Methodology in Air-Pollution
J. E. YOCOM
Project Leader
Fuels and Air Pollution Division
Battelle Memorial Institute
Columbus, Ohio
The success of any research program depends to a large extent on
the thoroughness of the planning stages of the program. This is particularly true in designing an area air-pollution study, since such studies
are rendered difficult by the large number of variables which control
the extent of the problem. This paper is a condensation of a detailed
outline used as a guide for setting up air-pollution projects at Battelle.
It is being presented in the broadest possible sense, and in preparing for
some programs of limited scope, much of the material would therefore
not be considered. In general, this paper will cover the setting up of a
large-scale area air-pollution study which involves a diverse industrial
area and a nearby residential community. The health aspects of air
pollution will be mentioned from time to time; however, they will not
be stressed. It is assumed that atmospheric pollution is undesirable from
the standpoint of nuisance alone.
THE COLLECTION OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The logical first step in studying a given area air-pollution problem
is to gather as much background information on the problem as possible.
Only in this way can an intelligent organization of the subsequent phases
of the program be made. This phase of the program should be designed
to define the problem in areas, such as the nature of the pollutants both
chemical and by their effects on humans, the effects of weather and
topography on the problem, and the locations of sources of pollutants
and the areas most affected. There are numerous sources for this
background information.
If the problem is situated in a city of sufficient size, air-pollution
control officials may be on hand. They are usually reliable and reasonably unbiased sources of background information. Engineering personnel
of the industrial plants involved are also sources of this kind of information. It is important to develop the confidence of these people, since
it will be necessary to contact them frequently as the program progresses.
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