Assessing Pollution Reduction from Adaptive Re-use of a Cleveland Commercial Building Taylor Pfeffenberger Master of Architecture Student, Kent State University
Adil Sharag-Eldin Professor, Kent State University ABSTRACT: In the field of design, it is reasonably accepted that adaptive re-use is good for the environment for many reasons, including the reduction of pollution. The extent to which pollution is reduced by adaptive re-use is vague. Through analysis of the data provided by the EPA, we will determine how much pollution of particle matter 2.5 could be avoided through an adaptive re-use design. Pollution in the outdoor air is greater after a building has been demolished. Re-using an existing building will reduce air pollution, and reduce damage to the environment. Designers, developers, and environmentalists should consider this increase in pollution when deciding whether to adaptively re-use an existing building or to demolish and construct new. Image 1 (WKYC, 2014)
1 INTRODUCTION: 1.1 Literature Review There are many types of pollution: carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, particulates, and more. Different types of pollution are measured in different units. Even when they are converted, so that they can be compared, each study compares them in different ways. It is difficult to understand the magnitude of pollution when there is no commonly excepted way to compare these values. In addition, these numbers mean very little to most of the population. Relaying these numbers will not impact most readers to have an opinion on whether or not to reduce the pollution caused
by demolition and construction. The issue is how to inform the design and construction industry of the magnitude of impact that pollution from demolition and construction has. This information could be better understood with diagrams or the effects caused from the amount of pollution. Other researchers have analyzed different materials and the carbon emission from producing different building assemblies. One article used these numbers and compared them to national standards while others used case studies to analyze the embodied energy of these materials during transportation and construction, (Cole and Rousseau, 1992; Cole, 1998). Some articles discuss the effect of particle matter from demolition on asthmatics, while others discussed the effects on pa-
tients of hospitals, (Dorevitch et al., 2006; Hansen et al., 2008). This study will be based around a case study, because it gives an accurate scale to compare the situations we are studying. However, we will not be using people to study the effects of pollution, because the goal of the study is to determine the effects on the environment, the effects on people in this scenario are indirect. The EPA provides pollution quantities daily from specific locations. I will be using these numbers to find overall pollution quantities rather than breaking down what amount of pollution is coming from which parts of the building. My objective is to determine whether demolition and reconstruction should be avoided where an existing building can be re-used, a material break down would not significantly assist this study. 1.2 Dust Control Measures The top used tactic to dust management is a contractor using a fire hose attached to a local hydrant to spray the source of the demolition activities. This method is a commonly required method. It requires a lot of man hours and local resources to be used. Therefore, it is only used some of the time to minimize water runoff. This method is not affective (reference figure 1).
ides of nitrogen (NOx) in sunlight. Nitrogen oxides are commonly caused by vehicle exhaust or gasoline. Most odors are a sign of VOCs. This chemical reaction hinders the communication between vegetation and can cause harm to an ecosystem. Inhaling ozone is dangerous for children, elderly, or people with lung health issues. Ozone is less of a result for demolition, but can still be higher on a demolition site from the use of machinery, (US EPA, Ozone Pollution). Carbon monoxide is as gas that reduces ability for people to receive the oxygen their organs need. The largest cause of this type of pollution is from vehicles. This has a similar likelihood of being on a demolition site as ozone, (US EPA, Carbon Monoxide). Sulfur oxide is the emission from fossil fuels and is most commonly caused by power plants. Sulfur oxide harms the respiratory system. This is much less likely to be on a demolition site as particulate matter. Particulate matter is the most likely pollution type to be a result of demolition, (US EPA, Sulfur Dioxide) 2 OBJECTIVE:
1.3 Pollution Types This study looks at Particulate Matter 2.5, Particle Matter 10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, and Sulfur Dioxide. Particulate matter is made when fine particles of metals, soils, dust, and chemicals among other things, are combined with a liquid. The number associated with it defines the diameter of the particles in micrometers. Particulate matter 2.5 is commonly found in smoke or haze, while particle matter 10 is commonly found on the road or dusty areas. Any particle matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter is dangerous to breathe in. Smaller particles are easier to inhale. Therefore, particle matter 2.5 is more dangerous to breathing than particle matter 10. Particulate matter is a common result of demolition, (US EPA, Particulate Matter). Ozone is created from a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ox-
To determine if the pollution from demolition of a Cleveland commercial building is a noticeable addition to measurable pollution in the outdoor air. 3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Does pollution from demolition increase the air quality index of nearby areas? Does pollution from construction increase the air quality index of nearby areas? What direction does the air move in Cleveland? How far does the pollution reach? How long does this pollution stay in the area? How can pollution levels be compared? Are these pollution levels dangerous or unhealthy?
