Preliminary analysis of variability in concentration of fine particulate matter - PM

It is commonly known, that suspended particulate matter pose a threat to human life and health, negatively influence the flora, climate and also materials. Especially dangerous is the presence of high concentration of particulate matter in the area of cities, where density of population is high. The research aimed at determining the variability of suspended particulate matter concentration (PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10) in two different thermal seasons, in the area of Poznań city. As a part of carried out work we analyzed the variability of concentrations and also performed a preliminary analysis of their correlation. Measured concentrations of particulate matter were contained within following ranges: PM10 – 8.7-69.6 μg/m3, PM2.5 – 2.2-88.5 μg/m3, PM1.0 – 2.5-22.9 μg/m3 in the winter season and 1.0-42.8 μg/m3 (PM10), 1.2-40.3 μg/m3 (PM2.5) and 2.7-10.4 (PM1.0) in the summer season. Preliminary correlative analysis indicated interdependence between the temperature of air, the speed of wind and concentration of particulate matter in selected measurement points. The values of correlation coefficients between the air temperature, speed of wind and concentrations of particulate matter were respectively equal to: for PM10: -0.59 and -0.55 (Jana Pawła II Street), -0.53 and -0.53 (Szymanowskiego Street), for PM2.5: -0.60 and -0.53 (Jana Pawła II Street) and for PM1.0 -0.40 and -0.59 (Jana Pawła II Street)

Analysis of concentrations trends and origins of PM

Particulate matter is generated in many natural and anthropogenic processes and, therefore, taking part in chemical reactions and physical processes in the atmosphere could affect human health, climate, and natural environment. The dust, after emission to the atmosphere, remains there in a floating state to form an atmospheric aerosol with different properties – depending on the morphology, the fraction, shape, surface, and chemical composition of the particles. The chemical composition of particulate matter is heterogeneous and depends on the type of emission sources and the time of residence in the atmosphere. The contribution of individual types of sources in the total dust emission is different in European countries. The aim of the study was to analyze the concentrations of PM10 at urban background and traffic stations in the chosen 17 European cities. For this purpose, the data from the database of the European Environment Agency and Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection was used. The annual average concentrations of 10 and daily average concentrations of PM10 in 2014 will be presented to confirm that in the European cities there is a problem about high 10 concentrations, especially in Poland and other eastern countries. In the case of daily average 10 concentration, the highest concentrations of pollutants in the winter season suggests that for the low air quality in these cities the phenomenon of so- called low-stack-emissions from the municipal sector is responsible

Wpływ transportu na jakość powietrza w wybranych miastach Polski

Road transport is widely recognised to be a significant and increasing source of air pollution. In the next few decades, road transport will remain a significant contributor to air pollution in European cities. According to National Centre for Emissions Management (KOBiZE) carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide (CO2 and CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and particulate matter have the highest share of emissions from transport in Poland. The aim of the paper was to study trends of concentrations changes of CO, NO2, NOx, O3, PM10 and PM2.5 in 2010–2015 in selected Polish cities (Poznan, Wroclaw, Krakow, and Warszawa). The analysis of the data showed that European cities have the problem of air pollution by particulate matter (PM). For the CO, NO2, NOx, O3 acceptable concentrations established for human health are not exceeded. Concentrations of pollutants were higher on the traffic stations. At the same time, the highest concentration of pollutants was found in Krakow. In conclusion, air quality in cities under study was influenced by both transport and geographical location.Transport drogowy staje się coraz bardziej znaczącym źródłem emisji zanieczyszczenia powietrza. W ciągu najbliższych kilku dekad transport drogowy stanie się istotnym czynnikiem przyczyniającym się do zanieczyszczenia powietrza w miastach europejskich. W Polsce według Krajowego Ośrodka Bilansowania i Zarządzania Emisjami (KOBiZE) ditlenek i tlenek węgla (CO2 i CO), tlenki azotu (NOx), niemetanowe lotne związki organiczne (NMLZO) i pył są głównie emitowane z transportu. Głównym celem artykułu było określenie zmienności stężeń CO, NO2, NOx, O3, PM10 i PM2.5 w latach 2010–2015 w wybranych polskich miastach (Poznań, Wrocław, Kraków i Warszawa). Analiza wskazuje, że miasta te mają przede wszystkim problem z zanieczyszczeniem powietrza cząstkami stałymi (PM), podczas gdy dla pozostałych zanieczyszczeń takich jak CO, NO2, NOx, O3 poziomy ustalone dla ochrony zdrowia nie były przekraczane. Ponadto stężenia zanieczyszczeń było wyższe na stacjach komunikacyjnych niż na stacjach tła miejskiego. Spośród analizowanych miast najwyższe stężenia były rejestrowane w Krakowie

Analysis of concentrations trends and origins of PM10 in selected European cities

