The hidden culprit behind nitrogen dioxide emissions

Nitrogen dioxide is one of the criteria air pollutants that plays an important role as a precursor gas of fine particulate matter and ozone. NO₂ emissions are known to be primarily generated by industrial facilities or vehicle exhausts. Recently, a research team from POSTECH analyzed satellite remote sensing data from the European Space Agency (ESA) and released results showing that food processing facilities and high-rise apartments that are 10 stories or higher are significant sources of NO₂ emissions. Their findings have drawn attention from NASA.

A POSTECH research team led by Professor Hyung Joo Lee used the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), an instrument on an Earth observation satellite that can monitor atmospheric composition, to analyze NO₂ emissions from various types of properties in California. Their analysis suggests that NO₂ emissions were highest at food processing facilities and residential complexes with high population density.   

The team estimated average NO₂ concentrations at the spatial resolution of 500 m in California between 2018 and 2019 and assessed whether NO₂ concentrations measured at ground monitors were representative of population exposures to NO₂ in each county. They also evaluated which property types showed the highest NO₂ emissions and therefore exposures. Their assessment revealed that the highest NO₂ exposures were attributed to food processing facilities and high-rise apartments that are 10 stories or higher. The same results were obtained when traffic was taken into consideration.

Such high residential emissions are presumed to be attributed to combustion sources within the apartments, such as water boilers, space heaters, and other indoor-generated emissions vented outdoors. Residential combustion sources have not been considered significant sources of air pollution in previous research.

POSTECH Professor Hyung Joo Lee explained, “Highly populated residential areas, specifically high-rise apartments, have not been extensively studied. However, the research indicates that these areas should be regarded as crucial contributors to NO₂ emissions in the formulation of environmental policies.”

He emphasized the significance of the research by stating, “The research demonstrates that satellite remote sensing can be effectively used to inform air quality management.”

The research was published in Science of the Total Environment, one of the most prestigious environmental journals, and was introduced in NASA Earth Observatory.