Air Quality and Characteristic Community Parameters

Abstract

Statistical correlations between all pairs of 16 selected air quality measurements and 13 selected community parameters for 66 standard metropolitan statistical areas have been calculated, tested for significance, and reviewed for meaningful relationships. Some of the more meaningful relationships are presented in this paper. Of special interest are the correlations between the sulfate fraction of suspended particulate matter and the use of sulfur-containing fuels (r = 0.66), between ambient sulfur dioxide and the use of sulfur-containing fuels (r = 0.85), between the lead fraction of suspended particulates and annual purchases of gasoline (r = 0.71), and between vanadium in suspended particulates and the percent residual fuel oil used in a community (r = 0.69). Several of these relationships are given more definitive description with mathematical equations that describe how the ambient pollutant concentration varies as a function of a related community parameter. The geographic distribution of high and low pollutant levels is also discussed.