Engineered Solutions for Air Purification: History
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Contributor:
Andrii Biloshchytskyi
,
Oleksandr Kuchanskyi
,
Yurii Andrashko
,
Didar Yedilkhan
,
Alexandr Neftissov
,
Svitlana Biloshchytska
,
Beibut Amirgaliyev
,
Vladimir Vatskel

Air pollution problem is particularly acute in large cities. This is especially true in those with active industrial facilities or with specific geographical locations that complicate natural air purification. Air pollution not only affects people’s health but also significantly worsens overall quality of life. There are significant health effects associated with both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution. Consequently, air quality monitoring and the implementation of engineered solutions for air purification are essential tasks in the field of urban science.

  • biotechnological filter
  • moss
  • air pollution
  • smart city

1. Introduction

The problem of air pollution is one of the primary issues posing a severe threat to the health of millions of people. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that more than 7 million deaths were annually caused by air pollution [1]. The air pollution problem is particularly acute in large cities. This is especially true in those with active industrial facilities or with specific geographical locations that complicate natural air purification. Air pollution not only affects people’s health but also significantly worsens overall quality of life. Both natural and anthropogenic air pollutants can spread over considerable distances and cover large areas via wet and dry precipitation. This poses a severe risk to human health as these pollutants can be inhaled or enter the food chain. There are significant health effects associated with both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution. Consequently, air quality monitoring and the implementation of engineered solutions for air purification are essential tasks in the field of urban science.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee for the Sustainable Development of Communities has developed a new series of international standards to enable an integrated approach to sustainable development [2]. The ISO 37120:2018 [3] (second edition: 2018; first edition: 2014) includes many factors influencing quality of life such as economic factors, education, energy, urban planning, etc. These factors make it possible to measure quality of life, establish the efficiency of city services, and ensure effective urban planning for rapidly growing cities. Research [4] based on the ISO 37120:2018 standard has developed seven dimensions for evaluating urban quality of life. These included urban services, economy, culture and recreation, urban mobility, conviviality, security, and environmental comfort. The latter included noise and air pollution, climate comfort, cleanliness, and wastewater.
In large cities with well-developed transportation infrastructure, the issue of air pollution remains highly relevant. The development of engineering solutions to address this problem is directed towards enhancing the city’s sustainability amidst rapid population growth, improving the ecological conditions within the urban environment, and enhancing overall quality of life. The establishment of systematic approaches in order to monitor air pollution levels and formulate long-term strategies for the purpose of enhancing air quality are imperative objectives in urban development. Achieving success in these tasks would result in decreased health risks for citizens, subsequently leading to reduced burdens on city and state budgets from medical care expenses.
The dispersion of different air pollutants follows a non-linear pattern, with concentrations varying across different regions. Consequently, it has become crucial to forecast fluctuations in air pollutant levels and devise engineering solutions to address this challenge. The issue of air pollution holds particular significance for prominent cities and their rapidly expanding agglomerations.

