The reasons for current air quality in Poland and main activities to its improvement

(1)

SCIENCE

IN SHOR

T

SCHOOL

EDUKACJA BIOLOGICZNA I ŚRODOWISKOWA | ebis.ibe.edu.pl | ebis@ibe.edu.pl | © for the article by the Authors 2016 © for the edition by Instytut Badań Edukacyjnych 2016

The reasons for current air

quality in Poland and main

activities to its improvement

Martyna Nowak

mgr eng. Martyna Nowak: Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal, ul. Zamkowa 1, 41-803 Zabrze; e-mail: mnowak@ichpw.pl

Introduction

Proper state of natural environment guarantees safe human functioning and the quality of particular environment elements strongly affects human health. A significant part of human activities has an impact on the environment, its resources and stability of eco-systems (Albiniak, 2014). Human activity results in air emissions of various gaseous and particulate pollutants. These compounds can react with each other and solar radiations, high temperature and high humidity favor such reactions. Accumulation of negative activities can cause non-reversible changes in the surrounding envi-ronment (Toczko, 2011). Air pollutants have also a di-rect impact on human health – their presence may cause health problems, related to respiratory and circulatory systems (Özkan et al., 2016), (Nurul et al., 2014). Some of the compounds, like benzo[a]pyrene show carcino-genic activity (Trojanowska and Świetlik, 2013).

Air quality assessment systems in Poland

According to article 89 (1) of Act of 27 April 2001 Environmental law (Journal of Laws of 2001 No 62 item 627, as amended) Regional Inspectorate for Environ-mental Protection (RIEP) evaluates levels of substanc-es in the air, based on data from State Environmental Monitoring stations. Regional reports, which contain the assessment results are published on the RIEP web-sites. According to article 90 of the Environmental Law, assessment results are transferred to the voivod-ship boards, which in case of exceeding the substance permissible levels, elaborate an air protection program (Journal of Laws of 2001 No 62 item 627, as amended). Based on regional annual assessment, the Chief Inspec-tor for Environmental Protection elaborates cumula-tive assessment of air quality, which is available on the

received: 30.11.2015; accepted: 1.03.2016; published: 1.04.2016 Summary:

Human activity has an impact on environment, espe-cially on air quality changes. In the article there are pre-sented main pollutants emission sources in Poland,

in-cluding emissions of particulate matter, SO₂, CO, NO_X,

non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia, dioxins and furans, PCB, PAH, and heavy metals. There are also shown reasons for present air quality and means of reduction of various compound emissions. An atten-tion has been paid to health problems, which can occur during long-time exposure on pollutions.

Key words: air quality, emissions of pollutants, low-stack emis-sion

Air Quality Portal website http://powietrze.gios.gov.pl. There is also available a free application for smartphones with Android and iOS systems, in which there are cur-rent measurements results, a map of measurement sta-tions, information about high pollutants concentration and news from Chief Inspector for Environmental Pro-tection (AQP, 2016).

In terms of human health protection, the annual air quality assessment includes following substances:

• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂),

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂),

• Carbon monoxide (CO),

• Benzene (C₆H₆),

• Ozone (O₃),

• Particulate matter PM10 (with diameter up to 10 μm),

• Particulate matter PM2.5 (very small particles, with diameter up to 2.5 μm), • Lead (Pb), • Arsenic (As), • Nickel (Ni), • Cadmium (Cd), • Benzo[a]pyrene.

In terms of plant protection, the annual air quality assessment includes three substances:

• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂),

• Nitrogen oxides (NO_X) – the sum of nitrogen oxi-de (NO) and nitrogen dioxioxi-de (NO₂) expressed as nitrogen dioxide,

• Ozone (O₃).

