Analysis and Evaluation of Selected Local-Scale PM sub(10) Air Pollution Episodes in Four European Cities: Helsinki, London, Milan and Oslo

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) 2005-05, Vol.39 (15), p.2759-2759
• Main Authors: Kukkonen, Jaakko, Pohjola, Mia, Sokhi, Ranjeet S, Luhana, Lakhu, Kitwiroon, Nutthida, Fragkou, Lia, Rantamaki, Minna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1352-2310
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2004.09.090

An analysis is presented of PM sub(10) air-pollution episodes in Helsinki, Finland; Oslo, Norway; London, UK; and Milan, Italy, in relation to prevailing meteorological conditions, local emissions, and regional and long-range-transport background concentrations. The topography and main emission sources of each city are described, as are the selected air-quality and meteorological measuring stations and the methods used to measure PM sub(10) concentrations. Results indicated that the selected episodes were caused mainly by domestic wood burning in Oslo but also by local traffic, while the Helsinki episodes were attributed to suspended dust and local traffic emissions. In London and Milan, the causes were attributed to urban traffic and long-range transport. Areas of high pressure were implicated in Oslo, Helsinki, and London, while a high-pressure ridge was associated with the episodes in Milan. In addition, strong ground-based or slightly elevated temperature inversions prevailed during the episodes in Oslo, Helsinki, and Milan, and there was a slight ground-based inversion present during the London episodes.