Are PM2.5 in the Atmosphere of a Small City a Threat for Health?

Glykeria Loupa,Varvara Pantelidou,Spyridon Rapsomanikis,Zoi Panagiota Kryona

doi:10.3390/su132011329

Abstract

A number of time series from two local PM2.5 monitoring stations were analyzed, for a small city, in North East Greece. They coincided with SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lockdowns and lifting restrictions. The aim of this analysis was to establish concentration exceedances and roughly apportion sources of the PM2.5 concentration problem. This was established by analyzing 24-h filter samples of trace elements using WD-XRF. It was found that the restrictions and their lifting did not significantly affect these concentrations. The main problems were assigned to emissions from biomass burning central heating and Saharan dust episodes. The study results indicate that even in small cities the air quality as far as PM2.5 is concerned can still be deleterious to the local population according to the WHO restricting levels but not according to the EU levels. The fact that PM2.5 is not a single chemical pollutant makes matters more complicated and renders such concentration upper levels, of little significance.

Highlights

Sustainability 2021, 13, 11329. https://Air pollution is a threat to our lives [1,2]
In an extensive European study, the exposure to PM2.5 has been found to be associated with natural-cause mortality, even at concentrations well below the present European annual mean limit value [6]
An air quality monitoring station was installed in the campus of the Democritus

Summary

Introduction

Air pollution is a threat to our lives [1,2]. The exposure to PM2.5 has been associated with respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases among other health issues. It has been reported that such an exposure may make the population more susceptible to COVID-19 [4,5]. In an extensive European study, the exposure to PM2.5 has been found to be associated with natural-cause mortality, even at concentrations well below the present European annual mean limit value [6]. The EU limit value for the fine particles is 25 μg m−3 , as an annual mean. The WHO air quality guideline values are: 10 μg m−3 annual mean and 25 μg m−3 as a 24-h mean. The US EPA in 2020 announced the National Ambient Air

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