ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

• Particulate Matter


  Can be solid or liquid particles, usually defined in terms of PM10 and PM2.5 where the subscript refers to the diameter of the particle in microns

  
• Particulate Matter


  • Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye
  • Reduces visibility in the atmosphere
  • Causes health problems related to the respiratory system and circulatory system

  
• Relative sizes of particles in air

  • PM10
  • PM2.5

  
• Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP)


  High-volume samplers measured PM by TSP, usually less than 25-50 μg/m3, concentrations measured usually around 260 μg/m3

  
• Based on research in the 1960s and 1970s, the human respiratory system was found to be affected by PM that was finer than what high-volume samplers measured
• PM10 standard


  A new standard based on PM10 was established using a 24-hour concentration of 150 μg/m3
• Sources of PM


  • Natural sources: Dust, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, pollen
  • Anthropogenic sources: Combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., vehicles, industrial processes, power plants), Industrial activities (e.g., construction, mining, manufacturing), Agricultural activities (e.g., livestock farming, crop burning), Residential heating and cooking, Waste incineration
• Health Effects of PM

  • Respiratory effects: Irritation of the respiratory tract, asthma exacerbation, bronchitis, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases
  • Cardiovascular effects: Increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular mortality
  • Adverse pregnancy outcomes: Increased risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality
  • Other health effects: Impaired lung function, increased susceptibility to infections, and exacerbation of existing health conditions
• Environmental Impacts of PM

  • Air quality degradation: Reduction in visibility and formation of haze
  • Ecosystem damage: Deposition of particles on soil and water bodies, affecting plant and aquatic life
  • Climate change: Particles can act as cloud condensation nuclei, influencing cloud formation and precipitation patterns

  
• WHO benchmarks for PM

  PM2.5: 10 µg/m³ annual mean, 25 µg/m³ 24-hour mean

  PM10: 20 µg/m³ annual mean, 50 µg/m³ 24-hour mean
• Primary standards for PM regulation

  Set with the intent to protect public health, particularly the health of sensitive populations such as children, the elderly, and those with asthma
• Secondary standards for PM regulation


  Meant to protect public welfare and the environment, limit occurrences of decreased visibility and avoid damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings
• Air Quality Index (AQI)


  Numerical scale to communicate the health risks associated with PM pollution

  
• AQI Levels of Health Concern

  • Good (0-50)
  • Moderate (51-100)
  • Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)
  • Unhealthy (151-200)
  • Very Unhealthy (201-300)
  • Hazardous (301-500)
• Measurement and Monitoring of Particulate Matter

  • Monitoring stations equipped with instruments such as particulate matter samplers and optical sensors
  • Measurement of PM concentrations in terms of mass concentration (µg/m³) or particle count (particles/cm³)
  • Computation of Air Quality Index (AQI) to communicate the health risks associated with PM pollution

  
• Methods of PM Measurement

  • Gravimetric method: collecting PM on filters and weighing them to determine mass concentration
  • Optical methods: Using light scattering or absorption to estimate particle concentration
  • Direct-reading instruments: Providing real-time measurements of PM concentrations

  
• Instruments used for PM monitoring

  • Beta Attenuation Mass (BAM) Monitor
• Annual PM2.5 Monitoring by Region (2023)
• Annual PM10 Monitoring by Region (2023)
• Region 10 PM10 Monitoring (Feb. 2023)
• Metro Manila AQI based on PM10 & PM2.5 (3/19/24 @8pm)
• Philippines' Air Quality Index (AQI) Rose 3x Higher Than the Safe Level (4/30/23)
• Regulatory Standards and Guidelines

  • DENR Standards (RA 8749)
  • World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards

  
• Mitigation Strategies


  • Implementation of emission control measures (e.g., vehicle emission standards, industrial regulations)
  • Promotion of clean energy sources and technologies
  • Urban planning measures to reduce exposure to PM pollution (e.g., green spaces, pedestrian zones)
  • Public awareness and education campaigns on the health effects of PM pollution and ways to reduce exposure
• Challenges and Future Directions

  • Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of monitoring data
  • Addressing emerging pollutants and sources of PM pollution
  • Integrating PM monitoring with other environmental monitoring efforts
  • Promoting research and innovation in PM measurement technologies

  
• Estimating and Monitoring Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Field Burning of Crop Residues

  
• Jose Hermis P. Patricio

  Professor, CMU-CFES
• Outline


  • Overview of agricultural residue burning
  • Importance of addressing the issue
  • Environmental and health impacts
  • Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from burning of agricultural wastes
  • Monitoring techniques
  • Management strategies

  
• Land Area for Agriculture
• Leading Crops in PH
• Given this, the country's agriculture sector is expectedly generating every year significant amount of wastes called crop residues (rice, corn and sugarcane)

  
• Sugarcane residues constitute about 11% of the world's agricultural waste (Crutzen and Andreae, 1990)

  
• Wetland rice cultivated in the Phils. under a moderate level of management produced between 0.6 and 0.9 tonnes of straw per tonne of grain (Ponnamperuma, 1984)

  
• Corn residues in the Philippines is produced at a rate of 4,731.92 kg ha-1 (DAP, nd)

  
• Burning of Agri Residues

  • Common agricultural practice in the Philippines, particularly after harvest seasons
  • Primarily conducted to clear fields quickly for the next planting cycle
  • Main crops associated with residue burning include rice, sugarcane, corn, and other crops
  • Typically occurs in rural areas where agriculture is a major livelihood
  • Regulatory efforts exist to control burning, but enforcement can be challenging due to socioeconomic factors and limited resources

  
• Burning of Agri Residues

  • Causes significant air pollution, emitting pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds
  • Leads to health issues, including respiratory problems, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly
  • Contributes to environmental degradation, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions

  
• However, the practice of field burning crop residues leads to the production not only of CO2 but also non-CO2 GHG and their precursors such as carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen oxide (NOx)

  
• Estimating GHG Emissions from Burning of Agricultural Residues

  1. Total Carbon Released from Burning Agricultural Residues

  2. Calculate GHG emissions

  
• Total Carbon Released from Burning Agricultural Residues

  Data required: Amount of crops produced with residues that are commonly burned, Ratio of residue to crop product, Fraction of residue burned, Dry matter content of residue, Fraction oxidized in burning, and Carbon content of the residue

  
• Emission ratios for Crop Residue Default Values