Main air pollutant sources in Poland

Figure 1 presents the total emissions of the most important air pollutants in Poland. In the 2000–2013 carbon monoxide was a substance which was produced in the highest amount (over 2.6 million tons in 2000 to

(2)

The reasons for current air quality in Poland and main activities to its improvement | Martyna Nowak | EDUKACJA BIOLOGICZNA I ŚRODOWISKOWA 1/2016

29 SCIENCE

IN SHOR

T

SCHOOL

EDUKACJA BIOLOGICZNA I ŚRODOWISKOWA | ebis.ibe.edu.pl | ebis@ibe.edu.pl | © for the article by the Authors 2016 © for the edition by Instytut Badań Edukacyjnych 2016 over 2.8 million tons in 2013). The highest reduction of

pollutant is related to sulfur dioxide – from almost 1.5 million tons in 2000 to about 0.8 million tons in 2013. The emissions of nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia and particulate matter are rather stable.

Table 1 shows the total emissions of main and or-ganic air pollutants, by kids of activity in 2013. In the following table there are presented kinds of activi-ties with its classification code in SNAP nomenclature (Selected Nomenclature for Air Pollution). SNAP no-menclature is an European classification of activities

and is applied during an inventory of pollutant emis-sions (Bochenek, 2015). Presented in Table 1 processes of combustion in energy production and transforma-tion industries (SNAP 01) include public power plants and thermal power plants (SNAP 0101), heating plants (0102), refineries (0103), solid fuels transformation (0104) and mining of power raw materials (0105). Non-industrial combustion plants involves commercial and institutional plants (0201), households (0202), agricul-ture and forestry (0203). Road transport (07) includes combustion fuels in passenger cars (0701), light duty ve-hicles, heavy duty vehicles (0702 and 0703), mopeds and motorcycles (0704 and 0705), gasoline evaporation from vehicles (0706), automobile tire and brake wear and road abrasion (0707). Waste management (09) is mainly waste incineration (also agricultural wastes) (0902 and 0907) and agriculture (10) are cultures with fertilizers (1001), on-field burning of stubble and straw (1003) and manure management (1005).

According to data shown in the Table 1, the biggest source of pollutants emissions are non-industrial com-bustion plants, mainly households. Emissions of carbon monoxide, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (including benzo[a]pyr-ene) and particulate matter are much higher in this sec-tor than in the other ones. The share of PAHs emission from non-industrial combustion plants is over 92%. Emissions of dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) is equal to 155.3 g I-TEQ (toxic equivalence) and therefore the emissions are much higher in this non-industrial com-bustion plants than in other activities.

The second largest source of pollutants emissions is road transport. In this sector, the highest share of pol-lutants has carbon monoxide (581.16 thousand tons). The emission of organic pollutants is also significant (both PCB and PAHs – 2521.3 kg).

Fig. 1. Total air emissions of SO₂, NO₂, CO, NMVOC, NH₃ and particulate matter in 2000-2013, thousand tons

Source: Bochenek, 2015.

Fig. 1. Total air emissions of SO2, NO2, CO, NMVOC, NH3 and particulate matter in 2000-2013,

thousand tons (Source: Bochenek 2015).

Fig. 2. Total emission of heavy metals, tons (Source: Bochenek 2015)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Sulfur dioxide Nitrogen oxide Carbon

monoxide volatile organic Non-methane compounds Ammonia Particulate matter To tal em issi on s o f sel ec te d air p ol lu tan s, t ho usan d to ns 2000 2005 2010 2012 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Arsenic Chromium Zinc Cadmium Copper Nickel Lead Mercury

To tal em issi on o f h eav y m etals , to ns 2000 2005 2010 2012

(3)

30 SCIENCE

IN SHOR

T

SCHOOL

EDUKACJA BIOLOGICZNA I ŚRODOWISKOWA | ebis.ibe.edu.pl | ebis@ibe.edu.pl | © for the article by the Authors 2016 © for the edition by Instytut Badań Edukacyjnych 2016 The lowest amount of emissions was generated in

the following sectors: waste management, where the total amount of generated pollutants was 47.87 thou-sand tons and extraction and distribution of fossil fu-els, where the total amount of generated pollutants was 53.11 thousand tons.

