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Individual high-Alpine ice cores have been proven to contain a well-preserved history of past anthropogenic air pollution in western Europe. The question of how representative one ice core is with respect to the reconstruction of atmospheric composition in the source region has not been addressed so far. Here, we present the first study systematically comparing longer-term ice-core records (1750–2015 CE) of various anthropogenic compounds, such as major inorganic aerosol constituents (NH4+ , NO3- , SO42-), black carbon (BC), and trace species (Cd , F- , Pb). Depending on the data availability for the different air pollutants, up to five ice cores from four high-Alpine sites located in the European Alps analysed by different laboratories were considered. Whereas absolute concentration levels can partly differ depending on the prevailing seasonal distribution of accumulated precipitation, all seven investigated anthropogenic compounds are in excellent agreement between the various sites for their respective, species-dependent longer-term concentration trends. This is related to common source regions of air pollution impacting the four sites less than 100 km away including western European countries surrounding the Alps. For individual compounds, the Alpine ice-core composites developed in this study allowed us to precisely time the onset of pollution caused by industrialization in western Europe. Extensive emissions from coal combustion and agriculture lead to an exceeding of pre-industrial (1750–1850) concentration levels already at the end of the 19th century for BC, Pb , exSO42- (non-dust, non-sea salt SO42-), and NH4+ , respectively. However, Cd , F- , and NO3- concentrations started surpassing pre-industrial values only in the 20th century, predominantly due to pollution from zinc and aluminium smelters and traffic. The observed maxima of BC, Cd , F- , Pb , and exSO42- concentrations in the 20th century and a significant decline afterwards clearly reveal the efficiency of air pollution control measures such as the desulfurization of coal, the introduction of filters and scrubbers in power plants and metal smelters, and the ban of leaded gasoline improving the air quality in western Europe. In contrast, NO3- and NH4+ concentration records show levels in the beginning of the 21th century which are unprecedented in the context of the past 250 years, indicating that the introduced abatement measures to reduce these pollutants were insufficient to have a major effect at high altitudes in western Europe. Only four ice-core composite records (BC, F- , Pb , exSO42-) of the seven investigated pollutants correspond well with modelled trends, suggesting inaccuracies of the emission estimates or an incomplete representation of chemical reaction mechanisms in the models for the other pollutants. Our results demonstrate that individual ice-core records from different sites in the European Alps generally provide a spatially representative signal of anthropogenic air pollution trends in western European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conduct the first 4D‐Var inversion of NH3 accounting for NH3 bi‐directional flux, using CrIS satellite NH3 observations over Europe in 2016. We find posterior NH3 emissions peak more in springtime than prior emissions at continental to national scales, and annually they are generally smaller than the prior emissions over central Europe, but larger over most of the rest of Europe. Annual posterior anthropogenic NH3 emissions for 25 European Union members (EU25) are 25% higher than the prior emissions and very close (<2% difference) to other inventories. Our posterior annual anthropogenic emissions for EU25, the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland are generally 10%–20% smaller than when treating NH3 fluxes as uni‐directional emissions, while the monthly regional difference can be up to 34% (Switzerland in July). Compared to monthly mean in‐situ observations, our posterior NH3 emissions from both schemes generally improve the magnitude and seasonality of simulated surface NH3 and bulk NHx wet deposition throughout most of Europe, whereas evaluation against hourly measurements at a background site shows the bi‐directional scheme better captures observed diurnal variability of surface NH3. This contrast highlights the need for accurately simulating diurnal variability of NH3 in assimilation of sun‐synchronous observations and also the potential value of future geostationary satellite observations. Overall, our top‐down ammonia emissions can help to examine the effectiveness of air pollution control policies to facilitate future air pollution management, as well as helping us understand the uncertainty in top‐down NH3 emissions estimates associated with treatment of NH3 surface exchange. Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric ammonia contributes to air pollutants and excessive deposition of reactive nitrogen that is detrimental to sensitive ecosystems. Ammonia is emitted mainly by agricultural livestock and fertilizer use. While surface measurements of NH3 are sparse, satellite observations can provide near daily global coverage. Here we calculate monthly NH3 emissions over Europe, the only region adopting NH3 control policies, using an air quality model coupled with a process‐based bi‐directional NH3 flux scheme and NH3 measurements observed by the CrIS satellite instrument. Our CrIS‐derived annual regional total anthropogenic NH3 emissions are close (<2% difference) to statistic‐based bottom‐up estimates and are 10%–20% lower than when treating NH3 exchange between the atmosphere and biosphere as one‐way emissions. Our top‐down NH3 emissions estimates may help to assess the efficacy of NH3 abatement policies and provide quantitative support for future policy making. Key Points: First 4D‐Var inversion to include bi‐directional flux of NH3, based on CrIS NH3 and cross‐validated with surface observationsBi‐directional flux reduces posterior regional NH3 emissions by 10%–20% annually (monthly up to 34%), compared to uni‐directional emissionsPosterior NH3 emissions generally improve simulated seasonality and magnitude of NH3 and NHx wet deposition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite considerable air pollution prevention and control measures that have been put into practice in recent years, outdoor air pollution remains one of the most important risk factors for health outcomes. To identify the potential research gaps, we conducted a scoping review focused on health outcomes affected by outdoor air pollution across the broad research area. Of the 5759 potentially relevant studies, 799 were included in the final analysis. The included studies showed an increasing publication trend from 1992 to 2008, and most of the studies were conducted in Asia, Europe, and North America. Among the eight categorized health outcomes, asthma (category: respiratory diseases) and mortality (category: health records) were the most common ones. Adverse health outcomes involving respiratory diseases among children accounted for the largest group. Out of the total included studies, 95.2% reported at least one statistically positive result, and only 0.4% showed ambiguous results. Based on our study, we suggest that the time frame of the included studies, their disease definitions, and the measurement of personal exposure to outdoor air pollution should be taken into consideration in any future research. The main limitation of this study is its potential language bias, since only English publications were included. In conclusion, this scoping review provides researchers and policy decision makers with evidence taken from multiple disciplines to show the increasing prevalence of outdoor air pollution and its adverse effects on health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Health Impact Assessments (HIA) approach can be executed by calculating the attributable burden of disease. The most common indicators used in the HIA methodology are: premature mortality, morbidity, life-expectancy, and Disability Adjusted Life-Year (DALY). The term Disability Adjusted Life-Years (DALYs) indicates months/years lost due to a premature death or disability. The aim of the study was to present health benefits, expressed in terms of lower total mortality and cardio-respiratory hospitalization rates, due to a decreased particulate matter (PM) concentration in ambient air, in Silesian voivodeship.Material and Methods: In this paper, results obtained from the APHEKOM (Improving Knowledge and Communication for Decision Making on Air Pollution and Health in Europe) project, which provided specialized HIA tools, useful for assessing health benefits resulting from reducing air pollution, were used. Both short-term and long-term exposure HIA tools were applied with regard to the appropriate data for Silesian voivodeship. Exposure data were obtained from the Regional Environmental Inspectorate in Katowice, while population and health data were obtained from the Central Statistical Office of Poland or from the Silesian Voivodeship Office, respectively.Results: Health benefits that are related to an improvement of ambient air quality in Silesia region are similar to previous estimates obtained for Kraków city. The reduction of short-term exposure to PM10 by 5 μg/m3 results in a lower number of yearly non-external deaths (2.6-2.75 per 100 000 inhabitants). This effect was also shown to be similar in the city of Zabrze, as well as in the whole Silesia region.Conclusions: The Health Impact Assessments tools developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) can help public health experts make decisions in order to improve the health of populations living in particular regions of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As twin sister concepts in urban planning, “car-free city” and “city of short walks” are usually combined and successfully implemented in Europe, for example in Vauban (Freiburg, Germany) and in Hammarby Sjöstad (Stockholm, Sweden). In these two pilot projects, clean environment, safe traffic flows and convenient services as three essential criteria for a good living quality as well as three key indices of sustainability have been secured. A number of conditions necessary for the establishment of the two new planning concepts in Hanoi should be analysed with an emphasis on mobility and logistics. Additionally, public participation needs to be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to propose an alternative approach for outlining policy responses to stimulate the automotive industry. The scientific community has developed and employed the Delphi method to collect and convey perspectives and impressions, and also define a number of financially viable proposals. The panel of experts takes the view that traditional industrial policy measures denote limited effects to stimulate car demand, in a context of a macro-economic downturn. By contrast, the panel also believe incentives for car demand are important for environmental purposes, for safety and for the diversification of energy sources. The policy measures proposed are fundamental from the viewpoint of overturning path dependencies in the automotive industry which impede the diffusion of alternative vehicles, with respect to business models and consumer attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess the factors controlling urban air pollution, we characterized fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) at an urban street canyon in southwest Germany, in summer 2019 and winter 2020. The average mass concentration of PM 2.5 was higher in dry and hot summer (7.0 ± 3.5 μg m−3) than in cold and humid winter (5.8 ± 2.8 μg m−3) with frequent wet scavenging. The non-refractory PM 2.5 (NR-PM 2.5) measured with an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) plus black carbon (BC) mostly consists of organic aerosol (OA) with 60% in summer and 44% in winter. The contributions of sulfate to NR-PM 2.5 plus BC was higher in summer (18%) than in winter (13%), while that of nitrate was lower in summer (6%) than in winter (22%). During the entire measurement periods in both seasons, relatively flat diurnal variations of sulfate were found, suggesting that it was associated with regional transport. However, occasionally rapid increase of sulfate can be caused by the transport of upwind industrial sources and enhanced vertical mixing processes. Nitrate showed a peak at morning rush hours related to traffic emissions, and then subsequently decreased by evaporation processes during daytime with higher temperature. Positive matrix factorization analysis revealed that the total OA was dominated by secondary organic aerosol (SOA) over the primary traffic emissions with ∼82% in summer and ∼48% in winter. A detailed analysis of two pollution episodes clearly demonstrated the impact of meteorological conditions on secondary aerosol formation and accumulation. A summertime heatwave episode showed high contributions of SOA to PM 2.5 mass, which formed locally through daytime photochemical oxidation as well as nighttime chemistry of biogenic precursors. A wintertime transitional episode occurred with significant shift from relatively warm and humid to cold and dry conditions. The fast formation of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium and SOA were found under the warm and humid period after receiving a local industrial emission plume. The cold and dry period was influenced by various sources including long-range transport of Saharan dust and anthropogenic emissions in central Europe. This study highlights the variations of urban PM 2.5 sources under certain meteorological conditions such as summer heatwave and humid winter, which are expected high occurrence in future. Our results provide the implication on actual needs of mitigation actions to these pollution episodes in less-polluted western Europe cities. • Highly-time resolved chemical characterization of PM 2.5 was studied at an urban street canyon. • Organic aerosol was the major contributor of PM 2.5 with dominant contribution of SOA over the direct traffic emissions. • Residential wood combustion from the surrounding rural areas contributed largely to organic aerosol during winter nights. • Pollution episodes are caused by the special meteorology and are related to secondary aerosol formation and accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first pan-European kilometre-scale atmospheric chemistry simulation is introduced. The continental-scale air pollution episode of January 2009 is modelled with the CHIMERE offline chemistry-transport model with a massive grid of 2 million horizontal points, performed on 2000 CPU of a high performance computing system hosted by the Research and Technology Computing Center at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CCRT/CEA). Besides the technical challenge, we find that model biases are significantly reduced, especially over urban areas. The high resolution grid also allows revisiting the contribution of individual city plumes to the European burden of pollution, providing new insights for designing air pollution control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of circular economy supports mitigation of climate change and other environmental pressures to the planet. Circulating materials in anthropogenic processes come with the risk of accumulating hazardous substances and compounds. In this