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[ZR08] Air pollution with particulate matter
State

The indicator shows the number of days per year when the 24-hour limit concentration 50 µg/m3 and the annual limit value 40 µg/m3 were exceeded in the selected Slovenian urban areas that are most affected by pollution.

“Particulate matter” means a combination of finely divided solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, of various physical and chemical compositions.

A portion of airborne particles is formed as a consequence of direct emissions (primary particles), others are formed as products of various processes in the atmosphere (secondary particles).

Particle size distribution is usually described in terms of trimodal size distribution. Particles ranging between 0.01 and 0.1 µm belong in the so-called nucleation area, particles ranging between 0.1 and 1 µm belong in the accumulation area, and particles larger than 1 µm are known as coarse particles.

Charts

Figure ZR08-1: Number of days with exceeded 24-hour limit concentration PM10 50 µg/m3, which may not be exceeded more than 35 times per calendar year
Sources:

National authomatic measurement air quality network database, Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, 2008

Show data
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Ljubljana number of days np np np np 83 116 87 71 48 48
Maribor number of days np np np np 153 185 130 103 111 92
Celje number of days 36 67 65 64 116 146 80 97 60 51
Murska Sobota - Rakičan number of days np np np np 86 86 32 67 54 37
Koper number of days np np np np np np np np 41 19
Nova Gorica number of days np np np np 69 50 48 43 50 40
Trbovlje number of days 123 119 110 53 117 139 59 160 89 83
Zagorje number of days np np np np 133 140 109 150 109 100
Iskrba number of days np np np np np np np 5 3 0
Figure ZR08-2: Average annual concentration (annual limit value is 40 µg/m3)
Sources:

National authomatic measurement air quality network database, Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, 2008

Show data
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Ljubljana micro g/m3 np np np np 42 46 41 37 33 32
Maribor micro g/m3 np np np np 50 58 46 43 43 40
Celje micro g/m3 33 36 36 35 46 53 40 43 35 32
Murska Sobota-Rakičan micro g/m3 np np np np 40 43 31 37 34 30
Koper micro g/m3 np np np np np np np np 31 29
Nova Gorica micro g/m3 np np np np 39 37 34 34 34 33
Trbovlje micro g/m3 48 45 47 39 47 52 40 55 40 37
Zagorje micro g/m3 np np np np 47 51 45 52 46 41
Iskrba micro g/m3 np np np np np np np 16 14 15

Goals

In the Decree on Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Particulate Matter and Lead in Ambient Air (OJ RS No 52/02), Slovenian domestic legislation was brought in line with the provisions of the EU Directive (1999/30/EC), which determines the 24-hour limit concentration value at 50 µg/m3, which is not to be exceeded more than 35 times per calendar year, and annual limit value at 40 µg/m3.

Measurements of particlulate matter (PM10) concentration levels in several urban areas came into practice with the introduction of a new air quality monitoring network (i.e. PHARE monitoring network) in March 2001. As is clearly evident from Figure ZR8-1, particulate matter poses a serious problem not only in Slovenian urban areas but also throughout Europe. In 2002, 24-hour limit values were exceeded more than 35 times per calendar year at five monitoring sites. Since the latter are mainly placed in heavy traffic locations, emissions from traffic bear a significant influence on particulate matter concentration levels in ambient air.

Methodology

The data for Slovenia are taken from the Automatic Air Quality Measurement Database (ANAS) managed by the Monitoring Office (Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia). The database is updated monthly; the data are available in their entirety upon the completion of final annual review.

Following the Guidance to member states on PM10 monitoring and intercomparisons with reference method (14 September 2004) the PM10 concentration values for 2002 include factor 1.3.

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Last modified
04.11.2008
Author(s)

Tanja Bolte, Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia