Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of the air pollution in a Mediterranean region by the air quality index

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The increasing expansion of the cities together with activities carried out on the environment by men have contributed to the deterioration of air quality. Air quality index measures how much air is free from pollution. Being aware of the healthiness of the breathed air is a right for the people. Public authorities must constantly inform the population on air quality status. Even though several pollutants are monitored by the air quality monitoring networks, providing a significant amount of data, their interpretation and presentation to the population by the public authorities is a difficult task. Some countries, for several years, have adopted evaluation procedures through daily indices that succinctly describe the air quality status in different areas of the city. The use of an index which is able to give a simple and quick information to the population represents a possible solution for the public authorities. Concerning a Mediterranean area, it has not yet been possible to adopt a single indicator to be used for informing the population. In this work, the air quality status is highlighted by the air quality index (AQI) whose purpose is to inform, in a simple and immediate way, the population. Analyzing the AQI’s trend from 2013 to 2015, it was possible to assess the air quality status, obtaining an overall scenario for the purpose of protecting human health and the ecosystems. We point out that this kind of research could be applied to every region or municipality.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bishoi, B., Prakash, A., & Jain, V. K. (2009). A comparative study of air quality index based on factor analysis and US-EPA methods for an urban environment. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 9(1), 1–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruno, F., & Cocchi, D. (2002). A unified strategy for building simple air quality indices. Environmetrics, 13(3), 243–261.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brusca, S., Famoso, F., Lanzafame, R., Mauro, S., Garrano, A. M. C., & Monforte, P. (2016). Theoretical and experimental study of Gaussian plume model in small scale system. Energy Procedia, 101, 58–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brusca, S., Famoso, F., Lanzafame, R., Messina, M., & Monforte, P. (2017). Placement optimization of biodiesel production plant by means of centroid mathematical method. Energy Procedia, 126, 353–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caramagna, A., Famoso, F., Lanzafame, R., & Monforte, P. (2015). Analysis of vertical profile of particulates dispersion in function of the aerodynamic diameter at a congested road in Catania. Energy Procedia, 82, 702–707.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuspilici, A., Monforte, P., & Ragusa, M. A. (2017). Study of Saharan dust influence on PM10 measures in Sicily from 2013 to 2015. Ecological Indicators, 76, 297–303.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D'Amato, G., Cecchi, L., D'amato, M., & Liccardi, G. (2010). Urban air pollution and climate change as environmental risk factors of respiratory allergy: An update. Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology, 20(2), 95–102.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dockery, D. W., & Stone, P. H. (2007). Cardiovascular risks from fine particulate air pollution. The New England Journal of Medicine, 356, 511–513. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMe068274.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duro, A., Piccione, V., Ragusa, M. A., & Veneziano, V. (2014). New enviromentally sensitive patch index-ESPI-for MEDALUS protocol. AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4904593.

  • Duro, A., Piccione, V., Ragusa, M. A., & Veneziano, V. (2016a). The environmentally sensitive index patch applied to MEDALUS climate quality index. AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4952349.

  • Duro, A., Piccione, V., Ragusa, M. A., Rapicavoli, V. R., Veneziano, V. (2016b). An index monitoring the sensitivity to desertification: ESPI. Seventh Workshop Dynamical Systems Applied to Biology and Natural Sciences DSABNS. http://dsabns2016.rd.ciencias.ulisboa.pt/GeneralFiles/Inv.Ragusa.pdf.

  • Duro, A., Piccione, V., Ragusa, M. A., Rapicavoli, V., & Veneziano, V. (2017). Enviromentally sensitive patch index of desertification risk applied to the main habitats of Sicily. AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4992663.

  • Famoso, F., Lanzafame, R., Monforte, P., Oliveri, C., & Scandura, P. F. (2015). Air quality data for Catania: Analysis and investigation case study 2012-2013. Energy Procedia, 81, 644–654.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Famoso, F., Wilson, J., Monforte, P., Brusca, S., & Lulla, V. (2017). Measurement and modeling of ground-level ozone concentration in Catania, Italy using biophysical remote sensing and GIS. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 12, 10551–10562.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitz-Simons, T. (1999). Guideline for reporting of daily air quality: air quality index (AQI) 99/010). Resource document.. Environmental Protection Agency (United States). https://www.osti.gov/biblio/698786.

  • Gilli, G., Schilirò, T., Bertello, A. (2002). Inquinamento atmosferico e salute. Un documento approfondito sui temi della qualità dell’aria e delle implicazioni sulla salute. www.provincia.torino.it/ambiente/file-storage/download/inquinamento/pdf/iqa.pdf.

