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Description
The Regional Association of Territorial Cooperation of Teschen Silesia considers the measurement of air quality to be very important and has already participated in projects on this topic in the past (i-AIRP''s, CLAIRO, i-AIR REGION). The Czech-Polish border region has long been a problematic region affected by both local heating plants and industrial pollution. Although the fuel mix in this area is not exceptional and includes both gas heating and heating with solid fuels (wood, coal), the situation is becoming less predictable through current natural gas and electricity prices. The proposed project involves measurement of PMx (PM10, PM2.5) by equivalent on-line method at one location, gravimetric determination of PM10 at 10 locations and collection of 100 PAH samples in the 2023/2024 heating season (10 samples at 10 locations + 20 samples for control and blank). The sampling will be carried out using the technique required by Annex 1 of the Call by an authorised group. Subsequently, it will be analysed in the accredited laboratory of VŠB-TUO (partner). The quality control, inspection of equipment and data interpretation will be carried in accordance with the requirements of Annex 1 by VŠB-TUO. The results will be accessible from the municipality''s website.
Summary of project results
The Czech-Polish border region has long been a problematic area affected by both local heating sources and industrial burden. Although the fuel mix in this area is not particularly unique, including both gas heating and solid fuel heating (wood, coal), the situation is becoming unclear due to current gas and electricity prices. The aim of the project was to measure the Czech-Polish border region with regard to the presence of local heating systems and the fuels used. The project utilized the reference method for measuring PMx, meteorological parameters, and the accredited method for PAH analysis. Sampling was conducted by the authorized group Envitech Bohemia s.r.o., and the samples were subsequently analyzed in the accredited laboratory at VSB TU Ostrava. The results are available on the project portal. The project also included a survey of residents on the topic of local heating.
The border region is characterized by typical Silesian bulding development – a densely populated area without clear boundaries of settlements, sharing similar habits, approaches to ecology, and heating methods. At the same time, it the worst area in the Czech Republic and one of the worst in Europe in terms of PMx and benzo(a)pyrene concentrations, despite significant improvements in recent years. Average PM10 concentrations are close to the current annual limit, and benzo(a)pyrene concentrations have long exceeded it. An interesting indicator related to air quality is the average life expectancy, which is about 2 years shorter in this area compared to the rest of the Czech Republic. The Moravian-Silesian Region (MSK) is home to 1.2 million inhabitants. However, polluted air has an even broader impact. The region is successfully addressing the transition to sustainable energy with boiler subsidies, yet there are still over 45,000 burning sources. In the vicinity of the area of interest – the Czech-Polish border – there are both local heating systems and industrial areas affecting air quality. It is already evident that air pollution problems at the border will persist, especially due to the pressure from the European Union to tighten limits starting in 2030.
To ensure the collection of PM10 fraction, a schedule was prepared, as 100 samples were planned to be taken over approximately 4 months. It was therefore necessary to coordinate logistics, prepare sampling materials, transport to the laboratory, and the analysis system. The measurement of benzo(a)pyrene content at selected locations was carried out using SiO2 filters, with the filter exposure corresponding to the daily air consumption of an adult. Sampling took place from November 2, 2023, to March 5, 2024, according to the prepared schedule. During the sampling period, continuous measurement of PMx and meteorological parameters was conducted.
Benzo(a)pyrene concentrations are supposed to meet the annual maximum limit of 1 ng/m3, which is not entirely comparable to the campaign during the heating season. Nevertheless, some of the measured concentrations are very high. For example, the December values of benzo(a)pyrene in Havířov/U stadionu are higher than 10 ng/m3. The worst period was in January 2024, whereas in November and February, the concentrations were even lower than the detection limit of 0.1 ng/m3. Transport blanks are all 0.1 ng/m3 or better, indicating no contamination occurred. The results database was handed over to Czech hydrometeorological Institute in Excel format.