Indoor and outdoor air particulate matter concentrations and chemical composition in naturally yentilated school enyironment and Wroclaws' atmosphere

Pomiary stężeń pyłu PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10 zostały przeprowadzone w okresie zimowym 2009 i 2010 roku w szkole średniej oraz na obszarach miejskich we Wrocławiu. Pobrane w powietrzu wewnętrznym oraz zewnętrznym próbki aerozolu analizowano pod względem poziomu stężenia oraz składu pierwiastkowego. W powietrzu wewnętrznym stężenia PM 1.0, PM2.5 i PM10 wyniosły kolejno: 13-36, 18+143 oraz 21-190 ug/m3. Pomiary wykazały, że w powietrzu zewnętrznym stężenia pyłu zawieszonego były mniejsze i mieściły się w granicach: 15-41 (PM1.0), 24-79 (PM2.5) oraz 26-95 Hg/m3 (PM10). Jakość powietrza we Wrocławiu oceniono zgodnie w wytycznymi Jakości Powietrza Światowej Organizacji Zdrowia (WHO AQO). Na podstawie przeprowadzonych obliczeń odnotowano 90% dni ze średnią dobową powyżej wartości stężeń określonych w ww. wytycznych: w przypadku frakcji PM2.5 - 25 ug/m3. Zmierzone we Wrocławiu stężenia PM2.5 w zakresie 24-79 ug/m3 mogą zatem wskazywać na wzrost ryzyka zachorowalności związanej z zanieczyszczeniem powietrza pyłem zawieszonym.The measurements of PM1.0, PM2.5, PMIO have been conducted during the winter season of 2009 and 2010 in the secondary school and over urban area in Wrocław, Poland. Both, indoor and outdoor aerosol samples were analyzed for their weight and elemental composition. Indoor PM1.0, PM2.5 and PMIO concentrations ranged 13-36, 18-143 and 21-190 Hg/m3, respectively. The results showed that outdoor particulate matter concentrations were lower than indoor one and ranged 15-41 (PM1.0), 24-79 (PM2.5), and 26-95 ug/m3 (PMIO). Air quality in Wrocław has been categorized according to World Health Organization Air Quality Guideline (WHO AQG). There were reported 90% of days with daily mean exceeding the WHO AQG for PM2.5 - 25 ug/m3. Within the measured concentration range 24-79 ug/m3 a significant daily increase in morbidity risk has been deduced

Application of GIS technique for pm2.5 and pm10 concentrations spatial analysis in the province of lower silesia

Zmienność w czasie i przestrzeni danych stanowi kluczowy element różnych zjawisk zachodzących w środowisku przyrodniczym. W celu zbadania zmienności buduje się bazy danych, w których jedną z cech jest lokalizacja. W dobie automatyzacji i informatyzacji bazy danych to niezbędny element funkcjonowania wielu instytucji państwowych oraz firm prywatnych. Problematyczne wydaje się być przedstawienie informacji zawartych w bazach w taki sposób, by zmiany przed-stawione za pomocą liczb były łatwe i szybkie w analizowaniu. Z pomocą przychodzą rozwiązania technik GIS (z ang. Geographic Information System), stosowane obecnie na szeroką skalę w wielu branżach m.in. w transporcie, budownictwie, energetyce oraz w inżynierii i ochronie środowiska [1÷8]. Celem niniejszej pracy była wizualizacja i analiza przestrzenna danych dotyczących zanieczyszczenia powietrza atmosferycznego pyłem zawieszonym PM10 i PM2.5 na terenie województwa dolnośląskiego przy zastosowaniu techniki GIS.Variability of data in time and space is a key element of the different phenomena occurring in the natural environment. In order to investigate the variability a databases in which one of the features is the location are built up. In the era of automation and computerization the databases are an essential element for the functioning of many public institutions and private companies. Problematic seems to be to present the information in databases in such a way as to amendments submitted by the numbers were easy and quick to analyze. In such a case the GIS technique can be helpful. The method of implementation of spatial analysis using ArcGIS soft-ware package was presented. It consisted of obtaining data on concentrations of pollutants, processed for the purposes of the program, the appropriate data management, analysis and graphical presentation of results. There were used functions that were needed to create the area and point type map layers. By use of the area type layers, zones according to which the concentrations classification was conducted. And with a point type layers measurement points used in the study were presented. For each layer is assigned the characteristics of the resource database, which allowed their subsequent interpretation by the spatial analysis. By combining point-type layer with polygons characteristics for the relevant areas was averaged. Ability to set the layer properties has allowed for classification and presentation of data assigned to them. In this study spatial analysis were conducted to show the possibility of using geoinformation techniques in monitoring of concentrations of selected air pollutants (PM10 and PM2.5). Developed data of measurements of concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 from the beginning of 2009 till September of 2010 were made available by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment Protection in Wroclaw. Using this set of data it was possible to present and to characterize air pollution by particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 in the Lower Silesia province. It was observed that the zones characterized by the highest levels in selected averaging periods (monthly and annual) were: District Kłodzko, Wałbrzych, the city of Legnica and Wrocław agglomeration. In 2009, the observed average concentrations exceeded the limit of PM10 (40 ?g/m3) in the Kłodzko. The concentrations of PM10 in the range from 30 to 40 ?g/m3 near Legnica, district of Wałbrzych and Wrocław agglomeration were observed. In 2010, the concentrations of PM10 in ambient air over three mentioned areas has been exceeded the limit values. In the case of PM2.5 annual average concentration allowed value (25 ?g/m3) was exceeded in the district of Wałbrzych and Wrocław agglomeration. It was also examined the impact of volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland, which took place on April, 14th (2010), on air quality in the Lower Silesia province. The changes in concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 for 14 and 18 of April 2010 were studied. Prepared maps indicated that the PM 2.5 concentrations four days after the eruption, when the air space for air transportation in most countries in Europe, including Polish, was closed, over most concerned areas were lower compared with April 14th 2010. For a fraction of PM10 there were no significant changes in concentrations in Lower Silesia province

