Abstract
An assessment of the air quality of Győr (Hungary) was performed by determining the ambient concentrations of PM10, PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and regulated heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As and Ni) in the period of 2008−2012. The PM10 concentrations ranged from 7.90 to 119.14 μg/m3 with the mean value of 34.94 μg/m3. On average, the total PAHs (sum of the concentrations of 18 individual PAH compounds) and the four metals contents in the PM10 fraction amounted to 0.04 and 0.06 %, respectively. The total PAH concentrations ranged from 0.29 to 88.30 ng/m3, which were predominated by intermediate and high molecular weight PAHs. Higher concentrations of both PM10 and PAHs were detected in samples collected in the heating seasons. The mean metallic concentrations calculated for the 5-year sampling period were found in decreasing order of Pb (14.47 ng/m3), Ni (3.73 ng/m3), As (0.64 ng/m3) and Cd (0.60 ng/m3). Very little seasonal variation was observed in metal concentrations. Moreover, the comparison of the PM10, bezo[a]pyrene (BaP) and heavy metal concentrations determined with other Hungarian and European urban sites and the limit or target values for health protection has revealed that the air quality of Győr and other Hungarian cities for the above pollutants generally corresponds to the EU average. It is important to reduce PM10 and BaP pollution to concentrations lower than those specified in current legislation. However, the Hungarian cities have excellent air quality with respect to heavy metals.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson JO, Thundiyil JG, Stolbach A (2012) Clearing the air: a review of the effects of particulate matter air pollution on human health. J Med Toxicol 8(2):166–175. doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0203-1
Araujo JA (2011) Particulate air pollution, systemic oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Air Qual Atmos Health 4(1):79–93. doi:10.1007/s11869-010-0101-8
ATSDR (1995) Toxicological profile for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. U.S. Department of Health and Human services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta
ATSDR (2005) Toxicological profile for nickel. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta
ATSDR (2007a) Toxicological profile for arsenic. U.S. Department of Health and Human services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta
ATSDR (2007b) Toxicological profile for lead. U.S. Department of Health and Human services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta
ATSDR (2008) Draft toxicological profile for cadmium. U.S. Department of Health and Human services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta
Barlow TJ, Boulter PG, McCrae IS, Sivell P, Harrison RM, Carruthers D, Stocker J (2007) Non-exhaust particulate matter emissions from road traffic: a summary report. TRL report for DEFRA, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly Government, and the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland
Breysee PN, Delfino RJ, Dominici F, Elder ACP, Frampton MW, Froines JR, Geyh AS, Godleski JJ, Gold DR, Hopke PK, Koutrakis P, Li N, Oberdörster G, Pinkerton KE, Samet JM, Utel MJ, Wexler AS (2013) US EPA particulate matter research centers: summary of research results for 2005–2011. Air Qual Atmos Health 6(2):333–355. doi:10.1007/s11869-012-0181-8
Brown RJC, Yardley RE, Muhunthan D, Butterfield DM, Williams M, Woods PT, Brown AS, Goddard SL (2008) Twenty-five years of nationwide ambient metals measurement in the United Kingdom: concentration levels and trends. Environ Monit Assess 142(1–3):127–140. doi:10.1007/s10661-007-9914-9
Burkart K, Nehls I, Win T, Endlicher W (2013) The carcinogenic risk and variability of particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with consideration of meteorological conditions. Air Qual Atmos Health 6(1):27–38. doi:10.1007/s11869-011-0135-6
