Title: Characteristics and expected health implications of annual PM₁₀ concentrations in Athens, Greece

Authors: Ilias Mavroidis, Archontoula Chaloulakou

Addresses: Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece. ' Chemical Engineering Department, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou Str., 15773 Zografou, Athens, Greece

Abstract: Several characteristics of the annual PM₁₀ concentrations in the Athens conurbation, together with the expected health implications, are investigated using data from the Athens network of monitoring stations. Annual PM₁₀ concentrations show a decreasing trend; however, concentration levels are still high, exceeding the current EU air quality standard at four monitoring stations and the Air Quality Guideline (AQG) suggested by WHO at all eight stations. PM₁₀ concentrations correlate well with those of NO_x and NO₂, while the results suggest that approximately 54% of the PM₁₀ fraction is attributable to road traffic. An analysis of the health implications of the observed PM₁₀ levels, based on a dose–response relationship, is coupled with available health-related data from the Athens area. This analysis suggests that if PM₁₀ concentrations were reduced to the levels of the AQGs, then a significant decrease in respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions and mortality would be observed.

Keywords: air quality guidelines; PM10; monitoring; traffic; urban pollution; NOx; NO2; health effects; exposure response; cardiovascular problems; respiratory problems; hospital admissions; nitrogen oxides; air pollution; Athens; Greece; mortality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2010.032249

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2010 Vol.41 No.1/2, pp.124 - 139

Published online: 17 Mar 2010 *

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