The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a 10-point scale that communicates the cumulative health risks associated with air pollution (ECCC, 2016). The general theme of this dissertation centers on an understanding of AQHI adoption while accounting for socioeconomic status (SES) in order to facilitate AQHI uptake by the public with particular focus on “at risk” populations (i.e. young children, seniors, and those with pre-existing respiratory and/or cardiovascular conditions). The study is unique since it approaches AQHI adoption consistent with the ecological model and an equity lens, and AQHI adoption is considered at the individual, organizational and community levels. The study area for this dissertation is Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The findings from this dissertation contribute to an understanding of why AQHI is or is not being adopted and suggests potential intervention strategies to increase its uptake. Consistent with health behaviour theory, demographics (gender, age, education, area of residence), knowledge/understanding and individual risk perceptions (neighbourhood air effects on health) were found to be significant predictors of AQHI adoption. Additionally, perceived benefits of AQHI adoption included protection of health for self and those cared for via familial and/or occupational duties. While perceived barriers of AQHI adoption included lack of time required to check and follow AQHI health messages and the inability to “self-identify” as belonging to the “at risk” population. This dissertation proposes that increases in AQHI adoption may be achieved by increasing AQHI knowledge and emphasizing the benefits and relevance of AQHI such that “at risk” populations can self-identify. Additionally, AQHI uptake may be increased by providing AQHI information at a neighbourhood scale via local media sources and wearable devices. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

[pt] Amostras de precipitação foram coletadas em dois locais distintos (Gávea e Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos - PARNASO) no estado do Rio de Janeiro, no período de abril de 2022 a abril de 2023. As amostras foram analisadas quanto aos constituintes iônicos por cromatografia de íons (CI) e quanto aos elementos traço por ICP-MS para a determinação de suas concentrações e identificação das fontes potenciais. A concentração dos íons (microequivalentes L-1 ) das amostras da Gávea foi (oxalato) < fluoreto < (malonato) < (brometo) < (acetato) < (sulfato) < (nitrato) < Cle (potássio) < (magnésio) < (amônia)< (cálcio) < (sódio) , enquanto nas do PARNASO foi (brometo) < (oxalato) < (acetato) < (oxalato)< (nitrato) < (fosfato) < Cle (cálcio) < (magnésio) < (potássio) < (sódio) . Já a concentração (miligrama por litro) dos elementos traço na Gávea foi (cromo) = (níquel) = (estanho) < (manganês) < (cobre) < (ferro) < (chumbo) < (zinco), enquanto no PARNASO foi (cromo) < (manganês) < (níquel) < (ferro) < (estanho) < (chumbo) < (cobre) < (zinco). As amostras da Gávea apresentaram um pH médio de 5,73 e uma condutividade média de 21,9 microsiemens cm-1 , enquanto as do PARNASO um pH de 6,05 e uma condutividade de 21,4 microsiemens cm-1 . (Sódio) e (Cloreto) foram os íons mais abundantes na precipitação em ambos os locais, tendo sua origem fortemente associada ao spray marinho. Correlações significativas, fatores de enriquecimento, frações não marinhas e fracionamento de fontes foram realizados para sugerir a origem das espécies iônicas determinadas. A região urbana da Gávea sofreu um maior impacto das fontes antropogênicas (52 por cento), enquanto a região preservada do PARNASO das fontes naturais (62 por cento). Os elementos traço principais foram avaliados a partir da comparação com estudos anteriores presentes na literatura. (Estanho) e (chumbo) foram associados ao desgaste de componentes veiculares, aditivos de combustível e tráfego. As altas de (ferro), (níquel) e (zinco) no PARNASO sugeriram a contribuição, respectivamente, do solo, dos combustíveis líquidos/carvão e dos materiais vegetais geológicos/micronutrientes. Assim, foi confirmada a eficácia da água da chuva como outra ferramenta de avaliação da qualidade do ar de uma região. Além disso, comprovou-se, conforme esperado, que a poluição na Gávea foi maior do que no PARNASO. / [en] Precipitation samples were collected in two different locations (Gávea and Serra dos Órgãos National Park - PARNASO) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, from April 2022 to April 2023. The samples were analyzed for ionic constituents by ionchromatography (IC) and to trace elements by ICP-MS to determine their concentrations and identify potential sources. The ion concentration (microequivalents L-1) of the Gávea samples was (oxalate) < (fluoride)< (malonate)< (bromide)< (acetate)< (sulfate)< (nitrate) < (chloride) and (potassium) < (magnesium) < (ammonium) < (calcium) < (sodium), while in PARNASO it was (bromide)< (oxalate)<(acetate)< (sulfate) < (nitrate) < (phosphate)< Cl and (calcium) < (magnesium) < (sulfate) < (potassium) < (sodium). The concentration (milligram per liter) of the trace elements in Gávea was (chrome) = (nickel)= (tin) < (manganese) < (copper)< (iron) < (lead) < (zinc), while in PARNASO it was (chrome) < (manganese) < (nickel) < (iron) < (tin)< (lead)< (copper) <(zinc). The samples from Gávea had an average pH of 5.73 and an average conductivity of 21.9 (microsiemens) cm-1, while those from PARNASO had a pH of 6.05 and a conductivityof 21.4 (microsiemens) cm-1. (sodium) e (chloride) were the most abundant ions in precipitation in bothlocations, having their origin strongly associated with sea spray. Significant correlations, enrichment factors, non-marine fractions and source fractio nation were performed to suggest the origin of the determined ionic species. The urban region of Gávea suffered a greater impact fro man thropogenic sources (52 percent), while the preserved region of PARNASO from natural sources (62 percent). The main trace elements were evaluated based on comparison with previous studies in the literature. (Tin) and (lead) have been linked to wear on vehicle components, fuel additives, and traffic. The increases in (iron), (nickel) and (zinc) in PARNASO suggested the contribution, respectively, of soil, liquid fuels/coal and geological plant materials/micronutrients. Thus, the effectiveness of rainwater as another tool for assessing air quality in a region was confirmed. Furthermore, it was proven, as expected, that pollution in Gávea was greater than in PARNASO.