concept, waste incineration or waste-to-energy (WtE) is a necessary technology to remove these compounds from the life cycle. In this mini-review, contaminants of major importance in the flue gas from waste incineration plants and their environmental impact are discussed. Air pollution of WtE is often seen as the most relevant environmental impact of this treatment option. The emission values parameter set for different countries is presented and compared. The most stringent legally set of emission values could be found in parts of Europe and South Korea. Japan also permits similar strict values when authorising individual incineration plants. In North America, the values are partially less strict as the best available technologies in Europe suggest being possible. Emerging economies, such as India and China, have shown efforts to improve their environmental protection standards but still have room to improve. This could be set in relation to other industrial emitting processes and therefore could be used to assess the relevance of this industry sector to the national emission inventories.

There is a lack of studies directly comparing the effect of air pollution on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurrence in industrial and non-industrial areas. A comparison of association of air pollution exposure with ACS in two cohorts of industrially different areas. The study covered 6,000,000 person-years of follow-up and five pollutants between 2008 and 2017. A time series regression analysis with 7-lag was used to assess the effects air pollution on ACS. A total of 9046 patients with ACS were included in the analysis, of whom 3895 (43.06%) had ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) - 45.39% from non-industrial area, and 42.37% from industrial area; and 5151 (56.94%) had non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) - 54.61% from non-industrial area and 57.63% from industrial area. The daily concentrations of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , SO 2 , CO were higher in industrial than in non-industrial area (P < 0.001). In non-industrial area, an increase of 10 μg/m3 of NO 2 concentration (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.126, 95%CI = 1.009–1.257; P = 0.034, lag-0) and an increase of 1 mg/m3 in CO concentration (RR = 1.055, 95%CI = 1.010–1.103; P = 0.017, lag-0) were associated with an increase in the number of hospitalization due to NSTEMI (for industrial area increase of 10 μg/m3 in NO 2 (OR = 1.062, 95%CI = 1.020–1.094; P = 0.005, lag-0), SO 2 (OR = 1.061, 95%CI = 1.010–1.116; P = 0.018, lag-4), PM 10 (OR = 1.010, 95%CI = 1.001–1.030; P = 0.047, lag-6). In STEMI patients in industrial area, an increased hospitalization was found to be associated with an increase of 10 μg/m3 in SO 2 (OR = 1.094, 95%CI = 1.030–1.162; P = 0.002, lag-1), PM 2.5 (OR = 1.041, 95%CI = 1.020–1.073; P < 0.001, lag-1), PM 10 (OR = 1.030, 95%CI = 1.010–1.051; P < 0.001, lag-1). No effects of air pollution on the number of hospitalization due to STEMI were noted from non-industrial area. The risk of air pollution-related ACS was higher in industrial over non-industrial area. The effect of NO 2 on the incidence of NSTEMI was observed in both areas. In industrial area, the effect of PMs and SO 2 on NSTEMI and STEMI were also observed. A clinical effect was more delayed in time in patients with NSTEMI, especially after exposure to PM 10. Chronic exposure to air pollution may underlie the differences in the short-term effect between particulate air pollution impact on the incidence of STEMI. [Display omitted] • The first study with 6,000,000 person-years and seven-lag design in central Europe. • Comparison of pollution impact on ACS in areas of notably different air quality. • Short-term exposure to NO 2 influenced the prevalence of ACS in both areas. • In severely polluted area concentrations of PMs, SO 2 , NO 2 affected STEMI and NSTEMI. • No effect of air pollution on STEMI was noted in non-industrial area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last few decades, European legislation has driven progress in reducing air pollution in Europe through emission mitigation measures. In this paper, we use a chemistry transport model to assess the impact on ambient air quality of the measures considered for 2030 in the for the scenarios with existing (WEM2030) and additional measures (WAM2030). The study estimates a general improvement of air quality for the WAM2030 scenario, with no non-compliant air quality zones for NO2, SO2, and PM indicators. Despite an improvement for O3, the model still estimates non-compliant areas. For this pollutant, the WAM2030 scenario leads to different impacts depending on the indicator considered. Although the model estimates a reduction in maximum hourly O3 concentrations, small increases in O3 concentrations in winter and nighttime in the summer lead to increases in the annual mean in some areas and increases in other indicators (SOMO35 for health impacts and AOT40 for impacts on vegetation) in some urban areas. The results suggest that the lower NOx emissions in the WEM and WAM scenarios lead to less removal of O3 by NO