CSU professor contributes to international report on air pollution

Sonia Kreidenweis, a professor in CSU's internationally recognized Department of Atmospheric Science

A Colorado State University professor is one of only 15 U.S. researchers to contribute to a National Academy of Sciences report on the international transport of air pollutants.

Sonia Kreidenweis, a professor in CSU’s internationally recognized Department of Atmospheric Science, served as lead author for the chapter on long-range transport of particulate matter, which addresses four air pollutants: ozone; particulate matter such as dust, sulfates, or soot; mercury; and persistent organic pollutants such as DDT.

At Colorado State, Kreidenweis researches the behavior of atmospheric particulate matter, its effects on climate and visibility, and the relationships between particles and haze and cloud formation, which can affect air quality and precipitation.

Plumes of harmful air pollutants can have a negative impact on air quality far from their original sources, Kreidenweis' committee found. The scientists recommend that the United States, working in tandem with the international community, begin tracking and modeling sources of air pollution to develop appropriate solutions.

"[A]mple evidence from satellite, ground-based, and aircraft observations now exists to show that particulate matter can undergo long-range transport to and from the United States across large ocean regions and can even be readily detected in Colorado in extreme events, such as dust storms and large wildfires," says Kreidenweis.

It is difficult to estimate how much transported particulate matter reaches the surface to affect human health, cautions Kreidenweis. The committee recommends applying new methods for quantifying particulate matter transport — including increased use of space-based observations — to fill information gaps.

Air pollution is an equal opportunity contaminator, says Charles Kolb, chief executive officer of Aerodyne Research Inc. and committee chair for the National Academy of Sciences report on international transport of air pollutants.

"Emissions within any one country can affect human and ecosystem health in countries far downwind," says Kolb. "While it is difficult to quantify these influences, in some cases the impacts are significant from regulatory and public health perspectives."