Stężenia oraz skład chemiczny pyłu PM10, PM25 oraz PM10 w powietrzu wewnętrznym i zewnętrznym szkoły

Simultaneous daily indoor and outdoor measurements of PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10 have been conducted during winter season of 2009/2010 in the secondary school in Wroclaw, Poland. Aerosol samples were analysed for mass concentrations and elemental composition. The factor analysis was applied to identify possible emission sources of the PM1.0 fraction. Mean daily PM10 concentrations was 81 g/m3 indoors and 54 g/m3 outdoors. The corresponding means for PM2.5 and PM1.0 were 62 and 22 g/m3 indoors and 46 and 24 g/m3 outdoors. There were reported 90 % of days with daily mean exceeding the WHO AQG for PM2.5 – 25 g/m3. In many cases the I/O ratio was higher than 1.0, what means that there are some particles sources inside the school building, particularly for the fractions PM10 and PM2.5. The most abundant elements in the PM1.0 fraction were S, Cl and K. Zn and Pb were the dominant heavy metals. Combustion processes contributed to high concentrations of K, S, As, Cl and vehicular emission to Cu, Pb and Zn.Jednoczesne pomiary stężeń pyłu PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10 w powietrzu wewnętrznym i zewnętrznym zostały przeprowadzone w szkole średniej we Wrocławiu w sezonie zimowym 2009/2010 roku. Pobrane próbki aerozolu analizowano pod względem wysokości stężenia masowego oraz składu pierwiastkowego. Analizę czynnikową wykorzystano do oceny źródeł pochodzenia cząstek frakcji PM1.0. W powietrzu wewnętrznym średnie dobowe stężenie PM10 wynosiło 81 g/m3, a zewnętrznym 54 g/m3. Odpowiednie średnie dla PM2.5 i PM1.0 wynosiły 62 i 22 g/m3 wewnątrz i 46 i 24 g/m3 na zewnątrz budynku. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych pomiarów odnotowano 90 % dni ze średnim dobowym stężeniem frakcji PM2.5 powyżej wartości zalecanej w wytycznych Światowej Organizacji Zdrowia, tj. 25 g/m3. W wielu przypadkach stosunek stężeń w powietrzu wewnętrznym (I) do stężeń w powietrzu zewnętrznym (O), tj. I/O, był większy od 1.0, co oznaczało istnienie źródeł pyłów wewnątrz budynku, a dotyczyło do przede wszystkim frakcji PM10 i PM2.5. We frakcji PM1.0 w największych koncentracjach pojawiały się S, Cl i K, a wśród metali ciężkich Zn i Pb. Procesy spalania miały największy udział w stężeniach K, S, As i Cl, natomiast motoryzacja w przypadku stężeń Cu, Pb i Zn

