Case study on The Assessment of Air Quality and Pollution in a Sensitive Area of Bucharest

Abstract

Monitoring air quality in urban areas is essential due to increased pollution and health hazards. In this study, the air quality in the busiest area of Bucharest’s central was assessed, and the main car-related pollutants, NO2 and PM10, have been examined in relation to the influence of meteorological parameters. During the measurement campaign, the monitored NO2 pollutant concentration values did not exceed the limit value (LV), and the measured NO2 exceeded this limit on day 1. Although the monitored NO2 concentrations had the same pattern as the measured NO2 concentrations; however, there is a delay in the amplitude of the values, which can be explained by the location of each measurement point in relation to the main source of pollution. The particulate matter PM10 showed exceedances of the daily limit values (DLV) in conditions of intense traffic, and the decrease in concentrations was related to the conditions of increased precipitation and humidity. In order to adopt the most effective measurements to reduce pollution in metropolitan areas, it is crucial to evaluate the air quality and identify the primary sources of pollutants.