Cheng J, Yuan T, Wu Q, Zhao W, Xie H, Ma Y, Ma J, Wang W (2007) PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cancer risk estimation in the atmosphere surrounding an industrial area of Shanghai, China. Water Air Soil Pollut 183(1–4):437–446. doi:10.1007/s11270-007-9392-2
EEA (2013) Air quality in Europe—2013 report. European Environment Agency, Luxembourg
Ferenczi Z (2013) Predictability analysis of the PM2.5 and PM10 concentration in Budapest. Időjárás. Q J Hung Meteorol Serv 117(4):359–375
Grahame T, Schlesinge RB (2010) Cardiovascular health and particulate vehicular emissions: a critical evaluation of the evidence. Air Qual Atmos Health 3(1):3–27. doi:10.1007/s11869-009-0047-x
HMS (2009) Summary of the PM10 sampling program in 2008. Hungarian Meteorological Service (HMS), Reference Centre for Air Quality Protection, Budapest, in Hungarian
HMS (2010) Summary of the PM10 sampling program in 2009. Hungarian Meteorological Service (HMS), Reference Centre for Air Quality Protection, Budapest, in Hungarian
HMS (2011) Summary of the PM10 sampling program in 2010. Hungarian Meteorological Service (HMS), Reference Centre for Air Quality Protection, Budapest, in Hungarian
HMS (2012) Summary of the PM10 sampling program in 2011. Hungarian Meteorological Service (HMS), Reference Centre for Air Quality Protection, Budapest, in Hungarian
HMS (2013) Summary of the PM10 sampling program in 2012. Hungarian Meteorological Service (HMS), Reference Centre for Air Quality Protection, Budapest, in Hungarian
Hungarian Directive (2011) Guidelines for the air load levels and the stationary point source emissions. 4/2011 (I.14.) VM. Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development, Budapest, in Hungarian
Kaur S, Senthilkumar K, Verma VK, Kumar B, Kumar S (2013) Preliminary analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air particles (PM10) in Amritsar, India: Sources, apportionment, and possible risk implications to humans. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 65(3):382–395. doi:10.1007/s00244-013-9912-6
Khalili NR, Scheff PA, Holsen TM (1995) PAH source fingerprints for coke ovens, diesel and gasoline engines, highway tunnels, and wood combustion emissions. Atmos Environ 29(4):533–542. doi:10.1016/1352-2310(94)00275-P
Kim KH, Mishra VK, Kang CH, Choi KC, Kim YJ, Kim DS, Youn YH, Lee JH (2002) The metallic composition of aerosols at three monitoring sites in Korea during winter 2002. Environ Monit Assess 121(1–3):381–399. doi:10.1007/s10661-005-9136-y
Manoli E, Samara C (1999) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in natural waters: sources, occurrence and analysis. Trends Anal Chem 18(6):417–428. doi:10.1016/S0165-9936(99)00111-9
Mehta S, Shin H, Burnett R, North T, Cohen AJ (2013) Ambient particulate air pollution and acute lower respiratory infections: a systematic review and implications for estimating the global burden of disease. Air Qual Atmos Health 6(1):69–83. doi:10.1007/s11869-011-0146-3
MSZ EN 12341:2000 (2000) Air quality. Determination of the PM10 fraction of suspended particulate matter. Reference method and field test procedure to demonstrate reference equivalence of measurement methods. Hungarian Standard Association, Budapest
MSZ EN 14902:2006 (2006) Ambient air quality. Standard method for the measurement of Pb, Cd, As and Ni in the PM10 fraction of suspended particulate matter. Hungarian Standard Association, Budapest
MSZ EN 15549:2008 (2008) Air quality. Standard method for measurement of the concentration of benzo[a]pyrene in ambient air. Hungarian Standard Association, Budapest
Muránszky G, Óvári M, Virág I, Csiba P, Dobai R, Gy Z (2011) Chemical characterization of PM10 fractions of urban aerosol. Microchem J 98(1):1–10. doi:10.1016/j.microc.2010.10.002
Newhook R, Hirtle H, Byrne K, Meek ME (2003) Releases from copper smelters and refineries and zinc plants in Canada: human health exposure and risk characterization. Sci Total Environ 301(1–3):23–41. doi:10.1016/S0048-9697(02)00229-2