Application of german solutions in odour annoyance evaluation in Poland

Zgodnie z definicją WHO [20], zdrowie to nie tylko całkowity brak choroby, czy kalectwa, ale także stan pełnego, fizycznego, umysłowego i społecznego zadowolenia. Zapachy natomiast powodować mogą dyskomfort, irytację, bóle głowy, mdłości, problemy z koncentracją, brak apetytu, bezsenność czy stres [1, 11]. Dlatego też uciążliwość zapachową można zdefiniować jako szkodliwą dla zdrowia poprzez powtarzające się odczuwanie niechcianych zapachów. Pomimo przeprowadzonych badań związanych z oceną uciążliwości zapachowej Polsce nie udało się do tej pory stworzyć uregulowań prawnych dotyczących tego zagadnienia [10, 12, 14, 15]. W wielu krajach na całym świecie istnieją normy dotyczące zapachów (Niemcy, Holandia, Kanada, Australia). Funkcjonuje europejska norma EN 13725 dotycząca określenia stężenia zapachu metodą olfaktometrii dynamicznej, a także jej polska wersja PN EN 13725. Normy te dotyczą jednakże emisji odorów. Do tej pory, natomiast, nie udało się na skalę europejską wprowadzić podobnych standardów odnośnie badan imisji zapachu i jakości powietrza atmosferycznego.Poland has not managed to create regulations on the odour nuisance assessment in spite of studies related to this issue. In many countries around the world e.g. in Germany, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, there are standards relating to odours. For several years, operates the European standard EN 13725 for the determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry, and its Polish version PN-EN 13725. However, these standards relate to odour emission. So far, there are no similar standards for odour in ambient air (odour imission) and air olfactory quality assessment on a European scale. The legal basis for air quality in Germany is the Act on Protection of At-mospheric Air (German BImSchG: Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz). According to it (§ 3 (1)) deterioration of the environment due to pollution, which, because of the nature, size and duration, can cause harm, serious injury or annoyance to the public. Only under this Act a odour nuisance as environment pollution may be viewed. Each plant obtaining licenses for the operation or control of already existing plants is obliged to assess the extent to which the possible nuisance can be considered as serious. So guidelines for "Odour in the air" were developed. In these guidelines, the methods of dealing in relation to immission odour measurement methods and requirements for air olfactory quality are presented: inter alia, the limits of recognized odours in the areas around the industrial plants. The limit values were obtained basing on carried out measurements, comparative tests of the impact and odour frequency and level assessed on the basis of surveys in accordance with VDI 3883. According to GOAA (Guideline on Odour in Ambient Air), the smell can be characterized by its type, the level of feelings - above the threshold of recognition, and through the so-called 'odour hour'. Lack of regulation and standardized terminology relating inter alia to odour measurements in the field is definitely a basic limitation when trying to apply methods of odour assessing in Poland. Therefore, there is a need to clarify the concepts of 'odour imission' (odour in ambient air) and 'survey'. The first of them allows an assessment of frequency of the odour occurrence, is also called 'field research / inspections / measurements'. However, as a 'survey' (question-naires) is defined odor nuissance assessment. The term 'field research' refers to the total assessment of odour with both the imission measurements and questionnaires. Currently, the only way to carry out research in and around a potential odour emission source is the good will of the representatives of the plant. However, the vast majority of traders fear field measurements, since the results of measurements would suggest a potential need for changes and improvements in technology of the industrial plant, which undoubtedly would impose a large financial outlay. Further restrictions apply to conduct research themselves. On one hand, the measurements do not require any complicated or expensive equipment. On the other, are indispensable to the people creating the panel, who should be trained and then perform measurements, which require financial resources. Another problem of a formal nature, is a law on the protection of per-sonal data. Impossible or difficult access to the population database of potential respondents from the area could lead to a significant reduction in the quality of research results and their lack of credibility. However, taking into account the very complex nature of the problem of odour nuisance, and particularly the influence of 'no olfactory' factors, odour evaluation process should be expanded just a survey. Thus, in this study modifications to the German methodology have been done in order to develop evaluation process of the air olfactory quality assessment. It has been concluded that the legislation related to odours should be introduced in Poland in order to improve the evaluation of the problem and finding the optimal deodoration solution

Influence of PM1, PM2.5, PM10 Concentrations in Indoor School Environment on Spirometric Parameters in Schoolchildren