Data presented in the Table 1 indicates also, that the highest emissions of sulfur dioxide are generated in processes of combustion in energy production and transformation industries (mainly public power plants and thermal power plants). The biggest source of ni-trogen oxides emissions is road transport. The high-est NMVOCs emissions are generated during solvent

and other products use and other sources of pollutant emissions and absorption. Agriculture, mainly animal production, is the source of the highest ammonia emis-sions.

Figure 2 presents the total amount of heavy met-als – arsenic, chromium, zinc, cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and mercury. From the presented data, we can conclude, that over 2000-2013, the highest lev-els of pollutions were related to zinc (about 1400-1600 tons), while the lowest emissions were related to mer-cury (10.1-10.7 tons). Emissions of zinc in 2010 and 2013 were higher in respect to 2000 and 2005, while

Kinds of activity (SNAP code) SO2 NO2 CO NVOC NH3 PM PCDD/F PCB PAH

thousand tons g I-TEQ kg

Combustion in energy production

and transformation industries (01) 400.42 243.58 60.65 19.76 - 35.89 12.4 135.9 215.6 Non-industrial combustion plants (02) 284.15 93.17 1843.22 123.17 0.53 163.64 155.3 511.4 135167.3 Combustion in industry (03) 149.56 69.21 256.23 10.53 - 32.12 52.5 15.7 6.9 Production processes (04) 11.20 23.61 31.86 75.10 1.14 34.12 14.4 31.1 7195.9 Extraction and distribution of fossil

fuels (05) - - - 38.57 - 14.54 - -

-Solvent and other products use (06) - 0.00 0.01 208.85 0.01 1.67 0.0 - 4.3 Road transport (07) 1.20 255.08 581.16 139.89 0.71 75.88 0.7 62.2 2459.1 Other vehicles and machinery (08) 0.23 100.08 80.51 16.72 0.01 9.49 0.1 - 530.5

Waste management (09) 0.09 1.66 20.50 2.94 2.55 20.13 1.5 1.0

-Agriculture (10) - 11.85 2.26 0.25 258.46 19.88 - -

-Other sources of pollutant emission

and absorption (11) - - - 282.99 - 0.22 14.3 -

-Table 1. Total emissions of main and organic air pollutants by kinds of activity in 2013

Fig. 2. Total emission of heavy metals, tons

the emission level of other pollutants did not change significantly.

Table 2 shows emissions of air pollutants by types of road transport facilities in 2013. Passenger cars gener-ated the highest amount of pollutants – jointly over 25 million tons. However, the smallest amount of emissions comes from mopeds. The differences between emissions from particular road transport facilities are related to amount of existing vehicles. In 2014 there were almost 26.5 million vehicles, from which about 20 million were passenger cars (Bochenek, 2015). The highest emissions of CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, CO, NMVOC, NO_X, SO₂, Pb and PM were related to passenger cars. The only sources of lead

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

monoxide volatile organic Non-methane

compounds Ammonia Particulate matter To tal em issi on s o f sel ec te d air p ol lu tan s, th ou san d to ns 2000 2005 2010 2012 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

(4)

31 SCIENCE

IN SHOR

T

SCHOOL

Types of road transport facilities

CO₂ CH₄ N₂O CO NVMOC NO_X PM SO₂ Pb thousand tons

Passenger cars 25 231.7 2.72 1.07 456.1 43.63 98.27 7.43 0.56 0.014

Cars other than passenger cars with total mass up to 3.5 t 7 634.8 0.43 0.36 61.94 8.94 31.23 2.49 0.18 0.001

Lorries with total mass over 3.5 t 6 450.8 0.53 0.27 26.66 25.22 93.61 4.76 0.37

-Buses with total mass over 3.5 t 1 745 0.09 0.03 7.11 3.49 15.59 1.04 0.05

-Motocycles 77 0.11 0 11.72 3.9 0.14 0 0 0

Mopeds 33.9 0.05 0 5.37 2.34 0.02 0 0 0

Agricultural tractors 831.8 0.05 0.05 12.26 2.18 14.18 1.38 0.03

-Table 2. Air pollutants emission by types of road transport facilities in 2013, thousand tons

