Title: Proposed pollutant index to incorporate synergistic effects

Authors: Melissa Malakos, Kau-Fui V. Wong

Addresses: College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA. College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA

Abstract: It is important to monitor daily outdoor pollution conditions in order to issue advisory notices for those of the population more susceptible to the effects of pollution. These conditions are currently conveyed to the public via a single number and descriptor, known as the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI). The objective of the present work is to improve on some of the shortcomings in the PSI. Given the constraints inherent in a single value representing the complex associations called air quality, the New Pollutant Index (NPI) has been introduced that is a more adaptable index than the current PSI. New standards can be incorporated easily, and synergistic effects can be accounted for and adjusted pending conclusive studies. The NPI needs to be tested in the long-term to verify that it is a reasonable reflection of the air quality for widespread areas. This can be done by comparing the air ratings given by the index with the documented complaints of respiratory and other ailments associated with the criteria pollutants.

Keywords: air iindex; air quality; contamination.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1999.002284

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1999 Vol.12 No.1, pp.2-10

Published online: 13 Aug 2003 *

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