Understanding Heterogeneity and Sources of Black Carbon and Volatile Organic Compounds in Residential Neighborhoods of New York State Capital Region and Hudson Valley Region
SANCHITA PAUL, Marco Eugene, Farid Barak, Md. Aynul Bari,
University at Albany, SUNY Abstract Number: 401
Working Group: Aerosol Exposure
AbstractIn the U.S., community air quality observation networks are limited in characterizing the diverse group of air pollutants e.g., black carbon, VOCs that affect exposure across regional to neighborhood scales. The NYS Capital Region is a metropolitan area (population more than 1 million inhabitants), where Albany and Saratoga counties have been experiencing declining air quality grades in the recent years. While the Hudson Valley region is an industrial hub and is known for several air quality issues e.g., residential wood smoke pollution and industrial emissions. This study aims to understand the spatiotemporal variability of climate forcing agents such as black carbon and pollutants of public health concern e.g., VOCs in residential neighborhoods in NYS Capital Region and Hudson Valley Region. The study used low-cost sensor technologies to measure indoor and outdoor concentrations of black carbon, in at least 60 homes during the winter and spring seasons over the period November 2021-May 2023. Data on meteorological parameters e.g., outdoor wind speed and wind direction relative humidity, temperature, as well as questionnaire-based housing characteristics, and occupants’ activities were also collected for each home. Results showed significantly higher black carbon concentrations outdoors (backyards) than indoors (living room), suggesting an influence of potential local sources. Significant variations in indoor concentrations were also observed among neighborhoods depending on the location of homes. The study also used cost-effective techniques to measure speciated VOCs for source analysis both indoors and outdoors in at least 20 homes across the study region. The findings of this study will provide insights into the potential health risks associated with exposure to indoor and near-field outdoor air pollution. Findings can benefit the general people to improve their knowledge, raise awareness and empower communities to take actions and/or inform policy makers to improve indoor air quality and public health.