Air Quality in the Danube macro-region: Towards a coordinated science-based approach in support of policy development

A study on selected EU cities of the Danube macro-region concludes that energy production/industry, agriculture, residential heating and transportation are the main pollution sources. Long –range transport of pollutants from within and outside EU-28 has considerable impacts in certain cities while in others local emissions are the key to reduce urban pollution. Measures to be adopted at different policy levels to address the identified issues are analysed and the cross-policy implications are discussed.JRC.C.5-Air and Climat

A Quality Assurance and Control Program for PM2.5 and PM10 measurements in European Air Quality Monitoring Networks

To harmonize PM measurements in the European Union, the JRC together with the AQUILA Network of National Air Quality Reference Laboratories organized a PM QA/QC program. From 2006 – 2009, the JRC, equipped with a mobile laboratory, measured in 18 Member States, for a duration of two weeks each, PM10 and PM2.5 in parallel to measurement sites of local networks and to the National Reference Laboratories. The main goals of the project were to find out to which degree PM measurements performed in the Member States agree with the requirements of the relevant EU directive and how correction factors for automatic analyzers were applied.JRC.H.2 - Air and Climat

Results of the European Intercomparison exercise for Receptor Models 2011-2012. Part I

Receptor models are commonly used to identify the sources of ambient particulate matter (PM) in Europe. However, the use of different tools and methodological approaches make it difficult to compare the results of different studies. In order to promote harmonization in this field an intercomparison exercise involving 16 expert groups was organized and evaluated by the JRC with the collaboration of European experts in the field. The test database consisted of 178 PM2.5 speciated samples deriving from two real-world re-arranged DB Participants were asked to scrutinize the database in order to identify, solve and report typical imperfections of real world DBs (missing values, values below detection limits, outliers, unusual uncertainty patterns, etc...). The reported solutions included the number and label of the identified sources, their contribution estimation (SCE) and uncertainty. The exercise was evaluated using a new methodology developed on purpose The majority of the solutions reconstructed the PM mass satisfactorily while the number of sources identified in the different solutions was variable. The correspondence of every source/factor to a source category was checked by comparing its chemical profile and time trend with all the other members of the same category and with reference source profiles, when available. The SCEs of the different solutions were compared with a reference value obtained by robust analysis (standard ISO 5725-5). The acceptability criterion was set to 50% standard uncertainty. More than 90% of the 182 tested profiles passed the preliminary tests and 86% of the assessed source/factor contribution estimations met the acceptability criterion. This result indicates a good general agreement between the performances of the different participants and models.JRC.H.2-Air and Climat

Structural assessment and lateral\u2013torsional buckling design of glass beams restrained by continuous sealant joints

Glass is largely used in practice as a structural material, e.g. as beam and plate elements able to carry loads. Their structural interaction is often provided by mechanical connections, although recent trends are moving toward the minimization of metal components and the primary involvement of adhesives or silicone structural joints working as partially rigid continuous restraints. In this work, the lateral\u2013torsional buckling (LTB) behavior of glass beams laterally restrained by continuous silicone joints is assessed. Based on earlier contributions of literature and extended parametric Finite-Element (FE) numerical investigations, closed-form solutions are suggested for the estimation of their Euler\u2019s critical buckling moment under various loading conditions. Finally, by means of more detailed incremental nonlinear analyses, their global LTB response is also investigated, to assess their sensitivity to initial geometrical imperfections as well as their prevalent LTB failure mechanism. In conclusion, a generalized buckling design curve able to account for the structural contribution provided by structural silicone joints is proposed for a rational and conservative LTB verification

Determination of Particulate Matter according to CEN and EMEP standards at the Atmosphere Biosphere and Climate-Integrated Station (ABC-IS), Ispra (IT)

From May 2011 to December 2012, samples of PM10 were collected in the Atmosphere, Biosphere, Climate – Integrated Station (ABC-IS) using different instruments in parallel. These samples were collected to perform the chemical characterization of PM10, especially those species that are not analyzed routinely. These samples were used for a study on the levels of trace elements (Cavalli et al, 2012) and the comparability of two analytical methods to determine trace elements in PM10 (Yatkin et al., 2012). In addition, a thorough chemical characterization of the PM10 collected in this monitoring campaign is planned to be used as input for a receptor model exercise to identify the sources of PM in this site. The results of the quality tests were positive and the comparability between the different gravimetric methods was good, especially for concentrations below 60 µg/m3.JRC.H.2 - Air and Climat

The Evaluation of the Interlaboratory Comparison Exercise for SO2, CO, O3, NO and NO2 19.- 22. October 2009