  • Kampa, M., & Castanas, E. (2008). Human health effects of air pollution. Environmental Pollution, 151(2), 362–367.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kassomenos, P., Skouloudis, A. N., Lykoudis, S., & Flocas, H. A. (1999). Air-quality indicators for uniform indexing of atmospheric pollution over large metropolitan areas. Atmospheric Environment, 33(12), 1861–1879.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kyrkilis, G., Chaloulakou, A., & Kassomenos, P. A. (2007). Development of an aggregate air quality index for an urban Mediterranean agglomeration: Relation to potential health effects. Environment International, 33(5), 670–676.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lanzafame, R., Famoso, F., Monforte, P., & Scandura, P. F. (2015). Analysis of the covenant of mayors initiative in Sicily. Energy Procedia, 81, 482–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lanzafame, R., Monforte, P., & Scandura, P. F. (2016). Comparative analyses of urban air quality monitoring systems: Passive sampling and continuous monitoring stations. Energy Procedia, 101, 321–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lelieveld, J., Evans, J. S., Fnais, M., Giannadaki, D., & Pozzer, A. (2015). The contribution of outdoor air pollution sources to premature mortality on a global scale. Nature, 525(7569), 367–371.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monforte, P. (2017a). Optimization of a reheat in an incineration plant for the reduction of emissions pollutants. Application of over fire air technique. International Conference for Young Researchers in Informatics, Mathematics and Engineering, ICYRIME 2017, http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1852/p07.pdf.

  • Monforte, P. (2017b). Steam generator performance by means of over fire air and reburning techniques. Symposium for Young Scientists in Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, SYSTEM 2017, http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1853/p08.pdf.

  • Murena, F. (2004). Measuring air quality over large urban areas: Development and application of an air pollution index at the urban area of Naples. Atmospheric Environment, 38(36), 6195–6202.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murena, F., Murena, F., & Vorraro, F. (2003). Vertical gradients of benzene concentration in a deep street canyon in the urban area of Naples. Atmospheric Environment, 37(35), 4853–4859.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norris, G., YoungPong, S. N., Koenig, J. Q., Larson, T. V., Sheppard, L., & Stout, J. W. (1999). An association between fine particles and asthma emergency department visits for children in Seattle. Environmental Health Perspectives, 107(6), 489–493.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ostro, B., Broadwin, R., Green, S., Feng, W. Y., & Lipsett, M. (2006). Fine particulate air pollution and mortality in nine California counties: Results from CALFINE. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114, 29–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ott, W. R., & Hunt Jr., W. F. (1976). A quantitative evaluation of the pollutant standards index. Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, 26(11), 1050–1054.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poupkou, A., Nastos, P., Melas, D., & Zerefos, C. (2011). Climatology of discomfort index and air quality index in a large urban Mediterranean agglomeration. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 222(1–4), 163–183.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quénol, H., Bridier, S., Frangi, J. P., Beltrando, G., & De Rosny, G. (2006). Space-time variability factors from air pollution inside Paris by comeasurement. Erdkunde, 60, 40–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ragusa, M. A., & Rapicavoli, V. (2017). Levels of desertification risk in the Sicilian forests according to MEDALUS-ESPI protocol. AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4992674.

  • Rocha, S. N. G., Pérez, J. C., & Recio, J. M. B. (2016). Air quality trends in metropolitan zones in Veracruz, México. Open Journal of Air Pollution, 5(02), 64–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Setälä, H., Viippola, V., Rantalainen, A. L., Pennanen, A., & Yli-Pelkonen, V. (2013). Does urban vegetation mitigate air pollution in northern conditions? Environmental Pollution, 183, 104–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strano, S., Lanzafame, R., Monforte, P., & Patanè, G. (2015). Trend analysis of air quality index in Catania from 2010 to 2014. Energy Procedia, 82, 708–715.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werner, P., Henseling, K. O., Lützkendorf, T., Deilmann, C., & Fritsche, U. R. (2002). Criteria and indicators for environmentally sustainable construction and housing-an ongoing research project in Germany. Energy, 239, 1000.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organisation (WHO). (2000). WHO air quality guidelines. Copenhagen: Regional Office for Europe.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thanks the referees for the careful remarks that give us the opportunity to improve the paper.

Funding

The second author is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (Agreement number 02.03.21.0008).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy

    Pietro Monforte & Maria Alessandra Ragusa

  2. RUDN University, 6 Miklukho - Maklay St., Moscow, Russia, 117198

    Maria Alessandra Ragusa

Authors
  1. Pietro Monforte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maria Alessandra Ragusa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pietro Monforte.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Monforte, P., Ragusa, M.A. Evaluation of the air pollution in a Mediterranean region by the air quality index. Environ Monit Assess 190, 625 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-7006-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-7006-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation