A Study of PM 10, PM 2.5 Concentrations in the Atmospheric Air in Kraków, Poland

Abstract

The air in Kraków is one of the most polluted in Europe. Polish standards for notification and alert levels for PM10 particulate matterare one of the the highest in Europe and exceed the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for safe daily concentrations by several times. The article presents the results of airborne dust measurements in three districts of Kraków. The study hasshown that the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter exceeded the annual average permissible levels. Empirical measurements of PM2.5 show significantly higher air pollution values than the data notified by stationary monitoring stations installed intwo locations. The high value of Pearson linear correlation coefficient confirms that weather conditions have a significant impact on airquality in Kraków. Wind speed in the autumn and winter seasons has by far the greatest influence on air quality in al. Krasińskiego,in the Ruczaj and Kurdwanów districts. A strong negative correlation was displayed. Manual measurements should be used to verifydata obtained from air monitoring stations. It is to be expected that, in Kraków, air purity will improve due to the implementation ofan anti-smog resolution and subsidies for the replacement of obsolete heating systems with more environmentally friendly solutions.

Health benefits to the pediatric population from reduction of ambient particulate matter in Krakow, Poland

“…Despite the fact that a total ban on burning coal, wood, and other solid fuels in boiler houses, stoves, and fireplaces was imposed in the city of Kraków on September 1st, 2019 [36], in 2019, the number of days when the daily air pollution levels exceeded the 24 h guidelines set by the WHO in 2005 was still very high: 103 d with PM 2.5 > 25 µg m −3 ; 62 d with PM 10 levels > 50 µg m −3 (figure 2). We have also observed that during the year 2020, the first year after the ban to use solid fuels entered into force, the number of days that exceeded the 24 h guidelines values was 94 for PM 2.5 and 56 for PM 10 .…”

“…In addition to the previous analysis, we have estimated the potential benefits that would have occurred had pollution levels observed in 2019 been reduced to meet the WHO 2015 guidelines (for the long-term effects only). The expected reduction in number of cases is as high as a 30.6% in asthma incident cases for PM 2.5 and 27.4% for PM 10 . In addition, achieving the WHO 2005 guidelines in 2019 would have resulted in a 14.1% lower number of preterm births and 10.2% fewer cases of low birth weight (table 5).…”

“…Scenario 2 assumed a reduction in air pollution observed in 2010 to the levels recommended by the 2005 WHO guidelines for air quality [27]: for longterm (annual) exposure 10 µg m −3 for PM 2.5 and 20 µg m −3 for PM 10 , and for short-term (24 h) exposure 25 µg m −3 for PM 2.5 and 50 µg m −3 for PM 10 . The analysis was performed separately for PM 2.5 and PM 10 .…”

“…The population of the city in 2021 included over 780 000 citizens, with 120 000 children aged 1-14 yr [9]. For many years, Kraków has been one of the most polluted Polish and European cities [10][11][12]. Based on the estimates from ISGlobal-Ranking of Cities [13], Kraków has been classified in the 28th position (out of 858 European cities) for the highest mortality related to air pollution.…”

Modelowanie i predykcja wskaźników jakości rudy żelaza

“…A particularly important aspect of appying geometrization of iron ore deposits is geometrical prediction of their quality indicators for solving tasks of current and long-term planning in order to provide the most efficient performance of the mining enterprise in terms of ore blending and to improve rationalization of deposit development. It is also of great importance to carry out mining operations with the minimal impact on the environment and the rock massif [27][28][29][30]. This can be achieved based on a clear understanding of rock properties and geological indicator distribution in the massif.…”