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Roberts-Semple, Dawn. Air pollution, meteorology and public health in New Jersey. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T37H1HJ6
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TitleAir pollution, meteorology and public health in New Jersey
NameRoberts-Semple, Dawn (author), Gao, Yuan (chair), Gates, Alexander (internal member), Elzinga, Evert (internal member), Mammo, Abate (outside member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - Newark
Degree Date2012-05
Date Created2012
SubjectEnvironmental Science, Air--Pollution--New Jersey--Newark--Case studies, Air--Pollution--New Jersey--Hackensack Meadowlands--Case studies
DescriptionAir pollutant concentrations vary with local meteorological conditions and can have deleterious effects on human health. This dissertation adapts an integrated approach to improve understanding about the role of meteorological factors on air pollution concentrations and their cumulative effects on public health in Newark and the Meadowlands, New Jersey. Filter-based samples of particulate matter (PM) were collected and meteorological variables were monitored in Newark from August to October 2009 and from December 2010 to January 2011. Measurements of daily maximum ground-level ozone (O3) were obtained from Newark Firehouse, a monitoring station in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection network (NJDEP). Ambient concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and O3 were measured and meteorological variables were monitored at the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI) from June 2007 to May 2008, to characterize the temporal and seasonal variations of gas-phase air pollutants. Health records of respiratory hospital admissions were obtained from St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark and the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS). Statistical analyses were conducted by using time series, multiple linear and principal component regression techniques. The results show that ambient levels of PM2.5 and O3 were influenced mainly by temperature and wind speed. Positive associations demonstrated among O3, PM and hospital admissions suggest that even below current federal standards, air pollutant levels could be associated with an increased risk for respiratory illnesses. Variability of NOx and O3 were altered by distinct atmospheric conditions and chemical inter-conversions of the pollutants. There was an inverse relationship between concentrations of NOx and O3; the latter was dominant in summer and specific time of the day (early afternoon). Seasonal variations of NOx were less distinct with strong diurnal patterns of traffic-related peaks during the early morning rush hour. There was a strong association between NOx and respiratory hospital admissions mainly in the winter season. For O3, association with hospital admissions was strongest at 2 lag days. Both climate-induced and pollution-induced health effects of NOx and O3 suggest that current national standards may not adequately provide a safe threshold for air pollutants from a public health perspective.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
NoteIncludes vita
Noteby Dawn Roberts-Semple
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T37H1HJ6
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - Newark Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.