IN the last 10 years, at least five major fires have been reported at the Riverton City ‘landfill’: April 2005, January 2007, July 2008, February 2010 and February 2012.

Much attention was focused on the recent fires at the ‘landfill’, with several statements alluding to the harmful nature of the air emissions, and the associated health concerns.

In this article, we share, among other things, respirable particulate data for a school located in the Seaview Gardens community.

What you should know about smog – the misty air above cities

If you travel into Kingston early in the morning, then you would be very familiar with the bluish gray haze that is seen as you approach Ferry. Smog dissipates as the day warms up, so that by midday, the air is free of the haze, but not free of contaminants.

‘Air pollution’ is a mixture of multiple impurities whose effects may combine to produce a complex mixing pot of contaminants. The commonly known air pollutants are sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates (dust).

Ozone (O3), known for its beneficial effects in blocking harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun far above the earth [stratosphere] can be a serious contaminant at ground level. It is formed as a by-product of the reaction of sunlight with primary pollutants from vehicular emissions, industrial stacks and domestic fires; ground level ozone causes eye irritation, decreased lung function and poor visibility. Its concentration peaks in the early afternoon when the sunshine is most intense.

The concentration of air pollutants depends on several factors:

* type and source of contaminant;

* air movement and wind speed; as well as

* rainfall and land form.

Impurities, such as fine dust particles can travel far distances and remain in the air for long periods. They can thus cause effects far from their point of generation. This was apparent during the recent ‘landfill’ fire at Riverton. Smog was evident as far away as Portmore, Plantation Heights, Spanish Town, Red Hills, and Papine. The daily smog in Kingston is exacerbated by fires at the ‘landfill’, many of which take several days to be extinguished.

Air quality and your health

It is widely accepted that the health consequences of air pollution, both indoors and in ambient air [outdoor] are far reaching, ranging from simple discomfort to premature death. The effect on health is determined by the type of pollutant, some of which were mentioned above [carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, VOCs and particulates]. Many of these pollutants contribute to upper respiratory tract ailments and decreased lung function.

Respirable particulates are of special concern as these dust particles are very small — 0.1 to 10 microns — and can be respired directly into the lungs. Health effects vary also with age, state of health, sensitivities, where you live, work, or attend school, duration of exposure and weather. So if you spend most of your time in an area that has poor air quality, due to the length of exposure, you will be more at risk of contracting some chronic illnesses than someone who visits for short periods.

Outdoor air pollutants when trapped inside can make the indoor air even more contaminated than that outdoors due to the contaminants concentrating in the small internal air volume. The very young are at greater risk because they are more active outdoors and their lungs are still developing. The elderly are more susceptible to infections because their immune systems are easily compromised.

In view of concerns regarding the effect of air quality on children, the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston (KCNK) undertook a major project in 2010-2011 to investigate the conditions in the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA). The KCNK sought the assistance of Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL), who agreed to partner with them to undertake the necessary studies in the Corporate Area and to develop an awareness-building programme for schools in general.

Eight schools were selected for general sensitisation. A Video documentary entitled Choking on Air was produced and presented by the KCNK to the Minister of Education for distribution to schools. In this video, many of the students interviewed share the daily effects of poor air quality on their health. Air quality measurements were undertaken at three of the eight schools in the programme. Seaview Gardens Primary — one of the schools tested — is located in proximity to the Riverton City ‘Landfill’.

Following the recent fire at the ‘landfill’, ESL took the opportunity to deploy respirable particulate (PM10) air monitors over a 24-hour period, February 9-10, 2012, so as to compare the findings with the previous data [see table]. The monitors used measured the approximate volume of air that an individual would breathe in over a 24-hour period. Although a study of this nature is best done daily over several months, the three sets of data collected provide an indication of the likely particulate loads at the site.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) standard allows for the exceedance of the 150 µgm-3 maximum once during the year, with the annual average being less than 50 µgm-3 (microgram per cubic metre). From the data, we see that the standard was exceeded in 2010 and 2012. The central site, which is sheltered by buildings, has lower particulate levels, whereas the eastern site [which is] most exposed, has higher levels. Respirable particulate levels are considerably lower during the rainy periods (September 2011 data), due to dilution and suppression of fugitive dust; this is similar to us wetting an area to reduce dust. Monitoring was not done on a daily basis, so it is not known if the annual average is within or exceeds the 50 µgm-3 limit. This is a challenge faced by both developed and developing countries due to the prohibitive costs.

It is, however, important to note that during very dry and windy conditions and events such as fires at Riverton or elsewhere, respirable particulate levels can increase above recommended levels. Industrialisation and heavy traffic, particularly in urban areas, have made ambient air quality a major global concern. This will be compounded by the effects of climate change. We can influence our environment and preserve our health by making simple lifestyle changes.

Sharonmae Shirley, MPhil, CP-FS, is an environmental chemist and director of environmental services at Environmental Solutions Limited. She can be contacted via e-mail at sshirley@eslcaribbean.com.