Evolution of Air Pollution
Monitoring in Ottawa
Natty Urquizo and Martha Robinson
Environmental Sustainability & Public Health
City of Ottawa
Hamilton February 2012
Reasons for Air Quality Monitoring




Although Ottawa has good air, OMA
(2008) estimates over 500/yr premature
deaths
Windsor – Quebec City Corridor is the
most polluted in the country
There was a single NAPS for 2,700 km2
up to 2007
Measuring is essential for air pollution
management
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Pilot Project Overview

Map pollution concentration spatially hour
by hour to identify patterns (“hot spots”)

One full year of monitoring (Jul’07-Jun’08) six
major pollutants:


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Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, NOx)
Ground Level ozone
Carbon Monoxide
Particulate Matter 2.5
Three months of integrating satellite data and
ground monitoring stations
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Pilot Project Partners

GeoConnections - NRCan, main sponsor

Transport Canada

Environment Canada

Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Ottawa International Airport

Ministère du Développement durable, de
l'Environnement et des Parcs – Quebec
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Ground Level Monitoring Locations
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Validation

Mobile labs in 8
sites across the city

One road side monitor
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Transportation Impact on NO2
Percentage of
time when NO2
NO2 > 50ppb 2007-12-10 - 2007-12-12
above 50 ppb
Standard:
EU 79 ppb/hr
US 100 ppb/hr
CAN 200 ppb/hr
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Maximum PM2.5
•Standard
30 µg/m3
•NO safe
level
•Local
source
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September 14th 2007 Episode
Montreal Influence
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The impact of transboundary
pollution due to a high pressure
system
Gradient shown by satellite data
Effects of precipitation
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Added Value of satellite data
NO2 Ground Level (NAPS)
NO2 OMI/Aura + NAPS + model
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AQHI using satellite data
Air Quality Health Index
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What do Single Pollutant Maps
Mean?
Needed a health connection
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Health Assessment Model

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Translate Air Quality maps from the pilot
project (2008) into meaningful health
impacts (morbidity, mortality and $$$)
Use Air Quality Benefits Assessment
Tool (AQBAT)
Obtain a tool for health impact
assessments of changing traffic flows
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Health Endpoint Report
Dates: 10 Mar 08 to 14 Mar 08
Endpoint
Cases
Acute Exposure Mortality
0.01
Acute Respiratory Symptom Days 190
Asthma Symptom Days
18
Minor Restricted Activity Days
38
Respiratory Emergency Room Visits 0.08
Respiratory Hospital Admissions
0.02
Adult Chronic Bronchitis
0.01
Cardiac Emergency Room Visits
0
Cardiac Hospital Admissions
0
Child Acute Bronchitis Episodes
0.03
Chronic Exposure Mortality
0.01
Restricted Activity Days
9.8
Elderly Cardiac Hospital Admissions 0
Total Valuation
Valuation ($)
65000
3100
1200
1100
220
110
3200
4.1
3.7
13
40000
600
13
$110,000
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Immediate or possible uses of the
Health Assessment model
 Assess Health Impacts of OC-Transpo
Depot Expansion
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Community demanded monitoring
Challenges using roadside monitors
make this tool ideal
Assess Health impacts of areas with
over 10,000 car/day
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3-D street level modeling
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Six blocks of Albert Street were
modelled and validated using two road
side monitors
Measurements were at:
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7 m above road
45 m above road
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Findings
Pollution at sidewalk level are 90%
higher than the one reported by MOE
 Demonstrates the canyon effect of high
density buildings
USES
 Demonstrates the value of a step back
approach in designing high buildings
 Useful for urban design

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Climate Change & Air Quality
Forecast
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Forecasting PM2.5
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Need to incorporate traffic in Air
Quality Forecasting
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Roadside monitoring
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Proximity to main Roads
Facility
Type
Percentage of Records
within
50 m
100 m
250 m
500 m
Schools
22.02
31.19
54.13
80.73
Old age
homes
50.91
60.00
74.55
92.73
Day cares
53.66
63.41
80.49
87.80
Active
Recreation
19.39
26.38
53.33
75.87
Active Rec
on schools
18.04
29.11
50.63
75.95
TOTAL
22.55
30.93
55.03
78.23
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Possible Partners for Municipalities
Ontario Ministry of the Environment (LRT)

Health Canada (UHI)
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Public Health Agency of Canada (CC & AQ, UHI)
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Environment Canada (AQHI)
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Board of Education (School curriculum)
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Other Municipalities (Roundabouts)
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USEPA (vegetation), local universities
Current Partners:
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HC (Airpointers)Public Health, Transportation Planners, Fire
Services, Community planning & design, Traffic
Operations, Public works, etc.

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Conclusion
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Developed meaningful tools for air
quality management
Continue working on AQ monitoring
using both satellite and roadside data
Looking for partners to do research
projects i.e. Roundabouts, vegetation
Ultimate aim is to develop policies
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