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ENE 535: APPLIED AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT

4 Units

Course Information and Syllabus

Location: Physical address and/or course-related URLs, etc. TBD

Instructor:

Constantinos Sioutas, Sc.D.

Fred Champion Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Office: KAP 216c;

Telephone: 213-740-6134;

Fax: 213-744-1426;

E-mail: sioutas@usc.edu

USC Aerosol Lab- usc.edu/aerosol

Office Hours: TBD

TA: TBD

TA Contact Info: TBD

IT Help:

Catalogue Description:

Sources, atmospheric dispersion and transformation of air pollutants, human exposure to air pollution and factors affecting population exposure, indoor air pollution, pharmacokinetic model and calculations of dose resulting from inhalation of toxic air substances, risk assessment and risk management

Course Description

Effective air quality management requires detailed knowledge of the nature of air pollutants, their emission levels, airborne concentrations and adverse health effects (mainly on human health). This course is designed to offer engineers practical education on the links between pollutant emissions, air quality measurements and adverse health effects of air pollutants. The main goal of the course is to provide students whose background is in more traditional fields of engineering and science with an integrated education in air quality, which is an essential tool in pursuing professional careers in environmental management in the private or public sectors.

The course consists of three main components. The first component is devoted to the description of major sources and sampling strategies for air pollutants and focuses on strategies for measuring pollutant concentrations either on a community, occupational or personal level. The sources and transformations of air pollutants are discussed. Measurement strategies are explained in detail, with particular emphasis on the logistics of air pollutant sampling. The final part of the first component will be devoted to regulation; air quality standards and emissions standards for primary and secondary air pollutants will be presented. The second part of the class is devoted to the transformation and dispersion of air pollutants from their sources into the atmosphere. We will discuss the following topics: PM Source Emissions Characterization; Gaussian Dispersion and Atmospheric Transformation of Pollutants Sources and Formation Mechanisms of Air Pollutants; Indoor Air Pollution ; Intake Fraction. The third component of the class will be devoted to a description of the effects of air pollution on the environment and human health. Case studies will be employed to best explain to students the effects of air pollution measured either on a toxicological (and thus mechanistic) or epidemiological level. We will discuss the following topics: Introduction to population exposure assessment; Pharmacokinetic model and calculation of dose ; Risk Assessment and Risk Management

The final component of the class will be a project designed to best illustrate to students the integrative nature of air quality management, by showing them the links between pollution source, receptor and eventually environmental effect.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to : understand the source of air pollutants in the atmosphere; determine their spatial and temporal characteristics; understand the degree to which an urban population is exposed to a specific pollutant emitted from a specific source depending on where they live and work; know the major indoor sources of air pollutants as well as the extent to which pollutants emitted outdoors infiltrate indoors; determine the concentration of air pollutants in an urban area based on their sources and emission rates, meteorology and area characteristics; calculate the amount (dose) of a pollutant untaken by the human body upon inhalation; and determine the associated cancer and non-cancer risks as a result of this exposure and dose.

Textbook and Prerequisites

Textbook:

There is no official textbook for the class. All lecture notes will be available on Blackboard.

References:

Seinfeld, J.H and Pandis SN . Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry – From Air Pollution to Climate Change. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2nd Edition, (1998).

Friedlander, S.K. Smoke, Dust and Haze. New York ; Oxford : Oxford University Press, (2000).

Gilbert M. Masters & Wendell P. Ela “Introduction to Environmental Engineering”. -John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 5th edition, (2014)

And Many Selected Journal Publications

Prerequisite(s): Department approval – strong undergraduate background in chemistry, physics, thermodynamics and calculus

Co-Requisite(s): NA

Concurrent Enrollment: NA

Recommended Preparation:

Computer Usage

Computers such as IBMPC, Macintosh or equivalent with graphic capabilities are preferred for

preparation of assignments and reports for case studies.

Grading Criteria:

Class participation: 10%

Homeworks: 30%

Midterm (open book): 30%

Project : 30%

Description and Assessment of Assignments

We will have 4 homeworks in the first 9 weeks of the semester. Each homework will consist of problems similar to the examples solved during the lectures and discussion sessions

Assignment Submission Policy

Each homework will be due in roughly two weeks since the date that it is assigned. The first homework will be assigned during week 2.

Grading Timeline

Homeworks will be graded and returned to the students within a week since the due date

Additional Policies

The midterm will be an open book exam. Students can bring their textbook ,class notes and a calculator. The use of laptops , smartphones etc is not allowed in the midterm. Paper sheets will be provided by the TA who will be proctoring the exam

Course Content

Course Objective:

In this class, we will follow an integrated 6-step approach to studying air pollutants and their effects on climate and human health. First, we will discuss the sources and formation mechanisms of gas and particle phase air pollutants. Then we will examine their dispersion, aging and transformation in the urban atmosphere. The 3rd step will be a discussion of population exposure to these air pollutants, including the subject of indoor air pollution. The 4th step will be the use of the pharmacokinetic model to determine the resulting dose from inhalation of these air pollutants. The last 2 steps will be on risk assessment and risk management

Course Schedule: Weekly Breakdown

Week 1: Introduction; Primary and Secondary Pollutants and Air Quality Standards

 

•  Description of primary and secondary air pollutants 

•  Effects on human health and the environment.

