Changes in air particulate matter concentration in Kraków in years 2009-2019 in relation to air pollution prevention and control action

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Last decades brought more interest to air pollution harmful effect; evidence has emerged that air pollution can affect every major organ system. Kraków, the second largest city in Poland, from years belongs to the most polluted cities in Europe. Prospective cohort study conducted in Krakow confirmed detrimental effects of air pollution. Increased awareness of health consequences forced local government to undertake some mitigation measures. The aim of the current study was to asses relationship between preventing actions undertaken in Kraków and changes of particular matter levels during heating seasons in years 2009 – 2019. METHODS: Information about daily particulate matter concentration (PM10 and PM2.5) levels were obtained from Provincial Environmental Protection Inspectorate in Krakow. As the increased air pollution in Poland shows seasonal variability, we assessed the changes in mean concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 in heating season only. RESULTS:During the years 2009-2019 local government implemented a series of regulations and took some control actions to improve air quality, for example Inspections of waste incineration in heating stoves, inventory of sources of emission, Local Shield program for the poorest - co-financing program to help residents replace coal stoves to one from pro-ecological system, prohibiting the heating of houses / flats with low-quality coal, developing proposals for changes in Polish law that would enable an effective fight against pollution at the local level; and ultimately, from September 1, 2019, a total ban on burning solid fuels in the area of the municipality of Kraków. During analyzed time period the level of particulate matter in air pollution dropped gradually, decreasing by approximately 18.1 ug/m3 for PM10 and 21.6 ug/m3 for PM2.5. Also, number of days with exceeded the permissible level of pollution decreased. CONCLUSIONS:Implemented regulations and control actions resulted in lowering level of particulate matter air pollution. KEYWORDS: Air pollution, Particulate matter, Policy and practice