Integrated assessment of the spatial variability of ozone impacts from emissions of nitrogen oxides

摘要

This paper examines the ozone (O-3) damages caused by nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions in different locations around the Atlanta metropolitan area during a summer month. We calculate O-3 impacts using a new integrated assessment model that links pollution emissions to their chemical transformation, transport, population exposures, and effects on human health. We find that increased NOx emissions in rural areas around Atlanta increase human exposure to ambient O-3 twice as much as suburban emissions. However, increased NOx emissions in central city Atlanta actually reduce O-3 exposures. For downtown emissions, the reduction in human exposures to O-3 from titration by NO in the central city outweighs the effects from increased downwind O-3. The results indicate that the marginal damage from NOx emissions varies greatly across a metropolitan area. The results raise concerns if cap and trade regulations cause emissions to migrate toward higher marginal damage locations.