Team: 1
School: Cleveland High
Area of Science: Environmental Sciences
Interim: Problem Definition:
Responsible for one in five premature deaths each year, air pollution is a major concern for both environmental and human health. The United States upholds National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six of the most common air pollutants (also known as criteria pollutants), including particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. Of the six pollutants, particle pollution and ground-level ozone pose the most immediate and severe health threats. Air quality can be improved greatly through regulation, which is only possible with monitoring to understand where policy will be most effective. Many wealthier nations enjoy continuous maps monitoring air quality, however less developed countries have much less research done on this topic, crucial to public and environmental health.
Solution:
To combat the disparity in the geographic focus of research, this project presents a three-part approach to both immediate and long-term means to reduce air pollution in Mexico, with data sources and methods that may be easily applied to other regions of the world as a baseline for more specialized regional studies.
Progress to Date:
The majority of the project has been completed in Python in R, using tools for statistical analysis, machine learning, and geospatial analysis of aerosol optical depth and other parameters relevant to estimate measuring particulate matter using satellite data, freely accessible at a global level.
Expected Results:
To provide accurate estimates of air pollution in places without monitoring stations, using a machine learning model that includes historical monitoring, land use and type data, meteorological parameters, and physical model simulations. Should build on and perform better than current methods of particulate matter estimation, including the NASA MERRA-2 model.
1. W.H.O, WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide; World Health Organization, 2021; pp. xxi, 273 p.
2. Kinney, P.L. Interactions of climate change, air pollution, and human health. Current Environmental Health Reports 2018, 5, 179–186. doi:10.1007/s40572-018-0188-x.
3. National Ambient Air Quality Standards. https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table. Accessed: 2021-07-01.
Team Members:
Sponsoring Teacher: Ashli Knoell