SO2 and total particulate matter (PM) concentrations during a seven-years period in the city of Nigde, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the air quality variation in the city of Nigde, Turkey, on the basis Of SO2 and total PM (total particulate matter) concentrations measured between 1998 and 2004, and evaluated by using World Health Organization (WHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environment and Climate Program (EU) and Turkish Protecting Air Quality Regulations (TPAQR). The averaged monthly and annual SO2 and PM concentrations were measured, and for both, a slight increase in the air was observed from 1998 to 2004. The annual average SO2 and PM concentrations were not above the TPAQR standard. However, annual average concentrations Of SO2 were determined to be higher than the WHO limits. The annual average fluctuations of PM exceeded the EPA limits between 2000 and 2003. Significant variations in SO2 were observed between annual minimum and maximum concentrations in the period of 1998-2004. However, variations in PM were only recorded for years 2003 and 2004. Based on these results, it is thought that clean air in Nigde has largely been affected by SO2 and PM. In the last months of 2004, SO2 and PM levels were above the daily limits of TPAQR (400 mu g/m(3)) and also the averaged ones of WHO, EPA and EU were exceeded. This resulted in a toxic effect for the environment. In a general sense, all necessary measurements should be taken to prevent long-term health problems arising from the increase of SO2 and PM in the air.