PCDD/Fs in Ambient Air of Krakow - Seasonal Changes in Congener Distributions

In some new EU-Member States coal is still widely used for residential heating. In winter during the inversion conditions, emissions from solid fuel-fired residential appliances contribute to elevated concentrations of particles in ambient air. Moche and Thanner have shown that these particles can contain high amounts of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans (PCDD/Fs), which results in a significant contribution to the overall PCDD/F emissions. This study aims at identifying the influence of these PCDD/F emissions on ambient air in the region of Malopolska, Poland. PCDD/F concentrations and congener patterns in ambient air particulate matter were measured in Zakopane, a rural site predominated by residential heating and at two sites in Krakow, one of mainly industrial character and a site in the city center characterized by traffic, domestic heating and diffuse industrial sources. A summer/winter comparison was made in order to estimate the specific influence of domestic heating. For comparison a soot sample was collected from the walls of a chimney of a domestic stove where a mix of brown coal and wood was used.

CHRISTOPH Eugen;  EISENREICH Steven;  MARIANI Giulio;  PARADIZ Bostjan;  UMLAUF Gunther; 

2006-02-14

JRC32568

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC32568,