PM_2.5-related health impacts of utilizing ammonia-hydrogen energy in Kanto Region, Japan

Abstract

Health impacts of utilizing ammonia as chemical carrier were investigated.

Influenced by ammonia emissions, PM_2.5 increased 11.7% in winter and 3.5% in summer.

PM_2.5-related premature deaths turned to be 351 per year.

Ammonia has emerged as a promising hydrogen carrier with applications as an energy source in recent years. However, in addition to being toxic, gaseous ammonia is a precursor of secondary inorganic aerosols. The concentration of ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is intrinsically connected to public health. In this study, PM_2.5-related health impacts of utilizing ammonia-hydrogen energy in Kanto Region, Japan, were investigated. It was assumed that 20% of the electricity consumption in Kanto Region, the most populated area in Japan, was supplied by ammonia-hydrogen energy. The PM_2.5 resulted from incomplete ammonia decomposition was simulated by a chemical transport model: ADMER-PRO (modified version). Based on the incremental PM_2.5 concentration, health impacts on the elderly (individuals over 65 years old) were quantitatively evaluated. The ammonia emission in this scenario increased PM_2.5 by 11.7% (0.16 μg·m^–3·y^–1) in winter and 3.5% (0.08 μg·m^–3·y^–1) in summer, resulting in 351 premature deaths per year. This study suggests that cost-effective emissions control or treatment and appropriate land planning should be considered to reduce the associated health impacts of this type of energy generation. In addition, further in-depth research, including cost-benefit analysis and security standards, is needed.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Ammonia emissions / Energy carrier / Hydrogen energy / Fine particulate matters / Atmospheric modeling / Premature death

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