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Atmospheric Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Coupled With Point Measurement Air Quality Samplers to Measure Fine Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions From Agricultural Operations: The Los Banos CA Fall 2007 Tillage Campaign.
Citation:
Bingham, G., J. Bowman, C. Marchant, R. Martin, K. Moore, P. Silva, M. Wojcik, D. J. WILLIAMS, S. CHILINGARYAN, AND J. Hatfield. Atmospheric Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Coupled With Point Measurement Air Quality Samplers to Measure Fine Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions From Agricultural Operations: The Los Banos CA Fall 2007 Tillage Campaign. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Airborne particles, especially fine particulate matter 2.5 micrometers (μm) or less in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), are microscopic solids or liquid droplets that can cause serious health problems, including increased respiratory symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing, decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, development of chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease [5]. Larger particles tend to be removed from the air stream by the nose and throat before entering the lungs [6]. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established limits for PM2.5 and PM10 (particles less than or equal to an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm) levels in order to protect public health as part of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) [7][8]. The U.S. EPA requires state air quality management agencies to monitor ambient PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations for conditions hazardous to the population, report areas that exceed the NAAQS beyond the allowed number of times, and establish procedures to reduce particulate concentrations to meet the standards.
Description:
Airborne particles, especially fine particulate matter 2.5 micrometers (μm) or less in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), are microscopic solids or liquid droplets that can cause serious health problems, including increased respiratory symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing, decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, development of chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Concern with these effects resulting from local operations in agricultural areas is drawing increased regulatory scrutiny and research. To investigate the control effectiveness of one of the current San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Conservation Management Practices (CMPs) listed for agricultural land preparation on the generation of particulate matter levels, the U.S. EPA Environmental Sciences Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory was awarded a Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) project.