Study and evaluation of atmospheric pollution in Spain:: necessary measures arising from the EC Directive on PM10 and PM2.5 particles in the Ceramic industry

The European Commission Directive, 1999/30/EC, approved on the 22(nd) of April 1999, on atmospheric particles establishes a standard that is more stringent than the current one. This Directive proposes the monitoring of particles lower than 10 mu m (PM10 thoracic particles) based on health impact criteria. The proposed EC limits are 40 mu gPM(10).m(-3) and 20 mu gPM(10).m(-3) as annual means in 2005 and 2010, respectively. In accordance with the European Commission (EC), the future PM10 limits will be revised in 2003 if the European States can demonstrate that the exceedances of the new limits are attributed to natural inputs. The exceedances due to natural inputs are more frequent in Mediterranean countries due to the re-suspension of natural soil particles and to the higher frequency of Saharan air mass intrusions. This study summarises the preliminary results obtained from two research projects in Spain focused on: 1) establishing the criteria for the discrimination of natural/anthropogenic inputs of PM10; 2) identifying the events when the proposed limits are exceeded by natural inputs and 3) determining the most suitable monitoring parameter, PM10 or PM2.5, in order to avoid natural interference. Given the importance of the ceramic industry in Castello, special attention will be placed on the preliminary results obtained this area.