Air pollution is a public health issue, and traffic is one of the main sources of pollutants such as NO2, PM10 and PM2.5. Consequently, European cities have been implementing low-emission zones (LEZs) by defining regulated areas, where the most-polluting vehicles are prohibited from driving. Such measure has been proven to mostly accelerate local fleet renewal rates, thus decreasing emissions and overall pollutant concentrations, provided that restrictions were strict enough. The 2019 mobility-orientation law in France made mandatory for some territories to set up action plans for tackling air pollution issues. With only four currently implemented LEZs in France, feedback from similar territories within the country may be lacking for decision-makers. The goal of this thesis was therefore to aggregate past experiences of already-implemented LEZs in Europe in order to provide recommendations for a large-scale implementation of such policy in France. Relevant city-specific indicators were identified, and K-Means clustering was implemented in order to classify European cities currently implementing LEZs. Such typology was applied to French territories that may face an obligation to implement a LEZ. Recommendations regarding the most relevant strategies were thus formulated. Four city archetypes were identified – public transport metropoles, cycling cities, car-oriented cities, and walkable-impoverished cities. LEZ strategies applied in Berlin, Brussels and Lisbon were respectively the identified best practices associated with the first three clusters. Moreover, out of the 263 French territories targeted in the mobility-orientation law, 54 of them were classified according to the developed typology. More specifically, the majority of them fell into the car-oriented archetype and 20 agglomerations could hence reasonably adapt the Lisbon strategy to their local specificities. Six territories at the outskirts of Paris, associated with public transport metropoles, could also investigate how the current Greater Paris LEZ affect their inhabitants. This thesis is the first to propose a typology tailored for LEZ evaluation. By incorporating modal shares within the classification indicators, potential synergies between LEZs and existing transportation networks were highlighted. Additionally, this thesis shows that future research should focus on investigating impacts of LEZs on traveling patterns and mode choices (vehicle purchases, modal shifts, etc.). This would help future ex-ante evaluations to better calibrate hypotheses regarding direct effects of LEZs.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Rise in air pollution resulting in negative health externalities for humans has created an urgent need for cities and communities to monitor it regularly. At present we have insufficient ground passive and active monitoring networks in place which presents a huge challenge. Satellite imagery has been used extensively for such analysis, but its resolution and methodology present other challenges in estimating pollution burden. The objective of this study was to propose three low-cost methods to fill in the gaps that exist currently. First, EPA grade sensors were used in 11 cities across the U.S. to examine NO2. This is a simplistic way to assess the burden of air pollution in a region. However, this technique cannot be applied to fine scale analysis, which resulted in the next two components of this research study. Second, a citizen science network was established on the east side of Indianapolis, IN who hosted 32 Ogawa passive sensors to examine NO2 and O3 at a finer scale. These low-cost passive sensors, not requiring power, and very little maintenance, have historically tracked very closely with Federal Reference Monitors. Third, a low-cost PurpleAir PA-II-SD active sensors measuring PM2.5 were housed with the citizen scientists identified above. This data was uploaded via Wi-Fi and available via a crowd sourced site established by PurpleAir. These data sets were analyzed to examine the burden of air pollution. The second and third research studies enabled granular analyses utilizing citizen science, tree canopy data, and traffic data, thus accommodating some of the present limitations. Advancement in low-cost sensor technology, along with ease of use and maintenance, presents an opportunity for not just communities, but cities to take charge of some of these analyses to help them examine health equity impacts on their citizens because of air pollution.

Introduction and Rationale: Household Air Pollution (HAP) refers to the pollution of air in the indoor environment, from the combustion of solid fuels such as biomass and coal. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.6 billion people today are exposed to HAP daily. Women and children tend to be at a higher risk of exposure due to their increased time spent indoors. This can result in a range of adverse cardio-respiratory outcomes such as asthma, Acute Lower Respiratory Infection (ALRI) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This thesis document investigates the association between HAP and the adverse respiratory outcomes, namely lung function, ALRI and asthma in children. Methodology: Systematic Reviews were conducted to synthesize the effect of HAP on lung function, ALRI, and asthma. The lung function outcome was synthesized in a narrative manner, while the pooled estimates for the ALRI and asthma outcomes were synthesized by meta-analysis. Results: Exposure to HAP is associated with decreased lung function growth, and an increased risk of the incidence of ALRI in children. No association was noted between HAP exposure and the incidence of asthma in children. Conclusion: The effect of HAP on childhood growth of lung function and the incidence of ALRI provides evidence justifying the universal transition to cleaner fuels and technologies, such as electricity and natural gas. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Household Air Pollution (HAP) refers to the pollution of indoor air caused by the combustion of solid fuels, such as biomass, for the purposes of heating and cooking. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2.6 billion people are exposed to HAP daily. Women and children are especially at high risk of exposure, due to the time spent indoors. This places them at a higher risk of adverse respiratory outcomes, such as Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (ALRI), asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and reduced lung function. This thesis document investigates the association between HAP and the adverse respiratory outcomes, namely lung function, ALRI and asthma in children. It was found that HAP is associated with a decrease in childhood lung function growth, and an increased risk of the incidence of ALRI. However, there was no clear association between the incidence of asthma and HAP. The results of the systematic reviews justify a transition from the use of solid fuels to clean fuels and technologies.

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