UB Citizens: Let’s get addicted to air quality data
A Project funded by: PEER
Christa Hasenkopf@UB_Air
https://www.facebook.com/UBAirQuality
Photo Credit: Lauren Knapp
A December 2011 morning in UB
What is PM?
Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve Research Camp, April 2005
DustVolcanoes
Mt. St. Helens, 1980
Combustion Sources
Bacteria
Bioaerosol
Fine Human Hair
PM comes in a range of sizes
PM10 (Diameter ≤ 10μm)
PM2.5 (Diameter ≤ 2.5μm)
~ 50 μm
PM and Health Effects
Very large > PM10
Coarse PM: PM2.5 < PM ≤ PM10
Fine PM: ≤ PM2.5
WHO estimates the total number of PM-related
deaths to be approximately 3.3 million/year world-wide.
More than malaria + AIDS, combined.
UB air pollution
From 2011 WHO Outdoor Air Pollution Database and Dec 2011 WB report: Air Quality Analysis of Ulaanbaatar
UB air pollution
From 2011 WHO Outdoor Air Pollution Database and Dec 2011 WB report: Air Quality Analysis of Ulaanbaatar
According to 2011 WHO Outdoor PM10 survey,
Ulaanbaatar is 2nd most PM10-polluted city in the world.
UB air pollution
From 2011 WHO Outdoor Air Pollution Database and Dec 2011 WB report: Air Quality Analysis of Ulaanbaatar
UB air pollution
From 2011 WHO Outdoor Air Pollution Database and Dec 2011 WB report: Air Quality Analysis of Ulaanbaatar
Annual average skewed by wintertime levels
Nishikawa et al. (2011)
DAILY WHO Recommended level
DAILY WHO Recommended level
On average, EVERY day in EVERY month except for 4
violate WHO Recommended PM levels.
Est. range of annual deaths in UB caused by PM (Allen et al., 2011 and World Bank 2011 ).
Human Impacts By the Numbers10-25%
$500 million
Est. annual amount (in USD) lost from UB economy due to PM - 20% of UB’s 2008 GDP (World Bank 2011).
My Research Questions:
What is UB PM made of?What are the major sources of UB PM?How does black carbon change with time?
How does UB PM affect regional climate?
PEER UB Air Pollution Team:
Dr. Dagva Shagjjamba
Ms. Gerelmaa Gunchin
Ms. Bulgansaikhan BaldorjMr. Amanjol
Ms. Delgerzul Lodoisamba
Kindergarten #69 Staff
Enkhiin SanaaFamily Hospital Staff
** However, the project I am about to describe is NOT FUNDED by NSF,
USAID, or Fulbright.
It is a public outreach initiative.
It and has been done on free time because we feel it is IMPORTANT.**
Sharing Air Quality Data (and basics) through Social Media
Public awareness MATTERS!
(1) ACCESS to timely AQ data can help the public make informed health decisions.
(2) ACCESS to the available AQ data and basics EMPOWERS UB’ers to focus more effort on air quality monitoring.
Mitigation measures are just half of the equation….
New Stoves
Ger Apts Alt. Fuels
Electric Stoves
Modifying Ignition
Long-term, successful pollution reduction is feedback cycle:
Mitigation Measures
Air quality monitoringAnd the public can influence strengthening
this cycle in UB!
Ulaanbaatar Air Qualityon Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/UBAirQuality
@UB_Air on twitter
UB Air Quality in Social Media
Tweet and Facebook post BREAKDOWN:Posts at 9 am, 2pm, and 7pm
Tweet and Facebook post BREAKDOWN:Posts at 9 am, 2pm, and 7pm
Have more questions? Tweet @UB_Air, check out
UBAirPollution.org, or post a question on the Facebook Page: “Ulaanbaatar Air Quality!”
Tweet and Facebook post BREAKDOWN:Posts at 9 am, 2pm, and 7pm
Simple Infographics
Interact with the public on air pollution issues
People ask questions
We share people getting involved in air pollution activities (like UBASC)
People share information
How the public access to data shapes air quality monitoring
PM10 PM2.5
= just 0.12% of Beijing’s population.
More transparent data
How the public access to data shapes UB air quality monitoring
Within 3 weeks of having these sites running and because of the show of public support:
- Received international and local media attention
- Learned of possible funding avenues for independent instrument
- Met with community leaders to discuss air quality
The PUBLIC has influenced this cycle!
Mitigation Measures
Air quality monitoringBut this needs to just be the beginning…
What can YOU do?
Tell your friends TODAY to get informed and involved. “Like”
‘https://www.facebook.com/UBAirQuality’ on FB and follow @UB_Air on twitter.