Assessment of Air Quality Status in Wuhan, China

Jiabei Song,Linjun Li,Wu Guang,Rongbiao Xiang

doi:10.3390/atmos7040056

Abstract

In this study, air quality characteristics in Wuhan were assessed through descriptive statistics and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). Results show that air quality has slightly improved over the recent years. While the NO2 concentration is still increasing, the PM10 concentration shows a clearly downward trend with some small fluctuations. In addition, the SO2 concentration has steadily decreased since 2008. Nevertheless, the current level of air pollutants is still quite high, with the PM10 and NO2 levels exceeding the air quality standard. Seasonal variation exists consistently for all the pollutants, with the highest concentration in winter and the lowest in summer. Cluster analysis evidenced that nine urban monitoring sites could be classified into three clusters. Cluster I consists of only the LY site, which is located in the famous East Lake scenic area with the best air quality. Cluster II corresponds to three monitoring sites with heavily trafficked roads nearby, where relatively severe NO2 pollution occurred. Cluster III is comprised of the remaining five sites, characterized by PM10 and SO2 pollution.

Highlights

Air pollution impacts human health, wellbeing and the environment
Issued new information estimating that outdoor air pollution in both cities and rural areas was responsible for the deaths of some 3.7 million people worldwide under the age of 60 in 2012
All the SO2 concentrations were below the limit value of 60 μg/m3 as set in the Chinese national ambient air quality standard (CNAAQS)

Summary

Introduction

Air pollution impacts human health, wellbeing and the environment. In March 2014, the WHO issued new information estimating that outdoor air pollution in both cities and rural areas was responsible for the deaths of some 3.7 million people worldwide under the age of 60 in 2012. Around seven million people died—one in eight of total global deaths—as a result of the joint effects of household and ambient air pollution in 2012. This finding more than doubles previous estimates and confirms that air pollution is the world’s largest single environmental health risk [1].

Methods

Results

Conclusion