Study and evaluation of atmospheric pollution in Spain: necessary measures arising from the EC directive on PM_(10) and PM_(2.5) particles in the ceramic industry

摘要

The European Commission Directive, 1999/30/ EC,approved on the 22nd of April 1999, on atmospheric particlesestablishes a standard that is more stringent than the current one.This Directive proposes the monitoring of particles lower than 10#mu#m (PM_(10), thoracic particles) based on health impactcriteria. The proposed EC limits are 40 #mu#gPM_(10)··~m(-3)and 20 #mu#gPM_(10) ·m~(-3) as annual means in 2005 and2010, respectively. In accordance with the European Commission(EC), the future PM_(10) limits will be revised in 2003 if theEuropean States can demonstrate that the exceedances of the newlimits are attributed to natural inputs. The exceedances due tonatural inputs are more frequent in Mediterranean countries due tothe re-suspension of natural soil particles and to the higherfrequency of Saharan air mass intrusions. This study summarisesthe preliminary results obtained from two research projects inSpain focused on: 1) establishing the criteria for the discriminationof natural / anthropogenic inputs of PM_(10); 2) identifying theevents when the proposed limits are exceeded by natural inputs and3) determining the most suitable monitoring parameter, PM_(10)or PM_(2.5), in order to avoid natural interference. Given theimportance of the ceramic industry in Castello, special attentionwill be placed on the preliminary results obtained this area.