titration, especially background ozone in winter and both background and locally produced ozone in summer, in areas with high NOx emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The countries around the world are dealing with air quality issues for decades due to their mode of production and energy usages. The outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic and consequent global economic shutdown, for the first time, provided a base for the real-time experiment of the effect of reduced emissions across the globe in abetting the air pollution issue. The present study dealt with the changes in Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), a marker of air pollution, because of global economic shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The study considered the countries in south and south-east Asia (SSEA), Europe and the USA for their extended period of lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic. Daily Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from Moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) and tropospheric column density of NO 2 and SO 2 from Ozone monitoring instrument (OMI) sensors, including meteorological data such as wind speed (WS) and relative humidity (RH) were analyzed during the pre-lockdown (2017–2019) and lockdown periods (2020). The average AOD, NO 2 and SO 2 during the lockdown period were statistically compared with their pre-lockdown average using Wilcoxon-signed-paired-rank test. The accuracy of the MODIS-derived AOD, including the changing pattern of AOD due to lockdown was estimated using AERONET data. The weekly anomaly of AOD, NO 2 and SO 2 was used for analyzing the space-time variation of aerosol load as restrictions were imposed by the concerned countries at the different points of time. Additionally, a random forest-based regression (RF) model was used to examine the effects of meteorological and emission parameters on the spatial variation of AOD. A significant reduction of AOD (−20%) was obtained for majority of the areas in SSEA, Europe and USA during the lockdown period. Yet, the clusters of increased AOD (30–60%) was obtained in the south-east part of SSEA, the western part of Europe and US regions. NO 2 reductions were measured up to 20–40%, while SO 2 emission increased up to 30% for a majority of areas in these regions. A notable space-time variation was observed in weekly anomaly. We found the evidence of the formation of new particles for causing high AOD under high RH and low WS, aided by the downward vertical wind flow. The RF model showed a distinguishable relative importance of emission and meteorological factors among these regions to account for the spatial variability of AOD. Our findings suggest that the continued lockdown might provide a temporary solution to air pollution; however, to combat persistent air quality issues, it needs switching over to the cleaner mode of production and energy. The findings of this study, thus, advocated for alternative energy policy at the global scale. Image 1 • AOD reduced to 20% in majority of the areas in SSEA, Europe and USA due to lockdown measures. • NO 2 reduction was measured up to 20–40%, while SO 2 increased up to 30% for majority of the areas during lockdown. • A complex interaction among SO 2 , WS and RH leads to high AOD by forming new particles. • Significant correlation was found between SO 2 concentration and residential mobility during lockdown period for USA. • A distinguishable influence on AOD was obtained for emission and meteorological factors using random forest regression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Article 7, second sentence of the EU EIA Directive 85/337 EEC transfrontier cooperation must comply with the principles of 'reciprocity and equivalence.' This presupposes an in-depth knowledge (both procedural and substantive) of the law on the authorization of industrial installations and the role of EIA in this context. The study reported here shows that within the framework of transfrontier environmental operations, procedural law is of major importance, thus, it makes a number of proposals for corresponding regulations. In the field of substantive law the central problems both nationally and interms of international harmonization lie in the field of air pollution, more specifically, 'immissions.' The extensive lack of air quality standards leaves a great many cases to be treated on their merits. Except for standards for ubiquitous substances such as SO2, NO, dust, etc., competent authorities are left to their own resources to make decisions. Hence, at present there seems to be no suitable basis for new international agreements. The provision of further abstract obligations, guidelines, or questions to be pursued will not lead to corresponding or equivalent decisions, which would help avoiddistortions in competition. On the emission side, the situation is notably less problematic and has given rise only to a few proposals. (c) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated assessment models such as the IIASA RAINS model have beenused in developing pollution control policies in Europe over recent years. Large uncertainties