Title: Criteria for the assessment of air quality levels in homogeneous areas

Authors: Lucia Ramponi, Leonardo Benedusi, Alberto Toschi, Piero Pagotto

Addresses: Air Pollution Department, Technical functionary, Regione Emilia Romagna, Via dei Mille 21, 40121 Bologna, Italy. ' Air Pollution Department, Technical functionary, Provincia di Piacenza, Via Garibaldi, 50, 29100 Piacenza, Italy. ' Air Pollution Department, Technical functionary, Regione EmiliRomagna, Via dei Mille 21, 40121 Bologna, Italy. ' Air Pollution Department, Technical functionary, Regione Emilia Romagna, Via dei Mille 21, 40121 Bologna, Italy

Abstract: A methodology is proposed for the appraisal of the data to confront with air quality limits. The methodology assesses air quality levels on the basis of mean values calculated as an average of all data collected in homogeneous areas, from monitoring stations located in sites not conditioned from local sources emissions. The resulting value represents the air quality of the area better than a value obtained from a single station and could be a measure of the efficacy of actions implemented to improve or preserve air quality levels in that area.

Keywords: air quality assessment; homogeneous areas; PM10; plans monitoring; air pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2010.030878

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2010 Vol.40 No.1/2/3, pp.3 - 9

Published online: 11 Jan 2010 *

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