Analysis of the Continuous Measurements of Pm10 and PM2.5 Concentrations in Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

Atmospheric concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were measured in Beirut, Lebanon, for a period of 12 months. The daily average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were found to be 51.3 ± 33.1 and 30.3 ± 9.4 µg.m −3 , respectively, with corresponding maximum values of 359.7 and 208.6 µg.m −3. The annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 exceeded the World Health Organization's standards by 150% and 200%, respectively. The mean concentration of coarse particles (PM10-2.5) was found to be 41% of the average PM10, suggesting that the site was also influenced by re-suspended surface dust and soil. The mean PM2.5/PM10 ratio for the entire study period was 0.61 ± 0.12. This indicates that in Beirut, PM2.5 accounts for about 61% of PM10. Such a large fraction of fine particles could have considerable effect on health; thus, it is necessary to quantify its impact. Daily concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 exceeded the upper threshold limit on 133 and 129 days, respectively, representing 39% and 38% of the entire sample, respectively. These findings indicate the important role dust events play within this area. Concentrations of PM2.5 were highly correlated with NO2, whereas concentrations of PM10 and PM10-2.5 were not associated with any gaseous pollutant. Regression analysis showed that 93% of PM2.5 and 43% of PM10 particle mass concentrations were derived from road traffic exhaust in Beirut.

Lung Cancer and Risk Factors in Lebanon: Epidemiology, Temporal Trends, and Comparison to Countries From Different Regions in the World

“…The levels of various air pollutants in Lebanon reported intermittently by the AQMN over the past decade show that levels of gas pollutants including NO2, PMs and their chemical contents, and Volatile Organic Carbons exceed WHO recommended limits for annual averages. 64 , 65 Lebanon air pollution is among the highest in the MENA Region. 72 Unregulated private diesel-fueled power generators in Lebanon’s streets and buildings, which cause petrochemical-based air pollution in residential areas, along with heavy traffic in Greater Beirut are the leader sources.…”

“…33,34,63 Lebanon's air pollution sources emit carbon monoxide (CO) and dioxide (CO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NO X : NO and NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), fine PMs (mainly PM 10 and PM 2.5 ), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). [62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73] The national air quality monitoring network (AQMN) was installed in 2013 and expanded in 2017 by the Lebanese Ministry of Environment in coordination with university researchers. The levels of various air pollutants in Lebanon reported intermittently by the AQMN over the past decade show that levels of gas pollutants including NO2, PMs and their chemical contents, and Volatile Organic Carbons exceed WHO recommended limits for annual averages.…”

Epidemiology of Breast, Corpus Uteri, and Ovarian Cancers in Lebanon With Emphasis on Breast Cancer Incidence Trends and Risk Factors Compared to Regional and Global Rates

“…Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX: NO and NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), fine particulate matter (mainly PM10 and PM2.5), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are all increasing sources of air pollution in Lebanon. 112 – 124 In partnership with university researchers, the Lebanese Ministry of Environment initiated the national air quality monitoring network (AQMN) in 2013, later expanding it in 2017. The data on various air pollutants in Lebanon, reported intermittently by the AQMN over the past decade, indicate that levels of gas pollutants like NO2, particulate matters (PMs) along with their chemical components, and volatile organic carbons consistently exceed the annual average limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).…”

“…The data on various air pollutants in Lebanon, reported intermittently by the AQMN over the past decade, indicate that levels of gas pollutants like NO2, particulate matters (PMs) along with their chemical components, and volatile organic carbons consistently exceed the annual average limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). 115 , 116 Lebanon experiences some of the most severe air pollution in the MENA region. 123 The predominant sources of petrochemical-based air pollution in residential areas are unregulated private diesel-fueled power generators located in streets and buildings, compounded by heavy traffic in Greater Beirut.…”

Identifying urban air pollution hot-spots by dispersion modeling when data are scarce: application to diesel generators in Beirut, Lebanon

“…Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, lying on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, is characterized by high PM 2.5 concentration levels [31,32] exceeding the WHO limits by 150% [33]. These high concentrations are linked to long-range pollution transport such as the dust events originating in the Sahara and Arabian deserts [34] and local-range pollution transport due to emissions from traffic [35,31], construction sites [32], and diesel generators [35].…”