Characteristics of air quality and sources affecting high levels of PM(10) and PM(2.5) in Poland, Upper Silesia urban area

The reports concerning air quality published by WHO and EEA showed that 33 out of 50 cities with highest concentration of particulate matter (PM)(2.5) in UE are located in Poland. Various investigations identify main health outcomes to be consistently related to PM(10) and PM(2.5). Increased concentration of PM is responsible for 47.3 thousands of premature deaths every year in Poland. The objective of this study was the measurement-based assessment for determining whether the concentrations of PM(10) and PM(2.5) are within admissible limits or exceeded in Silesia Province. The data provided by the Voivodship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection in Katowice was used in the analysis. The measurements were made in years 2009–2016 for PM(2.5) and 2014–2017 for PM(10) in three measurement stations: two in Katowice (capital of Silesia Province) and one in Żory. The increase in the number of excessive levels of average daily PM(10) concentration in year 2017 were observed in all three measurement stations, both for the acceptable level, information and alarm level, with lack or singular excessive levels in the previous years. The increase in average annual PM(2.5) concentrations in year 2016 was also observed, as compared to the previous year in all three measurement stations. The highest pollution is observed in winter. The main cause of exceeded acceptable PM concentrations in Poland is household heating systems, boilers and furnaces burnt with coal or wood, and chimneys. In Silesian Province, the air quality is poor and has deteriorated over the last year. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10661-018-6797-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.