July 1, 2008 by Chinatown Blogger.

Lead researcher Christine Ash (left) and Tufts University Medical School Professor Doug Brugge (right).

Updated: 7/3/08 (Added more observations)

Tufts University’s Civil and Environmental Engineering in collaboration with Tufts University Medical School, Mystic View Task Force, Aerodyne Research, Inc., and Montana State University of Chemistry and Biochemistry presented their report today titled “Spatial and temporal distribution of ultrafine particulate matter and other air pollutants throughout the morning near a major highway.” This report is relevant to Chinatown because 2 major highways (I-93 and I-90) border the neighborhood. Tufts University recently received a grant to conduct furhter studies of highway pollutants on Chinatown and Somerville.

Ash introduced how adverse health effects linked to automobile exhaust pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides can lead to reduced lung function, asthma and cardiovascular disease. Populations living near the vicinity of major highways may be at risk to high levels of pollutants. The purpose of the study was to: “determine the extent to which UFP and gaseous pollutant gradients vary in space and time near a major highway.”

The study measured ultrafine particulate matter (UFP), total particle number concentration, carbon monoxide, carbone dioxide, nitrous oxides, ozone and aromatic hydrocarbons. The study area was the Ten Hills neighborhood in Somerville, MA near I-93. Ten Hills is a densely settled residential neighborhood and approximately 25m to 400m away from the highway.

The researchers drove a mobile air monitoring laboratory van outfitted with equipment to measure wind, temperature, and pollutants. The study was conducted on January 16 between the hours of 6AM-11AM with the van being driven on the side streets adjacent to the highway. Test results were influenced by distance (spatial) from the highway, time of day, temperature and wind direction.

Without giving the whole report away, the study concluded that pollutant levels were highly affected by wind and temperature changes. Proximity to the highways generally resulted in higher concentrations of UFP and pollutants. The significance of this report was summarized by Ms. Ash: “One of the first study on automobile exhaust pollution gradients in the Northeastern United States…. with detailed measurements of changes in pollutants levels throughout the morning… and detailed measurements of changs in pollutant levels on relatively small spatial scale.” Previous reports highway pollutants were based on West Coast findings.

Audience members asked questions and some praised the report. A Tufts University faculty member questioned the results on why during the hours of 6AM-7AM (pre-peak rush hour) there were higher concentration of pollutants as opposed to the hours of 8AM-9AM and wondered if this may be due to higher number of diesel trucks during those times? Other questions included such as if the tests were done during the summer months as opposed to winter (Jan. 16), would the test results be the same or different?

One problematic conclusion the research reported was that the volume of vehicles was not a major factor in the amount of pollutants present and claimed that wind and temperature were bigger factors. Audience members questioned the data collection process for counting vehicles and if the methodology was flawed. The Chinatown Blogger pointed out the absurdity of the claim that the volume of vehicles had no significant impact on the amount of pollutants. A developed building a hypothetical 1,000 car-garage in the future can point to the report and say: “A 1,000 car garage will not generate more pollution because pollution is largely affected by wind and temperature…”

A follow-up conversation with Professor Brugge clarified the question: that due to the limited scope of the research which only covered from 6AM-11AM, measuring changes in the volume of vehicles in a major highway from say 7,000 per hour to 8,000 per hour will not yield significant differences. Whereas if the study had compared to 500 vehicles vs. 8,000 vehicles this would show significant changes.

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July 1, 2008 by Chinatown Blogger.

(Boston Globe. Photograph by Tim Llewellyn)

The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine published an article on the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s Chief Planner, Kairos Shen, who also happens to be a Chinatown resident. The Globe reports on Shen’s immigrant background, his career at the BRA, and insights on dealing with the City’s development.

The Shaper of Things to Come, Boston Globe Sunday Magazine Article

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