Influence of meteorological conditions on the variability of indoor and outdoor particulate matter concentrations in a selected Polish health resort

Abstract

Abstract The article evaluates air pollution by particulate matter (PM) in indoor and outdoor air in one of the Polish health resorts, where children and adults with respiratory diseases are treated. The highest indoor PM concentrations were recorded during the winter season. Therefore, the maximum average daily concentration values in indoor air for the PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 fractions were 50, 42 and 23 µg/m3, respectively. In the case of outdoor air, the highest average daily concentrations of PM2.5 reached a value of 40 µg/m3. The analyses and backward trajectories of episodes of high PM concentrations showed the impact of supra-regional sources and the influx of pollutants from North Africa on the variability of PM concentrations. The correlation between selected meteorological parameters and PM concentrations shows the relationship between PM concentrations and wind speed. For example, the correlation coefficients between PM1(I) and PM1(O) concentrations and wind speed were − 0.8 and − 0.7 respectively. These factors determined episodes of high PM concentrations during winter periods in the outdoor air, which were then transferred to the indoor air. Elevated concentrations in indoor air during summer were also influenced by chimney/gravity ventilation and the appearance of reverse chimney effect.

Keywords

• Air pollution
• PM10
• PM2.5
• PM1
• Indoor and outdoor air quality
• Health resort