Fig. 3. Structure of consumption of primary energy commodities in Poland in 2014

Fig. 3. Structure of consumption of primary energy commodities in Poland in 2014 (Source: Bochenek 2015)

Fig. 4. Reasons for exceeding the allowable level of PM10 emissions (24h concentration) in 2014 – percentage level in the in the national scale (Source: Kobus et al. 2015)

40% 12% 24% 14% 5% 1% 4% _{Hard coal} Lignite Crude oil Natural gas

Peat and fuel wood Renewables

Solid waste fuels and other sources S1 5,83% S2 3,54% S3 2,14% S4 0,58% S5 85,21% S7 0,03% S16 1,80% _0,87%S23

emissions are passenger cars and cars other than pas-senger one with total mass up to 3.5 t.

Analysis of the reasons of current air quality

in Poland

Structure of pollution in Poland depends on kind of used fuel, its quality and consumption structure. These factors has a huge influence on the emissions of most air pollutants. Technologies used in public power plants and combustion techniques used in municipal sector also have a huge impact on the emissions structure (Al-biniak, 2014).

Figure 3 shows the structure of primary energy commodities in Poland in 2014. The basic energy source in Poland is hard coal (40% of all energy carriers). The consumption of renewable sources of energy (i.e. hydro, wind, solar, geothermal energy and heat pumps) is the smallest in the national economy and is equal to 1% of all energy carriers.

The basic problem related to air quality in Poland is the failure to meet the allowable amount of days with ex-ceeded allowable level of particulate matter PM2.5, PM10 and exceeding the target level of benzo[a]pyrene (KPOP 2015). The excess of PM10 emissions concerns both daily (especially in winter season) and annual standards. The excess of PM2.5 emissions concerns annual standards. Increased particulate matter emissions are related to all big cities and urban areas (Albiniak, 2014).

The analysis of annual assessments, conducted by Environmental Protection Inspection, showed that low-stack emissions have the main impact on current air quality (KPOP, 2015). Low-stack emission is an emis-sion of pollutants from emitters (stacks), located at the height up to 40 m. In fact, the pollutants are emitted mainly from emitters with height about 10 m and are distributed at the nearby surroundings. Low-stack

(5)

32 SCIENCE

IN SHOR

T

SCHOOL

EDUKACJA BIOLOGICZNA I ŚRODOWISKOWA | ebis.ibe.edu.pl | ebis@ibe.edu.pl | © for the article by the Authors 2016 © for the edition by Instytut Badań Edukacyjnych 2016 average concentration) levels and share of particular

sec-tors (i.e. non-industrial combustion plants, cokemaking plants, road transport, agriculture, forestry, fishing, alu-minum production, industrial combustion plants and construction and production of electricity and heat) in benzo[a]pyrene emissions. Data presented in fig. 4 and fig. 5 are related to the reasons of exceeding the allowable levels of PM10 and PM2.5 in the air, which are determined by the air quality monitoring stations under the State Environmental Monitoring. The monitoring stations are localized mainly in the urban areas. The main reason of exceeded levels of PM10 and PM2.5 is the emission related emission is a problem which considers introduction of

hazardous particulates and gases into the atmosphere, which are generated during ineffective combustion in households, cars and thermal plants (Sadlok, 2014).

The low-stack emission mainly comes from munici-pal sector and include (KPOP, 2015):

• individual heat generation sources and hot water preparation (non-industrial combustion plants),

• local thermal plants (e.g. district plants),

• transport.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the reasons of exceeding the allowable PM10 (24 h concentration) and PM2.5 (annual

to individual heating (S5). Other, significant reasons are emissions related to traffic (S1+S2) and emissions related to industrial plants, heat and power plants localized near the measuring station (S3).

Data presented in fig. 6 shows, that the biggest share in benzo[a]pyrene emission have non-industrial com-bustion plants – 77%. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (including benzo[a]pyrene) are emitted mainly dur-ing combustion of solid fuels in households (Albiniak, 2014). A significant share in emission of this pollutant have also cokemaking plants – 15%. The share of trans-port in benzo[a]pyrene emissions are 6%.

