After an attack in the morning and improvement during the day, the smog returned on Tuesday evening, suffocating residents in some regions. There are places where the permissible standards are significantly exceeded. Check the air quality in your area.
On Tuesday at 8 p.m., the worst air quality, measured by the PM10 dust content, prevailed in Nowa Ruda. The local measuring station showed the concentration of harmful particles in the air at the level of 241 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). This means 401 percent of the daily norm.
Residents also breathed poor quality air: Lwowka Śląski – 156 µg/m (260% of the daily norm) i Lomza – 184 µg/m (306% of the daily norm).
In many other towns – especially in the south and west of the country – measuring stations showed unhealthy or average air quality.
When it comes to air quality measured by the content of PM2.5 particles in the air, the worst air quality was in Lwówek Śląski, where 137 µg/m3 was recorded, i.e. 380.5 percent. daily norm.
Poor air quality also prevailed in: Krakow at al. Krasiński – 96 µg / m (266.6 percent of the daily norm), Krakow on ul. Bulwarowa – 121 µg/m (336.1% of the daily norm), Jastrzębie-Zdrój – 103 µg/m (286.1% of the daily norm), Elk – 86 µg/m (238.8% of the daily norm).
As in the case of PM10 dust, the air of medium and unhealthy quality was also present in the south and west of Poland.
When the air is of good quality
We talk about good quality air when the concentration of harmful dust does not exceed:
– for PM10 dust – 60 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3);
– in the case of PM2.5 dust – 36 µg/m3;
– for benzene – 10 µg/m3.
Sources of PM10 dust emission (Polish Smog Alert)Polish Smog Alert
What is PM10
PM10 is a mixture of particles suspended in the air with a diameter not exceeding 10 micrometers. Its occurrence is associated, among others, with the combustion of solid and liquid fuels.
What is PM2.5
PM2.5 is a mixture of particles suspended in the air with a diameter not exceeding 2.5 micrometers. According to the World Health Organization, it is the most harmful atmospheric pollutant for humans. It reaches not only the respiratory system, but also the circulatory system. It stays in our body much longer.
What is benzene
Benzo(a)pyrene is a carcinogenic and mutagenic chemical compound that is a representative of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Benzo(a)pyrene exhibits low acute toxicity and high chronic toxicity, which is related to its ability to accumulate in the body.
Impact of air pollution on healthMaria Samczuk, Adam Ziemienowicz/PAP
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