THE CHARACTERIZATION OF OZONE AND SULFUR-DIOXIDE AIR-QUALITY DATA FOR ASSESSING POSSIBLE VEGETATION EFFECTS

Since the 1960s, much effort has been devoted to collecting and formatting air quality data. This paper discusses (1) the availability of air quality data for assessing potential biological impacts associated with ozone and sulfur dioxide ambient exposures, (2) examples of how air quality data can be characterized for assessing vegetation effects, and (3) the limitations associated with some exposure parameters used for developing relevant vegetation dose-response yield reduction models. Data are presented showing that some ozone monitoring sites not continuously affected by local urban sources experience consecutive hourly ozone exposures greater than equivalent to 0. 10 ppm in the late evening and early morning hours. It is suggested that further research be performed to identify whether the sensitivity of a target organism at the time of exposure, as well as the pollutant concentration and chemical form that enters into the target organism, is as important in defining effects as air pollutant exposure alone.