Fig. 4. Reasons for exceeding the allowable level of PM10 emissions (24 h concentration) in 2014 – percentage level in the in the national scale

Source: Kobus et al., 2015.

Fig. 3. Structure of consumption of primary energy commodities in Poland in 2014 (Source: Bochenek 2015)

Fig. 4. Reasons for exceeding the allowable level of PM10 emissions (24h concentration) in 2014 – percentage level in the in the national scale (Source: Kobus et al. 2015)

40% 12% 24% 14% 5% 1% 4% _{Hard coal} Lignite Crude oil Natural gas Peat and fuel wood Renewables

Solid waste fuels and other sources S1 5,83% S2 3,54% S3 2,14% S4 0,58% S5 85,21% S7 0,03% S16 1,80% _0,87%S23

Fig. 5. Reason for exceeding the allowable level of PM2.5 emissions (average annual concentration) in 2014

Legend to fig. 4 and fig. 5:

S1 – emissions related to intensive traffic in the cities’ centers

S2 – emissions related to traffic on a main roads near a measuring station

S3 – emissions related to industrial plants, heat and power plants localized near the measuring station S4 – emissions from mines and quarries located near the measuring station

S5 – emissions related to individual heating S7 – emergency emission from sources other than industrial

S16 – secondary emissions of particulate matter from uncovered surfaces, e.g. roads, pavements, courts S23 – emissions related to periodical construction and road works

Fig. 5. Reason for exceeding the allowable level of PM2,5 emissions (average annual concentration) in 2014 (Source: Kobus et al. 2015)

Fig. 6. Share of particular sectors involved in benzo(a)pyrene emissions in Poland in 2012 (Source: Kobus et al. 2015) S1 2,6% 5,3% S2 S3 2,6% S5 89,5% Non-industrial combustion plants 77% Industrial combustion plants and construction 0,01% Production of electricity and heat

0,005% Road transport 6% Others 0,1% Aluminium production 0,3% Cokemaking plants 15% Agriculture, forestry, fishing, working machines 1%

(6)

33 SCIENCE

IN SHOR

T

SCHOOL

Fig. 6. Share of particular sectors involved in benzo[a]pyrene emissions in Poland in 2012

Fig. 5. Reason for exceeding the allowable level of PM2,5 emissions (average annual concentration) in 2014 (Source: Kobus et al. 2015)

Fig. 6. Share of particular sectors involved in benzo(a)pyrene emissions in Poland in 2012 (Source: Kobus et al. 2015) S1 2,6% 5,3% S2 S3 2,6% S5 89,5% Non-industrial combustion plants 77% Industrial combustion plants and construction 0,01% Production of electricity and heat

0,005% Road transport 6% Others 0,1% Aluminium production 0,3% Cokemaking plants 15% Agriculture, forestry, fishing, working machines 1%

Conducted analysis of the possibilities of low-stack emission reduction shows, that in 12.9 million households there are 7.5 million ceramic furnaces and 1.5 million steel furnaces. In most cases, the fur-naces are coal fired and many of them have very low efficiency (Schönfelder, 2011). In municipal sec-tor wastes are also a common source of heat. Wastes, which are fired, have various composition, which can have a negative impact on human health, life and the environment.

In the transport sector following issues have an im-pact on the emissions:

• demand related to passengers transport and ele-ments dependent of policies in the field of: econo-my, agriculture, tourism, finances, etc.

• organization of transport services (e.g. application of logistics and smart technologies),

• technical solutions applied in vehicles (drive and fuel) and infrastructure,

• average length of everyday rides,

• uneconomical, often aggressive driving style (KPOP, 2015).

In cities organization and traffic management have a large impact on the pollutants emission. Intensive traffic, its inadequate organization and improper drive

technique result in traffic jams, thereby energy losses related to frequent stops and acceleration and increased emissions (KPOP, 2015).

