Pollutant Good Practice Statements
BC/EC
Make systematic measurements of black carbon and/or elemental carbon. Such measurements should not replace or reduce the existing monitoring of pollutants for which guidelines currently exist. Undertake the production of emission inventories, exposure assessments and source apportionment for BC/EC. Take measures to reduce BC/EC emissions from within the relevant jurisdiction and, where considered appropriate, develop standards (or targets) for ambient BC/EC concentrations.
UFP
Quantify ambient UFP in terms of particle number concentration (PNC) for a size range with a lower limit of ≤ 10 nm and no restriction on the upper limit. Expand the common air quality monitoring strategy by integrating UFP monitoring into the existing air quality monitoring. Include size-segregated real-time PNC measurements at selected air monitoring stations in addition to and simultaneously with other airborne pollutants and characteristics of PM. Distinguish between low and high PNC to guide decisions on the priorities of UFP source emission control. Low PNC can be considered 10 000 particles/cm3 (24-hour mean) or 20 000 particles/cm3 (1-hour mean). Utilize emerging science and technology to advance approaches to the assessment of exposure to UFP for their application in epidemiological studies and UFP management.
SDS
Maintain appropriate air quality management and dust forecasting programs. These should include early warning systems and short-term air pollution action plans to alert the population to stay indoors and take personal measures to minimize exposure and subsequent short-term health effects during SDS incidents with high levels of PM. Maintain suitable air quality monitoring programs and reporting procedures, including source apportionment activities to quantify and characterize PM composition and the percentage contribution of SDS to the overall ambient concentration of PM. This will enable local authorities to target local PM emissions from anthropogenic and natural sources for reduction. Conduct epidemiological studies, including those addressing the long-term effects of SDS, and research activities aimed at better understanding the toxicity of the different types of PM. Such studies are especially recommended for areas where there is a lack of sufficient knowledge and information about the health risk due to frequent exposure to SDS. Implement wind erosion control through the carefully planned expansion of green spaces that considers and is adjusted to the contextual ecosystem conditions. This calls for regional collaboration among countries in the regions affected by SDS to combat desertification and carefully manage green areas. Clean the streets in those urban areas characterized by a relatively high population density and low rainfall to prevent resuspension by road traffic as a short-term measure after intense SDS episodes with high dust deposition rates.