From the 19th to the 22nd of October 2009 in Ispra (IT), 8 Laboratories of AQUILA (Network of European Air Quality Reference Laboratories) met at an interlaboratory comparison exercise to evaluate their proficiency in the analysis of inorganic gaseous pollutants covered by European Air Quality Directives (SO2, CO, NO, NO2 and O3). The proficiency evaluation, where each participant¿s bias was compared to two criteria, provides information on the current situation and capabilities to the European Commission and can be used by participants in their quality control system. In terms of criteria imposed by the European Commission, 85% of the results reported by AQUILA laboratories were good both in terms of measured values and reported uncertainties. Another 14% of the results had good measured values, but the reported uncertainties were either too high (6%) or too small (8%). The comparability of results among AQUILA participants is satisfactory for O3, CO and NO measurement methods. This is not the case for SO2 and NO2 which comparability in the present exercise is not satisfactory with respect to the settled quality criteria.JRC.DDG.H.4-Transport and air qualit

Ex-ante assessment of air quality in EUSALPS and EUSAIR macro-regions: Towards a coordinated science-based approach in support of policy development

The study focuses on the air quality issues of the EUSALP and EUSAIR macro-regions and discusses areas for improvement to be considered in the development of their future strategies. Key areas where action is expected to be most effective, considering the particular features of the macro-regions, are those of residential heating, traffic and shipping emissions. A strengthened collaboration at the macro-regional level, especially between EU and non-EU countries, has the potential to boost environmental policies by promoting collaboration and exchange of best practices among cities and regions that face similar challenges.JRC.C.5-Air and Climat

The evaluation of the interlaboratory comparison exercise for SO2, CO, O3, NO and NO2 14-17 June 2010

From the 14th to the 17th of June 2010 in Ispra (IT), 9 Laboratories of AQUILA (Network of European Air Quality Reference Laboratories) met at an interlaboratory comparison exercise to evaluate their proficiency in the analysis of inorganic gaseous pollutants covered by European Directive about air quality (SO2, CO, NO, NO2 and O3). The proficiency evaluation, where each participant’s bias was compared to two criteria, provides information on the current situation and capabilities to the European Commission and can be used by participants in their quality control system. On the basis of criteria imposed by the European Commission, 85% of the results reported by AQUILA laboratories were good both in terms of measured values and reported uncertainties. Another 12% of the results had good measured values, but the reported uncertainties were either too high (8%) or too small (4%). Comparability of results among AQUILA participants at the highest concentration level, excluding outliers, is acceptable in NO, CO and O3 measurements while NO2 and SO2 measurement methods showed less satisfactory results.JRC.H.2-Climate change and air qualit

The Evaluation of the Interlaboratory Comparison Exercise for SO2, O3, NO and NO2 Langen 20th-25th September 2009

From the 20th to the 25th of September 2009 in Langen (DE), 4 national reference laboratories (NRL) of AQUILA network and 3 laboratories of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Euro-Region met for an interlaboratory comparison exercise (IE) to evaluate their proficiency in the analysis of inorganic gaseous pollutants covered by European Air Quality Directives (SO2, NO, NO2 and O3). Most of the laboratories participating in the IE used automated CEN reference methods, which are mandatory in the EU, while some laboratories of the WHO Euro-Region performed analysis using manual methods. In this report proficiency evaluation was made at different degrees for each laboratory taking into account the differences in the methodologies and the completeness of the information provided by participants. For the laboratories who expressed their uncertainty, performance was evaluated using two criteria, providing information on their proficiency to the European Commission and supporting the national quality control systems. In terms of criteria imposed by the European Commission (that are not mandatory for WHO laboratories), 71% of the results reported by National Reference Laboratories (AQUILA network) were good both in terms of measured values and reported uncertainties. Another 23% of the results had good measured values, but the reported uncertainties were either too high (19%) or too small (4%). There were no questionable nor unacceptable values. AQUILA laboratories presented good comparability among participants for NO2, O3, and SO2. The relative reproducibility limit for NO was above the objective deriving from the standard deviation for proficiency assessment. For WHO laboratories using automated techniques, the results are satisfactory for SO2, NO2 and NO measurement methods, while one laboratory needs further investigation of their O3 measurements. The laboratory using manual methods presented results comparable to those of the automated methods for NO and O3 but there were questionable results for NO2 and SO2 and unsatisfactory results for NO2.JRC.DDG.H.4-Transport and air qualit

A comparative analysis of the causes of air pollution in three cities of the Danube region: implications for the implementation of the air quality directives

The causes of air pollution in three cities of the Danube region (Budapest, Sofia and Zagreb) were studied using datasets of measurements and modelling tools. The contributions from different activity sectors, including natural sources and their geographical origin were quantified. It was observed that most of the pollutants are emitted locally. However, the medium to long range transport may be also considerable. On the basis of the output of the source identification, a series of measures were proposed to deal wtih the pollution problem at local, national and international levels.JRC.H.2-Air and Climat