•  Introduction to the concept of source, transformation, exposure, dose and risk to air pollutants

• The scientific basis for air quality control and management.

• Air pollution standards and regulation.

Week 2 : Sources, Formation, Atmospheric Dispersion of Gaseous Air Pollutants

• Condensation/ Evaporation of semi-volatile species and gas-to-particle partitioning

• Sources and Formation mechanisms of Sulfur Oxides

• Sources and Formation mechanisms of Nitrogen Oxides and Ammonia

• Sources and Formation mechanisms of Semi-volatile Organics

Weeks 3 - 4 : Sources, Formation, Atmospheric Dispersion of Particulate Air Pollutants

• Adsorption and absorption processes

• Combustion-generated particles

• Photo chemically produced particles

• Salt particles formed from sea spray

• Soil and road dust

• Bioaerosols (viruses, bacteria, pollen, allergens).

• Nitrate Chemistry

• Sulfate Chemistry

• Semi volatile Organics

Week 5: Vehicular (Traffic) Emissions (1)

• Formation mechanisms during combustion

• Effect of atmospheric dilution

• Newer vs older vehicle emissions and historical trends

• Effects of different fuels on particle formation , chemical properties and toxicity

Week 6 : Vehicular (Traffic) Emissions (2)

• Emissions Rates (or Factors) of Size-Segregated Aerosols from Light and Heavy –Duty On-Road Vehicles

• Emission factors of turbine engines

• Ship emissions

• Locomotive emissions

Week 7 : Atmospheric Dispersion and Aging of Primary Emissions

• Atmospheric removal processes- dry deposition, wet deposition

• Air pollution and meteorology- atmospheric stability

• The Gaussian plume model

• Line source dispersion model

• Area source models

Week 8 : Indoor Air Pollution

• Sources of indoor air pollutants

• Infiltration, air exchange rate, ventilation

• Deposition in indoor environments

• General equation to predict indoor concentrations

• Indoor chemistry and transformation of air pollutants

Week 9: Intake Fraction

• Introduction to this unique population exposure metric

• Attributable exposure concentrations of air pollutants

• Population time –activity patterns

• Intake fraction calculations

Week 10- Midterm– open book

Week 11- Introduction to the Class Project

• Presentation of basic objectives

• Discussion on linkages to course material (including upcoming lectures)

Week 12. Pharmacokinetic Model

• Pharmacokinetic/Mechanism-Based Model for Analysis of Cancer Risk

• Ventilation / perfusion in the human lung

• Air pollutant partitioning between blood and tissue

• Clearance of air pollutants from human body

• The role of metabolism and the liver

• Equilibrium concentrations of air pollutants in various parts of the human body

Week 13- Interim student group report on project

Week 14. Risk Assessment and Risk Management

• Definition and perspectives on risk

• Distinction between cancer vs non-cancer risk

• The one-hit model and calculations of potency factors for air carcinogens

• The role of epidemiology

• Calculations of incremental lifetime risk

• Hazard index and hazard quotient for non-carcinogens

• Bio concentration factors

• Risk Management

Week 15 - Final Project presentations by student groups

 

Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems

Academic Conduct:

Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Part B, Section 11, “Behavior Violating University Standards” .  Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable.  See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct, .

 

Support Systems:

Student Counseling Services (SCS) - (213) 740-7711 – 24/7 on call

Free and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255

Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP) - (213) 740-4900 - 24/7 on call

Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender-based harm.

Sexual Assault Resource Center

For more information about how to get help or help a survivor, rights, reporting options, and additional resources, visit the website:

Office of Equity and Diversity (OED)/Title IX Compliance – (213) 740-5086

Works with faculty, staff, visitors, applicants, and students around issues of protected class.

Bias Assessment Response and Support

Incidents of bias, hate crimes and microaggressions need to be reported allowing for appropriate investigation and response.

The Office of Disability Services and Programs

Provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange relevant accommodations.

Student Support and Advocacy – (213) 821-4710

Assists students and families in resolving complex issues adversely affecting their success as a student EX: personal, financial, and academic.

Diversity at USC

Information on events, programs and training, the Diversity Task Force (including representatives for each school), chronology, participation, and various resources for students.

USC Emergency Information

Provides safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible,

USC Department of Public Safety – 213-740-4321 (UPC) and 323-442-1000 (HSC) for 24-hour emergency assistance or to report a crime.

Provides overall safety to USC community.

Provides overall safety to USC community.

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