The influence of the aerosols particles on the lung function was investigated by the measurements of lung function parameters in children at secondary school located in the centre of city Wroclaw (south – west of Poland). Simultaneous daily indoor and outdoor measurements of PM1, PM2,5, PM10 have been conducted with the use of Harvard cascade impactors (MS&T Area Samplers). In the study 186 children age 13–14 yrs underwent repeated spirometry (Blue Spiro) at the same time of day, 5 times during the winter/spring (heating season) and 5 times in summer/autumn. Exposure to indoor fine particulate matter PM2,5 significantly worseness FEV1 in the lung function of secondary school children (Pearson correlation: median versus indoor PM2,5, r = -0,95; p < 0.05). Correlation of the lung function parameters with other particles PM1, PM10 measured indoor and outdoor were not statistically significant. PM2.5 measured outdoor was also not significantly correlated with lung function parameters. Considerable effort should be made to improve ambient air quality. Especially there is a need to measure and control the fine particulate matter PM2,5 in winter as it has the highest impact on lung function in children

The Conditions and Requirements Necessary for the Proper Functioning of the Olfactometric Laboratory

A characteristic feature of many chemicals, also emitted during industrial processes, is the smell, which is a matter of individual perception, depending on the individual features. Odor emission significantly influences on the quality of people life and can significantly decrease the quality of the environment. Over the world there is used several methods to assess odor air quality including analytical chemistry methods, dynamic olfactometry and static dilutions, field inspections, surveys and modeling. In Poland, the standardization document regarding to odor is the PN-EN 13725:2007 standard "Air Quality. Determination of odor concentration by dynamic olfactometry." that includes a description of the methodology of the odor concentration measuring and sets out the requirements necessary to ensure the quality of olfactometric research. In order to determine odor emissions, it is necessary to determine the odor concentration, which is expressed in European odor units per cubic meter (ouE/m3). It is the amount of odorant vaporized in a volume of 1 m3 of inert gas that at standard conditions is sensed by half of representative group exposed to odorant. Due to the nature of olfactometric research in that the main role of odor sensor fully plays human nose in Olfactometric Laboratory is particularly important to take care of the quality and precision of the measurements. It should be provided a pleasant working environment for the evaluation team and ensured the reliability of its members through appropriate incentives, training in the methodology of measurements and the applicable rules, and careful selection by the use of the certified reference material. To ensure the quality of the measurements in the Olfactometric Laboratory it is necessary to ensure measurement devices that require periodic controls and calibration. To ensure accuracy and precision criteria must be also performed compliance testing to the laboratory and inter-laboratory tests

Assessment of the Short-term Influence of Particulate Matter Concentrations on the Health of the Inhabitants of Wroclaw

Atmospheric pollution caused by particulate matter is a major problem of urban agglomerations and big cities, both in Poland and in Europe. Almost 83% of the population living in major European cities is exposed to the adverse effects of air pollution, due to the presence of concentrations exceeding acceptable levels. The aim of the study was to analyze the seasonal variation of the fine particulate matter concentration and the assessment of its impact on the health of the inhabitants of Wroclaw. Measurement results of research on PM concentrations from Wroclaw in 2013-2015 conducted by the authors, as well as the Regional Inspectorate of Environment Protection (RIEP)were used in this study. The analysis showed that daily concentrations of particulate matter PM2.5 (station situated in the vicinity of Al. Wisniowa) in 2015 were in the range of 6-110 µg/3, whereas the concentrations registered on Na Grobli street were in the range of 5-88 µg/3. The averaged concentration on Na Grobli street recorded in 2014 was:32 µg/3 in the heating season and 16 µg/3in the rest of the year , whereas in the case of Al. Wisniowa: 40 µg/3 and 17 µg/3, respectively. In order to determine the potential impact of selected air pollutants on the health of the inhabitants of Wroclaw, the AirQ 2.2.3 model (The Air Quality Health Impact Assessment Tool) was used. AirQ model allows the assessment of the impact of air pollution on human health in two categories: morbidity and mortality. Analyses showed that the estimated number of cases of mortality per 100 000, relating to the short-term impact of the concentration of dust at the average value of the relative risk of 1.14 for the PM2.5 concentration measured at Al. Wisniowa and at Na Grobli street in 2014 amounted to 166.0 cases and 150.2 cases, respectively