2. Air Purification Solutions

Air pollution presents a multifaceted and intricate challenge, demanding comprehensive solutions. It is imperative that researchers adopt a multifaceted approach incorporating the monitoring and forecasting of air pollution levels across different areas of cities. This would facilitate the analysis of pollution sources and enable policymakers to propose corrective actions to local authorities. The establishment of air quality standards and systematic assessment and management measures are simultaneously vital components of an effective solution. The development of a long-term strategy for ensuring citywide air quality is an integral part of urban science. Large cities, characterized by dense populations and increased health risks, face particularly acute air pollution issues. Currently, more than 50% of the global population resides in urban areas. A noteworthy study [5] explored the correlation between air pollution and the risk of emergency care for young children with asthma. Such research has emphasized the critical nature of air purification efforts in ensuring the high quality and safety of people’s lives.
A current trend in addressing air purification challenges involves the development of biotechnological filter systems that utilize specific plant crops to remove pollutants while releasing oxygen. This approach has gained traction, with relevant projects securing government funding in countries such as Great Britain, Germany, Portugal, and the Republic of Kazakhstan [6]. These filters offer the advantage of flexibility in placement, as they can be deployed in various locations within a city. However, their cost remains a hindrance, and they are yet to be mass-produced. Consequently, it has become crucial to judiciously employ these filters, situating them solely in areas where their use is warranted. In [7], a model was constructed to identify the optimal placement of biotechnological filter systems for air purification by addressing the discrete optimization problem. This model provided forecasts of the air quality index for a specific region, ensuring the efficient deployment of these biotechnological systems to improve air quality.
Various engineering solutions are being developed for this purpose. For example, the concept of the CityTree vertical plant filter was described in [8]. This comprises a vertical plant structure that not only cleans the air but also cools the environment, retains water, and reduces noise. According to the findings in [6], the innovative CityTree device effectively reduced air pollution from harmful solid particles and gases, including NO2 and CO2. Remarkably, one such device can replace the equivalent of 275 trees, while requiring minimal urban area for placement. However, the application of such filters in the conditions of Kazakhstan poses challenges due to its predominantly continental climate zone. Astana, in particular, globally ranks as the second coldest capital city. The utilization of open purification biotechnological filters in these conditions has proved ineffective as plants require the maintenance of stable temperatures and humidity throughout the growing season.
Moss is an intriguing plant known for its capacity to achieve a high level of air purification, particularly under conditions of stable temperature and humidity. Previous research [9] outlined a moss biomonitoring method utilizing three moss types: Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum fallax, and Dicranum polysetum. This method involved measuring the concentration of analytes (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb) accumulated within the total suspended particulate matter collected from dust collector filters in Opole (Opole Voivodeship, Poland). Engineering solutions for developing a moss-based air purification system have been described in other studies [10] that have detailed a biotechnological prototype capable of exercising automated control over moss growth and productivity. Consequently, stable air purification efficiency can be ensured once the filter is installed. However, if researchers are to evaluate a filter’s effectiveness, it is necessary to collect enough data from air-quality-monitoring sensors both before and after the filter’s installation, while also accounting for the costs of ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the filter and other relevant factors.
An essential component of the filter’s effective operation is the provision of constant air quality monitoring. As demonstrated in the study [11], air pollutants in a city exhibited uneven distribution in both space and time. Consequently, certain regions experience the regular exceedance of permissible pollutant concentrations, posing health risks to city dwellers. In [12], researchers constructed a multi-criteria model for the optimal placement of green areas in the city based on demographic indicators. However, this model did not account for the dynamics of city development. In contrast, the study [13] formulated a multi-criteria placement optimization model aimed at maximizing air purification while minimizing the heating of street surfaces. This proposed model enabled the selection of the most suitable option from the predefined plans for green areas. The outcomes of solving these problems can contribute to the optimal placement of biotechnological filters throughout a city.
The city of Astana, which serves as the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan, sustains a population of over 1.3 million individuals. As of 2023, it is expected to maintain a moderate level of air quality, as denoted by an AQI (Air Quality Index) score of 53. During the period from 14 June to 14 July 2023, an average AQI score of 39 was recorded [14], aligning with the latest WHO air quality guidelines [15]. The principal sources of urban air pollution in Astana encompass stationary thermal power plants, boiler houses, vehicular emissions, construction sites, production facilities, cement, and asphalt factories. Past data indicated a declining trend in pollutants emanating from stationary sources in the city [16]. However, this trend remains vulnerable to rapid changes due to the city’s burgeoning growth, the continuous increase in the number of vehicles, and the presence and use of older car models, the emissions of which surpass acceptable environmental safety levels. Furthermore, the air quality in Astana experiences significant deterioration when the air temperature drops. This is particularly true during the onset of winter and periods of low wind speed, as these conditions foster the accumulation of small polluting particles.
The tendency towards air quality deterioration is a recurring issue observed in certain regions of Kazakhstan, notably in the largest city, Almaty, situated in the southern part of the country. Almaty exhibits PM2.5 concentration levels 1.5 times higher than those specified by the WHO’s annual air quality guideline value [17], which can largely be attributed to the city’s specific geographical location. Resolving this complex environmental situation necessitates engineering solutions, particularly the development of specialized filters designed to enhance air quality.
To address air quality concerns, Kazakhstan has implemented systemic measures at both the state and local levels. For instance, in accordance with the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Republic of Kazakhstan aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45 percent by 2030 and to achieve zero emissions by 2050. As part of this commitment, Astana plans to gradually replace all public transportation with electric buses. Additionally, efforts have been made to restrict large-sized vehicles and heavy-duty equipment in the central part of the city, alongside the establishment of a transparent permit system. Moreover, periodic inspections ensure compliance with environmental requirements when using vehicles. As a pressing objective, the development of a biotechnological filter specifically tailored to effectively purifying the air in a particular region is underway. A key aspect of the research involves evaluating the efficiency of such filters in removing specific pollutants from the air.

