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Description
The Central Moravia air quality improvement program targets its measures primarily on benzo(a)pyrene, which, according to model calculations, exceeds the emission limit level in most of the Zlín region. Model calculations are characterized by greater potential uncertainty. The project aims to verify the correctness of the mentioned model calculations by means of measurements. The project aims to survey the entire territory of the Zlín Region, at 12 locations. These measurements will help to create a much more detailed and accurate picture of the nature of air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene, other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aerosol particles in the affected area.. The target group of this project is mainly characterized as the Zlín Region residents. Another target group are municipal workers who will use the results of the project when evaluating their time plans for improving air quality, and also the municipal workers with extended powers who will use the results in control activities in the area. Employees of the Zlín Region will use the measurement results to verify the setting of the existing priorities of the Air Quality Improvement Plan in the Zlín Region and when preparing measures to improve the state of the territory in terms of measured pollutants for the next period. In addition, it will be possible to compare and link the results of this project with the results of the simultaneously submitted grant application for the project "Continuous monitoring of air quality in small towns in the Zlín Region".
Summary of project results
In the project we focused primarily on verification of previous conclusions of the CZ07 2020+ PZKO of the Central Moravia zone on the basis of detailed measurement of concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) defined by European legislation, led by benzo(a)pyrene and aerosol particles of PM10 and PM2.5 fractions. We selected 12 municipalities for monitoring, relatively evenly distributed over the whole area of the Zlín Region: Dobrkovice, Francova Lhota, Hošťálková, Velké Karlovice, Koryčany, Strání, Fryšták, Uherský Ostroh, Vizovice, Brumov - Bylnice, Bystřice pod Hostýnem and Kroměříž. Thanks to the implementation of three 14-day campaigns representing the non-heating (August/September), transitional (October/November) and heating (January/February) seasons, the Zlín Region gained a more detailed and accurate picture of the impact of local heating sites on air pollution by benzo(a)pyrene, other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dust particles in the territory concerned. At the same time, through seminars and other awareness-raising activities, we expanded the awareness of the inhabitants of the municipalities of the Zlín Region on the issue of air pollution caused by local heating plants.
The monitoring was carried out by ENVItech Bohemia s.r.o. staff in the form of three 14-day campaigns, which took place from August 2023 to February 2024. In order to compare data in the heating and non-heating season, each location was measured once during the heating season, once during the so-called transitional season and once during the non-heating season. ENVItech Bohemia staff monitored 6 sites at the same time and then moved the measuring equipment to the other 6 sites. During the 14-day campaign, they collected 5 PAH samples from each site for subsequent analysis and 14 samples of aerosol particles of PM10 and PM2.5 fractions for subsequent gravimetric determination of concentrations. The PAH sampling days coincided with the CNMI sampling calendar so that the measured concentrations could also be compared with data from other measurement stations. The stations in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, Loštice and Olomouc were selected for comparison. Thus, 15 PAH samples were taken from each site during the project implementation, which makes a total of 180 samples at 12 sites. In addition, 42 samples of PM10 and PM2.5 were taken from each site, for a total of 504 samples. The samples were then analysed in the accredited laboratory of the Centrum dopravního výzkumu (Transport Research Centre). The final samples were evaluated in April 2024 and subsequently published on the project website. In the early phase of the project (October 2023) we organised a full-day expert seminar to present the project''s intentions and prepared a series of interesting lectures for invited guests on air protection related to local heating issues. This activity was repeated at the end of the project (April 2024), when, in addition to the awareness-raising lectures, we also presented the main project results, conclusions and recommendations.
The project focused on measuring local air pollution caused by residential heating systems in the Zlín region has yielded several key benefits and long-term impacts. The main objective was to verify the accuracy of model calculations of pollutant concentrations, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and suspended particles PM10 and PM2.5, and to obtain precise data on air pollution in the region. The results of the project revealed that residential heating systems have a significant impact on the concentrations of these pollutants, especially during the heating season.
For example, in the municipality of Hošťálková, we measured the highest concentrations of PM2.5, reaching up to 43.7 µg/m³, which significantly exceeds the annual limit of 20 µg/m³. Similarly, in Brumov-Bylnice, we recorded benzo[a]pyrene concentrations during the winter months that were double the permitted limit of 1 ng/m³. These results confirm that residential heating systems, especially those burning solid fuels, significantly contribute to air pollution. The significance of the project lies in providing accurate and detailed data on the actual state of pollution, which is essential for developing effective strategies and policies to improve air quality. The results enable us to implement targeted measures, such as promoting the transition to more environmentally friendly heating sources, which will reduce residents'' exposure to harmful substances and thereby lower the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Improving air quality has long-term benefits for public health and the environment, which can also reduce healthcare costs and enhance residents'' quality of life. The project also emphasized the need to continue monitoring air quality, especially in smaller municipalities where the use of solid fuels is more common. This continuous monitoring can provide further data and refine measures to improve air quality. Overall, the project has significantly contributed to understanding and addressing the issue of air pollution in the Zlín region and can serve as an example for other areas facing similar challenges.