Project Title: Characterization of Ambient Particulate Matter in the Paso del Norte Region(Paso del Norte Air Research Program)

SCERP Project Number: D-2

Principal Investigator: Bob Currey

Task Manager's affiliation: University of Texas at El Paso

Goal: This project represents a cooperative effort among six universities, several local and state authorities, and federal government agencies to address air pollution problems in the El Paso-Juarez border region through a coordinated effort by researchers on both sides of the border. The goal is to characterize the ambient PM2.5 concentrations and to prioritize the sources of emissions in the region through chemical mass balance or other receptor modeling analyses. The benefits that will accrue from identifying and controlling the dominant sources of particulate air pollutants include improved visibility, reduction in mortality due to the decreased concentration of fine particles, and decreased morbidity due to decreased concentrations of particle-borne hazardous air pollutants.

To achieve its goal, this project focuses on result-oriented research that could yield recommendations or solutions to border air pollution problems. Four objectives have been identified:

1. Characterize the nature of particulate matter, both PM2.5 and PM10, within the basin. Determine the organic and inorganic contents, spatial and temporal distributions and chemical composition of the PM concentrations.

2. Conduct and support activities to develop and/or refine PM emissions inventories in the air basin. Determine the fingerprints of PM sources.

3. Conduct PM chemical mass balance/receptor modeling. Identify the sources of emissions and their relative strengths.

4. Establish a regional information center or clearinghouse to coordinate other monitoring and research activities within the air basin. Improve coordination and sharing of data among other programs.

Project is ongoing.

Last updated 5/6/99