K. Slezakova

M. C. M. Alvim-Ferraz

M. C. Pereira

Klára Slezakova

Maria do Carmo Pereira

Maria da Conceição M. Alvim Ferraz

Repositório Aberto da Universidade do Porto

3 PM2.5 and PM10 Concentrations in the North of Portugal Prof. Maria do Carmo Pereira (mcsp@fe.up.pt) (August 2, 2004, 16:14)  M. C. Pereira1, M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz1, K. Slezakova1 1. LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 4200-465, Portugal  Particulate matter (PM), a mixture of suspended particles and aerosols, can lead to health effects and even premature mortality. Recent research studies seem to indicate that PM10 (particles with diameters less than 10 micrometers) are associated with respiratory responses and PM2.5 (particles with diameters less than 2.5 micrometers) mainly with cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, there is no indication if it is the physical or the chemical PM characteristics that are responsible for these effects. On the other hand, natural sources of PM make difficult to reduce ambient concentrations to less harmless levels. In European Union (EU), the future legislative intentions will focus also limit values for PM2.5, emphasizing the necessity for more appropriate information about these fractions. Therefore, the knowledge of PM10, PM2.5 and other fractions, their chemical composition in relation to their size, source distribution, etc., are important data to deal with this problem. The first continuous PM2.5 measurements started recently in the north of Portugal in two sites with different characteristics: background and traffic. Thus, the aims of this study are to present the spatial variations of PM2.5 and PM10 in the north of Portugal and to analyse both PM concentrations exceedances according the PM10 UE and PM2.5 US actual legislation. The available data was also correlated to understand the contribution of the PM2.5 in the PM10 fraction. Background daily averages varied between 3-40 and 5-31 µm/m3 for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. The daily profiles of both PM are similar and perfectly correlated (r=0.898) with a PM2.5/PM10 ratio of 0.88, showing that the most representative fraction is PM2.5, allowing to conclude that in background places just one of them should be measured. In the traffic site PM10 daily averages varied between 5-136 µm/m3 (25% of these averages exceeded the EU limits: 50 µm/m3), and PM2.5 varied between 2-129 µm/m3 (9% of exceedances according US limit: 65 µm/m3 for 98th percentile). The daily PM2.5 profile does not follow the same tendency of PM10, which is clearly related with the road traffic in the area. The correlation between both PM data showed a PM2.5/PM10 ratio around 0.80 (r=0.809). For the background site, the PM10 and PM2.5 annual averages were 17 and 16 µm/m3, which exceeded the PM2.5 annual US, limit (15 µm/m3). For the traffic site, the PM10 and PM2.5 annual averages were 39 and 29 µm/m3, exceeding both de PM10 (20 µm/m3) and PM2.5 US limits.   AIRNETA Thematic Network onAir Pollution and Healthii ll i lPM2.5 and PM10 Concentrations in the North of PortugalM.C. Pereira, M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz, K. Slezakova ObjectivesResultsLABORATORY OF PROCESS, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY ENGINEERINGMonitoring SitesConclusionsPM10 and PM2.5 correlation in the traffic sitePM exceedances at the background and the traffic sites, daily and annual limits according to EC and US legislationsIn the traffic site PM10 daily averages varied between 5-136 µg/m3and PM2.5 daily averages varied between 2-129 µg/m3.Annual limits of PM2.5 exceeded the US limits in both monitoringsites.The EC PM10 limit was exceeded in the traffic site.The PM2.5/PM10 ratio was 0.88 for the traffic and for 0.80 thebackground site. y = xy = 0.9626x + 12.098R2 = 0.74380204060801001201401600 20 40 60 80 100 120 140PM 2.5 µg/m3PM 10 µµ µµg/m3• To evaluate the spatial variations of the first continuousmeasurements of PM2.5 and PM10 in the north of Portugal• To  analyze both PM concentration exceedances according to  EU and US legislationsThe analyzed PM monitoring data was attained in the period ofJanuary to July 2004 from two distinct sites in the north ofPortugal.Background site: Lamas d’Olo, with a rural involving, is locatedin a mountainous region inserted in the forestreserve of Alvão, 1000 m altitudeTraffic site: Vermoim, belongs to the air quality monitoringnetwork of the Oporto Metropolitan Area, it isan urban zone near a traffic roadIn the background site the daily profiles of both PM were similar and perfectly correlated (r=0.898) with a high PM2.5/PM10ratio. As the PM2.5 was the most representative fraction it might be concluded that in the background site only one PM fractioncould be monitored.Oporto Metropolitan Area is strongly influenced by traffic emission and the exceedances of PM10 limits are alarming and theseconcentrations could lead to health effects and even premature mortality. Strategies to implement better public transportationsystem and strict car maintenance should be applied.As the future EC legislative intentions will also focus on PM2.5, it requires more detailed information about these fractions, theirchemical composition and relation to the size. In Portugal this field is nearly “untouched”.Daily PM10 and PM2.5 profile in the background site 03.07.2004051015202500:00 04:00 08:00 12:00 16:00 20:00timePM µµ µµg/m3PM 10PM 2.524-hours limits  Background exceedance Traffic exceedance Annual limits Annual average  EC 1 US 2 EC US EC US EC 3 US Background Traffic PM10 (µg/m3) 50 150 N  N 25 % N 20 50 17 39 PM2.5 (µg/m3) - 65 N N - 9 % - 15 16 29 N - Not exceeded 1 Council Directive 1999/30/EC 2 US EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) 3 Limit to be met by 1 January 2010  ((150)99th and (65)98th percentiles)

PM2.5 and PM10 Concentrations in the North of Portugal

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PM2.5 and PM10 Concentrations in the North of Portugal

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