Particulate matter and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon air pollution in areas of Bucharest with heavy road traffic

Abstract

This study presents the results from two tests performed in one of Bucharest’s main crossroads during the summer and winter of 2010. These tests monitored the air pollution based on PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulate matter as well as the total suspended particles (TSP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The PM2.5 concentration varied between 21.9 and 56.6 µg/m3, the higher concentrations being found during the winter. The PM2.5 concentration contributed 92% of the PM10 concentration in the winter and 79% in the summer. The relatively high molecular weight PAHs (4–6 rings), which are typical of traffic emissions, were found in all three particulate matter fractions. The most abundant PAH, benzo[k]fluoranthene, was found in PM2.5 between 1.96 - 22.5 ng/m3. Based on the results, we showed that the air pollution level with particulate matter PM 2.5 and PAH detected in the ruttier traffic conditions is frequently above the legal limit having a potential harmful effect on the population.