Integrated Air Quality Management : Asian Case Studies

Based on 10 years of coordinated research on the worsening of the air pollution problem in Asia’s developing nations, this book provides an overview of air quality in urban areas across Asia. It discusses pollution in Bangkok, Thailand; Beijing, China; Chennai, India; Bandung; Indonesia; Manila, Philippines; and Hanoi, Vietnam and offers potential pollution reduction approaches. This reference covers data collection, modeling of urban pollution levels, control technologies, and devices for toxic gaseous pollutants and integrates them into a cost-effective air quality management strategy for the major polluting sources in Asia and around the world.

The steady growth in the number of vehicles on the road, heavy reliance on coal, use of dirty fuels for residential combustion, and extensive open burning are some of the major factors leading to the progressive deterioration of air quality in developing countries in Asia. And despite efforts to establish and implement air quality measurement systems, the development of infrastructure, environmental technology, and management practices continues to lag behind the rate of emission increase. Based on ten years of coordinated research, Integrated Air Quality Management: Asian Case Studies discusses technical and policy tools for the integrated air quality management of developing countries in Asia.

The book begins with an overview of major issues of air quality management practices in developing Asia and potential approaches to reduce pollution, including opportunities for integration of air quality improvement and climate migration strategies. It covers the methodology and results of fine particulate matter monitoring using traditional filter-based and satellite monitoring techniques. It examines the applications of a 3D dispersion modeling tool for urban and regional air quality management focusing on surface ozone, fine particulate matter, and acid deposition. The final chapters discuss innovative control technologies for gaseous air pollutants and illustrate the integrated air quality management in developing Asia through case studies for target source categories including agricultural residue field burning, vehicle emissions, brick kilns, and industrial VOC emission.

Illustrated with case studies, this book presents an integrated air quality management methodology that employs technical and policy tools to achieve air quality goals. It includes technical information and policy recommendations based on the outcomes of several multi-year air quality research programs coordinated by the Asian Institute of Technology. The text combines fundamental information and advanced knowledge useful to large audiences dealing with subjects of integrated air quality management.