Czech air quality monitoring and receptor modeling study

An ongoing air quality monitoring program in the Czech Republic has provided nearly continuous data for the concentrations of aerosol and gas-phase pollutants since its inception in February 1992. In addition to PM-2.5 concentrations, the concentrations of sulfate, organic carbon, elemental carbon, trace elements (Al-Pb), and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also measured. Fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) was composed mainly of organic carbon and sulfate with smaller amounts of trace metals. Coarse particle mass concentrations were typically between 10 and 30% of PM-2.5 concentrations. The chemical composition of emissions from power plants, residential space heating, local factories, and motor vehicles was also characterized. The ambient monitoring and source characterization data were then used in receptor modeling calculations, the results of which indicate that residential space heating and power plant emissions accounted for most of fine particle mass concentrations observed during winter air pollution episodes. Motor vehicles, incinerators, and wind blown dust contributed to the balance of the fine particle mass. Peak 24-h average TSP and SO2 concentrations (1100 and 800 mu g/m(3), respectively) obtained at the main monitoring site at Teplice in northern Bohemia during a severe air pollution episode in 1993 were within a factor of 2 of smoke and SO2 concentrations (1800 and 1600 mu g/m(3)) measured in London during the smog episode of December 5-9, 1952. That pollution episode was thought to have contributed to a substantial increase in mortality.