Pastuszka JS, Rogula-Kozlowska W, Zajusz-Zubek E (2010) Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 and associated heavy metals at the crossroads and urban background site in Zabrze, Upper Silesia, Poland, during the smog episodes. Environ Monit Assess 168(1–4):613–627. doi:10.1007/s10661-009-1138-8
Ravindra K, Stranger M, Van Grieken R (2008a) Chemical characterization and 3 multivariate analysis of atmospheric PM2.5 particles. J Atmos Chem 59(3):199–218. doi:10.1007/s10874-008-9102-5
Ravindra K, Sokhi R, Van Grieken R (2008b) Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: source attribution, emission factors and regulation. Atmos Environ 42(13):2895–2921. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.12.010
Rodríguez S, Querol X, Alastuey A, Rosa J (2007) Atmospheric particulate matter and air quality in the Mediterranean: a review. Environ Chem Lett 5:1–7. doi:10.1007/s10311-006-0071-0
Saraga DE, Maggos TE, Sfetsos A, Tolis EI, Andronopoulos S, Bartzis JG, Vasilakos C (2010) PAHs sources contribution to the air quality of an office environment: experimental results and receptor model (PMF) application. Air Qual Atmos Health 3(4):225–234. doi:10.1007/s11869-010-0074-7
Singh R, Sharma BS (2012) Composition, seasonal variation and sources of PM10 from world heritage site Taj Mahal, Agra. Environ Monit Assess 184(1–3):5945–5956. doi:10.1007/s10661-011-2392-0
Sram RJ, Binkova B, Beskid O, Milcova A, Rossner P, Rossner P Jr, Rossnerova A, Solansky I, Topinka J (2011) Biomarkers of exposure and effect—interpretation in human risk assessment. Air Qual Atmos Health 4(3–4):161–167. doi:10.1007/s11869-011-0133-8
Srogi K (2007) Monitoring of environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a review. Environ Chem Lett 5:169–195. doi:10.1007/s10311-007-0095-0
Staniszewska M, Graca B, Bełdowska M, Saniewska D (2013) Factors controlling benzo(a)pyrene concentration in aerosols in the urbanized coastal zone. A case study: Gdynia, Poland (Southern Baltic Sea). Environ Sci Pollut Res 20(6):4154–4163. doi:10.1007/s11356-012-1315-0
Sun Y, Zhuang G, Wang Y, Han L, Guo J, Dan M, Zhang W, Hao Z (2004) The air-borne particulate pollution in Beijing—concentration, composition, distribution and sources. Atmos Environ 38(35):5991–6004. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2004.07.009
Thorpe A, Harrison RM (2008) Sources and properties of non-exhaust particulate matter from road traffic: a review. Sci Total Environ 400(1–3):270–282. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.06.007
Vaskövi B, Udvardy O, Szalkai M, Anda E, Beregszászi T, Nádor G, Varró MJ, Hollósy G, Paller J, Brunekreef B, Beelen R, Meliefste K, Hoek G, Wang M, Eeftens M, Hoogh KD, Rudnai P (2014) Spatial distribution of air pollution in Győr, based on the measurement results of the escape project. Egészségtudomány (Health Sci) 18(1):8–33 (in Hungarian)
WHO (2000) Air quality guidelines for Europe. World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen
WHO (2005) WHO air quality guidelines, global update 2005. World Health Organization; Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen
Yunker MB, Macdonald RW, Vingarzan R, Mitchell HR, Goyette D, Sylvestre S (2002) PAHs in the Fraser River basin: a critical appraisal of PAH ratios as indicators of PAH source and composition. Org Geochem 33(4):489–515. doi:10.1016/S0146-6380(02)00002-5
Acknowledgements
This work was funded by the Széchenyi István University, Hungary. We are indebted to István Vass, Bálint Kauker, Zsuzsanna Károly Némethné, Tünde Takács Kovácsné, Lajosné Bakódy and Péter Lautner (North Transdanubian Regional Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation Inspectorate Laboratory, Hungary) for chemical analyses, data and site information.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Szabó, J., Nagy, A.S. & Erdős, J. Ambient concentrations of PM10, PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals in an urban site of Győr, Hungary. Air Qual Atmos Health 8, 229–241 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-015-0318-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-015-0318-7