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/urbansci7040104

References

  1. WHO. Billions of People Still Breathe Unhealthy Air: New WHO Data. 2022. Available online: https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2022-billions-of-people-still-breathe-unhealthy-air-new-who-data (accessed on 10 July 2023).
  2. UN-Habitat. World Cities Report 2016—Urbanization and Development: Emerging Futures. Available online: https://unhabitat.org/world-cities-report-2016 (accessed on 19 July 2023).
  3. ISO 37120:2018; Sustainable Cities and Communities—Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life. International Organization for Standardization (ISO): Geneva, Switzerland, 2018. Available online: https://www.iso.org/standard/68498.html (accessed on 19 July 2023).
  4. Wesz, J.G.B.; Miron, L.I.G.; Delsante, I.; Tzortzopoulos, P. Urban Quality of Life: A Systematic Literature Review. Urban Sci. 2023, 7, 56.
  5. To, T.; Zhu, J.; Terebessy, E.; Zhang, K.; Fong, I.; Pinault, L.; Jerrett, M.; Robichaud, A.; Ménard, R.; van Donkelaar, A.; et al. Does exposure to air pollution increase the risk of acute care in young children with asthma? An Ontario, Canada study. Environ. Res. 2021, 199, 111302.
  6. Green City Solutions. CityTree: A Pollution Absorbing Innovation with the Power of 275 Trees. Available online: https://urbannext.net/citytree/ (accessed on 19 July 2023).
  7. Biloshchytskyi, A.; Kuchansky, A.; Andrashko, Y.; Neftissov, A.; Vatskel, V.; Yedilkhan, D.; Herych, M. Building a model for choosing a strategy for reducing air pollution based on data predictive analysis. East.-Eur. J. Enterp. Technol. 2022, 117, 23–30.
  8. Saenger, P.; Splittgerber, V. The CityTree: A Vertical Plant Filter for Enhanced Temperature Management. In Innovation in Climate Change Adaptation, (Climate Change Management Book Series (CCM)); Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2016; pp. 75–86.
  9. Swisłowski, P.; Nowak, A.; Wacławek, S.; Ziembik, Z.; Rajfur, M. Is Active Moss Biomonitoring Comparable to Air Filter Standard Sampling? Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2022, 19, 4706.
  10. Kusdavletov, S.; Sapargali, A.; Yedilkhan, D.; Yermekov, A. Moss-Based Biotechnological Air Purification Control System. In Proceedings of the 2022 International Conference on Electrical and Computing Technologies and Applications (ICECTA), Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 23–25 November 2022; pp. 343–346.
  11. Ung, A.; Wald, L.; Ranchin, T.; Weber, C.; Hirsch, J.; Perron, G.; Kleinpeter, J. Satellite data for the air pollution mapping over a city—The use of virtual stations. In Observing Our Environment from Space: New Solutions for a New Millenium, Proceedings of the 21st EARSeL Symposium, Paris, France, 14–16 May 2001; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2002; pp. 147–151.
  12. Nyelele, C.; Kroll, C.N. A multi-objective decision support framework to prioritize tree planting locations in urban areas. Landsc. Urban Plan. 2021, 214, 104172.
  13. Yoon, E.J.; Kim, B.; Lee, D.K. Multi-objective planning model for urban greening based on optimization algorithms. Urban For. Urban Green. 2019, 40, 183–194.
  14. IQAir. Air Quality in Astana. Available online: https://www.iqair.com/us/kazakhstan/astana (accessed on 19 July 2023).
  15. IQAir. New WHO Air Quality Guidelines Will Save Lives. Available online: https://www.iqair.com/us/newsroom/2021-WHO-air-quality-guidelines (accessed on 19 July 2023).
  16. Kerimray, A.; Bakdolotov, A.; Sarbassov, Y.; Inglezakis, V.; Poulopoulos, S. Air pollution in Astana: Analysis of recent trends and air quality monitoring system. Mater. Today Proc. 2018, 5, 22749–22758.
  17. IQAir. Air Quality in Almaty. Available online: https://www.iqair.com/us/kazakhstan/almaty-qalasy/almaty (accessed on 19 July 2023).
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