occur in all subunits of such models, especially in energy scenarios, abatement costs, emission-deposition-transport relationships, and the definition of the environmental targets.The effects of these uncertainties, together with errors in input data, have been investigated for the RAINS 7.2 modeling used in developing the initial EU Acidification Strategy proposals. Changes in inputdata, well within these uncertainties, can lead to significantly different 'optimal' strategies, with large differences in absolute levels of costs and their distribution between countries. It may be concluded that the outputs of integrated assessment models can only be a guide to policymaking, and should not be accepted uncritically. Model output should always be accompanied by a full uncertainty analysis, and the model and data used should be subject to thorough peer review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current discussions on controlling emissions of atmospheric nitrogenpollutants in Europe are adopting a multi-pollutant, multi-effect strategy where acidification, eutrophication and the effects of photochemical oxidants are all taken into account. Parallel activities by both the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (ratifiedby 42 governments of the 55 countries in the UNECE area) and the EU are making use of the critical loads approach and integrated assessment models to arrive at cost optimized scenarios for environmental protection. Critical loads and critical levels are used to define the thresholds for effects; as these are usually difficult to attain they are being used to set intermediate target objectives. A number of different methods for setting such targets, the so-called 'gap closures' are being investigated. While the basis for estimating critical loadsand levels has been extensively researched, collection of the necessary data and the development of methods continue to evolve. Current discussions on international agreements for emission reductions are based upon the best available information, but this has limitations which are often difficult to build into the decision making process. It is to be expected that any currently derived results will be an interim and very approximate solution for the problems resulting from pollutant emissions. Further steps will require better information on impacts and probably alternative approaches to the critical loads concept as it currently stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No nutrient element is more important than nitrogen in governing thedevelopment of living organisms and in determining the pollution climate of the earth. So far, the processes of enhancing agricultural and forest production and making pollution-control adjustments in the industrial, commercial, agricultural, and transportation systems of society have proceeded in more or less complete isolation from concern about the environmental consequences of human alterations in the nitrogen cycle of the earth. Also, most pollution abatement and mitigation strategies have so far been aimed at resolving one or another particular societal pollution problem in which oxidized and reduced forms of nitrogen play a part. The time has come to consider alternative, more fully integrated strategies and tactics by which to optimize societal efforts to maintain or increase agricultural and forest production while also enhancing the effectiveness and decreasing the cost of abating or mitigating various nitrogen-induced aspects of soil-, air-, and water pollution. In this paper we explore three general ideas: (1) some important similarities and differences in agriculture, forestry, and industry in the Netherlands and North Carolina and what theymean for nitrogen pollution management in our two home societies, (2) justification for adopting a 'total fixed nitrogen approach' ratherthan continuing to deal with oxidized and reduced forms of nitrogen separately, and (3) developing a 'concept of optimum nitrogen management for society'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper surveys recent efforts to relax the rigid regulatory frameworks for air pollution control in Europe and the USA. European policies have mainly taken the form of bubbles and compensation or offsetschemes. Emission trading has been limited to intra-firm solutions for various reasons: industry structure, absence of real scarcity, andtoo restrictive trading rules. Bubbles have been granted to homogenous sectors only and can be characterized as direct regulation for a group rather than tradable permit systems. By contrast, the sulphur allowance program in the USA has laid down the foundation for a pollution permit market with few formal restrictions. Problems that arise are mainly related to local environmental and public utility controls. Europe can learn from the USA that regular national permit markets could be installed, preferably for homogenous sectors. In designing thepermit system, the differences between the USA and Europe in terms of ecosystem sensitivity, stringency of regulation and differentiationof regional environmental policy have to be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]