnt Oil Odor. 6-Dentures & Tooth Brush-Disinfect or Gargle For Gum Health, Sore... |
 |
3Q Electrostatic Ionic Air Purifier by 3Q INTERNATIONAL This is an electronic air purifier. It uses what is known as an ionizer to filter out the dirty air. The electronic air purifiers have two sections for getting rid of dirty air. One section is for ionizing and the other section is for collecting the dirt. In the ionizing section, dirty air particles pass between ionizing wires and plates connected to a high voltage power supply. Over 8000 volts ionizes the air, creating positive ions which attach to the particles leaving them with an intense electrical charge. The charged particles then move to the collection section, where they encounter closely-spaced, oppositely-charged collector plates. Positively-charged particles attach to the negative plates and negatively-charged particles attach to the positive plates. Negative ions are important... |
 |
AirFree P-1000 Air Sterilizer and Purifier Air Filter - Ionic free + Ozone Free by Airfree AirFree P-1000 Air Sterilizer and Purifier Air Filter - Ionic free & Ozone FreeThe AirFree P-1000 Air Sterilizer and Purifier Air Filter uses heated air to destroy airborne mold, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and pollens. Unlike commonly available ionic units, it does not produce harmfully elevated ozone levels; it also reduces existing indoor ozone, which the EPA indicates can be a serious respiratory irritant and asthma trigger. With no filters to replace or clean, the compact cleaner pulls air into the internal chamber which is heated to 400F to silently destroy airborne mold, bacteria, viruses, pet dander, pollen and common household dust mites in a room up to 450 sq. ft.. Despite its high internal heat level, the purifier will not change the room temperature. For the highest level... |
 |
Discozone by The O Zone O Zone, Discozone |
 |
Ozone Design Women's Mona Linen Socks,Sky,9 - 11 by Ozone |
 |
Ozone Design Women's High Zone Sock,Fougere,9-11 by Ozone |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |