Air Pollution Monitoring Site Selection by Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis
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Description:
Criteria air pollutants (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide) as well as toxic air pollutants are a global concern. A particular scenario that is receiving increased attention in the research is the exposure to these compounds in near-road settings. Mobile source air toxics (MSATs) are emitted by vehicles, and addressing MSATs requires a combination of expertise in engineering, physical sciences, and social sciences. To collect air pollutant data in a near-road setting, the proper site must be chosen based on a set of relevant criteria. The purpose of any site selection process is to gather and analyze data that would lead one to draw informed conclusions regarding the selection of the most appropriate site for the location of the monitoring instruments. The site selection process is a series of steps, each of which has varying degrees of complexity due to real-world issues. The first step is to develop a set of site selection criteria. For example, if the project is attempting to collect air pollutant emissions from highway vehicles, then a criterion might be to locate a section of highway that has significant traffic volume.
Purpose/Objective:
book chapter
Record Details:
Record Type: DOCUMENT (BOOK CHAPTER)Organization:
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYOFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY
AIR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL DIVISION
ATMOSPHERIC PROTECTION BRANCH