Image 2 (Dealer, 2014)
4.4 Analyze Analyze this for different pollution types, and for construction and demolition, and building adaption. Image 3
4 METHOD 4.1 Wind Data Use the wind data from Climate Consultant- Location Burke Lakefront (black dot on Image 4) to determine how wind could be moving the pollution in the outdoor air. (See Image 3) 4.2 EPA Pollution Data Then use the data from the EPA’s designated location- Intersection of 14th and Orange (purple dot on Image 4) and determine when the pollution amount goes up or down. 4.3 Nearby Causes Find if there is any nearby construction or demolition during those time periods that could be the cause of the spikes in air pollution. Use the agendas from the Cleveland City Planning Commission board of zoning appeals meetings during 2013 and 2014 to find construction and demolition projects.
5 RESULTS 5.1 Locations The wind patterns in Cleveland appear to come from the southwest more often than other directions. Two locations on the west side of the data collection point and within a one mile radius had demolition activity during 2014. The first location, southwest of 14th and Orange, is the Innerbelt bridge (green dot in Image 4), which was demolished July 12th of 2014. Image 1 is of the Innerbelt Bridge being demolished with explosives. The majority of the bridge was demolished on one day, but some remaining structure was demolished through August. Image 1 gives an idea of the inability to control the smoke plume of particulate matter. On July 12th, 2014, the AIQ, shown in Image 5, was up to 76, and remained high the couple days following, (WKYC, 2014). The second location, on 1219 Ontario St. (teal dot in Image 4), is northwest of the data location and contained demolition between January 27th and March 7th of 2014. This location was a four story administration building. In its place, a taller hotel
and convention center is being built. Some materials were saved, but no one would pay to have them transported off the property. (Cuyahoga County Headquarters, 2013). These two locations are called out by a red line on Image 5.
Image 4
5.2 Analysis of Different Pollution Types The EQA provided data provided the air quality index for each day during 2014. The air quality index (AQI) for Ozone was slightly higher during these demolition periods. Particle matter 10, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide did not have a noticeably higher AQI during any defined times of the year. Particle matter 2.5 did have a noticeably higher AQI in the month of February. Particle matter 2.5 also had a higher AQI on July 12th, and the day following. In Image 4, the AQI is color coded to easily see patterns of the high and low values.
Image 5 (Particle Matter 2.5 AQI) (US EPA, AirData website Interactive Map page)
6 CONCLUSION The chart in image 6 displays the risk of these levels. During periods without nearby demolition, the air quality index was commonly between 0 and 50 which is a satisfactory level causing little to no concern to people and the environment. During periods with demolition, the air quality index rose to between 51 and 100 commonly. That range is moderate, acceptable, but not ideal. None of the collected data signified an immediately risk to most human health, but they could be dangerous to people in the area and it is not recommended that an urban environment have these higher levels of pollution.
As expected, particle matter 2.5 was the pollution type of concern in the measured area. The air quality index during periods of demolition was high for particle matter 2.5. Demolition has impacted the outdoor air for a short period of time by increasing the measurable amount of particle matter in the air causing a temporary health concern for people with sensitive lung health. When possible, adaptively re-using a building as an alternative option to demolishing and reconstructing, will reduce particulate matter pollution, and keep the air quality at a healthy level. Adaptive re-use is an advantageous design solution that should be considered by people in the design and development professions.
Image 6 (Air Now, 2016) Air Quality Index levels Numerical of Health Concern Value
Meaning
Good
0 to 50
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Moderate
51 to 100
Air quality is acceptable: however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
101 to 150
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Unhealthy
151 to 200
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Unhealthy
201 to 300
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Hazardous
301 to 500
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.
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