Particulate matter is generated in many natural and anthropogenic processes and, therefore, taking part in chemical reactions and physical processes in the atmosphere could affect human health, climate, and natural environment. The dust, after emission to the atmosphere, remains there in a floating state to form an atmospheric aerosol with different properties – depending on the morphology, the fraction, shape, surface, and chemical composition of the particles. The chemical composition of particulate matter is heterogeneous and depends on the type of emission sources and the time of residence in the atmosphere. The contribution of individual types of sources in the total dust emission is different in European countries. The aim of the study was to analyze the concentrations of PM10 at urban background and traffic stations in the chosen 17 European cities. For this purpose, the data from the database of the European Environment Agency and Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection was used. The annual average concentrations of 10 and daily average concentrations of PM10 in 2014 will be presented to confirm that in the European cities there is a problem about high 10 concentrations, especially in Poland and other eastern countries. In the case of daily average 10 concentration, the highest concentrations of pollutants in the winter season suggests that for the low air quality in these cities the phenomenon of so- called low-stack-emissions from the municipal sector is responsible

Characteristics of selected elements of the air quality management system in urban areas in Poland

Most of Europeans living in cities are exposed to concentrations of air pollutants in excess of the thresholds given in the WHO guidelines and EU legislation. Due to this fact, for the urban air quality systems, the mechanisms of proper information and warning of the inhabitants as well as legal, economic and spatial planning instruments should be improved. The analysis of Polish air quality management system and its’ selected components (exemplary measures, information-spreading methods, spatial planning instruments) in four selected Polish cities (Wroclaw, Warsaw, Poznan and Cracow) indicated the need to develop effective solutions, among others, in terms of: emission requirements for combustion of fuels of power of up to 1 MW; admission of high emission fuels on the market; legal and coordination issues at the level of implementation of the area development policy and coordination of activities covering issues within the scope of the structure of planning documents including mainly: ambient air protection programs, spatial developments plans in communes and voivodeships, low emission economy plans, plans of sustainable development of public transport, plans of providing heat, electric power and gas fuels to communes, acts of regional parliaments, introducing limitations based on the Environmental Protection Act and strategies of voivodeship

Exposure of urban agglomeration population to the selected components of PM

The sources of gaseous and particulate (PM) pollutants in Polish cities are mainly: municipal sector, industry, emissions from the road transport and the upstream emission (pollution “flowing” to the cities, derived from emission sources located outside of cities). The residents of the cities are mainly exposed to air pollutants from low-emission sources (i.e. municipal sector and road traffic). In the paper, the results of the study from field campaign, conducted in January of 2016 in Wroclaw will be presented. During the field campaign the 24-h concentrations of submicron particulate matter (PM1) and 24-h concentrations of selected PM1-bound heavy metals were determined. The cancer risk associated with inhalation exposure to arsenic, nickel, and cadmium to the city’s residents, based on the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standards methodology including the so-called lifelong chronic exposure of adult and child, was calculated. Measurements results showed that in Wroclaw during the winter season in 2016 the 24-h concentrations of PM1-bound arsenic, nickel and cadmium ranged from 0.51 to 4.26 ng/m3, 0.21–52.89 ng/m3 and 0.08–1.01 ng/m3, respectively. Obtained calculations results of cancer risk values for inhalation exposure to arsenic were: for men: 6.11·10−6, women: 7.30·10−6, children: 14.90·10−6, to nickel: for men: 1.91·10−6, women: 2.29·10−6, children: 4.67·10−6, to cadmium: for men: 0.37·10−6, women: 0.44·10−6, children: 0.91·10−6. The values obtained for inhalation exposure among children indicated the high potential risk of cancer, mainly for arsenic exposure

Exposure of urban agglomeration population to the selected components of PM1 emitted from low emission sources

The sources of gaseous and particulate (PM) pollutants in Polish cities are mainly: municipal sector, industry, emissions from the road transport and the upstream emission (pollution “flowing” to the cities, derived from emission sources located outside of cities). The residents of the cities are mainly exposed to air pollutants from low-emission sources (i.e. municipal sector and road traffic). In the paper, the results of the study from field campaign, conducted in January of 2016 in Wroclaw will be presented. During the field campaign the 24-h concentrations of submicron particulate matter (PM1) and 24-h concentrations of selected PM1-bound heavy metals were determined. The cancer risk associated with inhalation exposure to arsenic, nickel, and cadmium to the city’s residents, based on the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standards methodology including the so-called lifelong chronic exposure of adult and child, was calculated. Measurements results showed that in Wroclaw during the winter season in 2016 the 24-h concentrations of PM1-bound arsenic, nickel and cadmium ranged from 0.51 to 4.26 ng/m3, 0.21–52.89 ng/m3 and 0.08–1.01 ng/m3, respectively. Obtained calculations results of cancer risk values for inhalation exposure to arsenic were: for men: 6.11·10−6, women: 7.30·10−6, children: 14.90·10−6, to nickel: for men: 1.91·10−6, women: 2.29·10−6, children: 4.67·10−6, to cadmium: for men: 0.37·10−6, women: 0.44·10−6, children: 0.91·10−6. The values obtained for inhalation exposure among children indicated the high potential risk of cancer, mainly for arsenic exposure