Also the adverse weather conditions, such as wind-less conditions, low temperature and mist, have an im-pact on air quality. The meteorological conditions have a significant meaning in following emission sources: household’s furnaces, local thermal plants and car transport. Furthermore, in some Polish cities, topogra-phy conditions (i.e. emission sources placed in valleys or river basins) have a significant impact on pollutants level – such localization impedes pollutants dispersion. Another problem is related to industry concentration in urban areas or their direct neighborhood. Cracow and Upper Silesia Urban Areas are the examples of such re-gions (KPOP, 2015).

Besides the emission reduction during last dec-ades, the air quality in Europe still does not meet the adequate standards. It is estimated, that about 90% of European citizens are exposed to air pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone or benzo[a] pyrene. These compounds have the biggest impact on humans health (KPOP, 2015).

The impact of pollutions on human health

Environment, lifestyle, genes and level of medi-cal care are the basic factors, which affect the human health. Relations between environmental factors and health are very complex. Human organism is affected simultaneously by many harmful factors, which occur in relative low concentration in air, water, soil and food. Very often their character is lingering, lasting for whole or most of the lifetime. The health effects related to ex-posure on harmful environment factors are various and causes temporary or permanent functional disorders, rather than obvious diseases (Albiniak, 2014).

(7)

SCIENCE

IN SHOR

T

SCHOOL

EDUKACJA BIOLOGICZNA I ŚRODOWISKOWA | ebis.ibe.edu.pl | ebis@ibe.edu.pl | © for the article by the Authors 2016 © for the edition by Instytut Badań Edukacyjnych 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) estimated, that

air pollutions, which occur both in cities and rural ar-eas, were the reason for 3.7 million premature deaths in 2012. Epidemiological studies showed relation between the air pollution levels and mortality, related to res-piratory and cardiovascular systems diseases in various parts of the world (Özkan et al., 2016). Table 3 shows the impact of high concentration of selected pollutants on humans health.

Benzo[a]pyrene is another compound, which has a negative impact on health. Like the particulate mat-ter, benzo[a]pyrene has a negative impact not only on human health, but also on flora, soil and water. It also has a possibility to accumulate in the organism and shows a high permanent toxicity. Like other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzo[a]pyrene is a carcinogen and affects DNA changes (KPOP, 2015). Exposure even

on very small benzo[a]pyrene concentration for a long time can cause cancer. Epidemiological studies showed a strong relation between benzo[a]pyrene concentration in air and occurrence of lung cancer. In Silesian voivod-ship increased incidence of lung cancer was found, es-pecially in a group of man, exposed to PAH compounds (Trojanowska and Świetlik, 2013).

Harmful substances, which are present in the air can be very dangerous to human health, so conducting activities related to air protection is necessary. Activi-ties aiming at air quality improvement are presented in the following chapter.

Activities aiming at air quality improvement

In order to protect human health and natural en-vironment in Poland, a number of instruments of air

emission reduction were established. This instruments are intended to help reaching the adequate air quality. The most important instruments are:

• permit for gas and particles discharge into the air,

• integrated permit,

• emission standards form installations,

• fuel quality standards,

• air protection programs in the areas, where air quality standards were exceeded (Albiniak, 2014). In the following years, activities established in air protection programs, realized in specific regions, should also improve the air quality. The aim of the Na-tional Program for Air Protection is to improve the life quality of inhabitants, especially protection of their health and living conditions, taking into account envi-ronmental protection with the principles of sustainable development (KPOP, 2015).

The National Program of Air Protection is a strategic document, setting the objectives and actions’ directions, which should be taken into account in the air protection programs, especially on the local level (KPOP, 2015).

Due to the current structure of fuel consumption in Poland (fig. 3) and high consumption of solid fuels (including wastes) in heating sector, actions which aim at emission (especially particulate matter and benzo[a] pyrene) reduction are necessary. These actions includes (Albiniak 2014; KPOP, 2015):

• replacement of individual heating systems for more efficient and low emission systems (replace-ment for modern boilers with high efficiency or electric heating),

• connection to district heating, gaseous network,

• complex thermomodernization, which aim is to reduce the heat demand,

• rational modification of production technologies in the sectors, from which the most burdensome and dangerous for humans and ecosystems pollu-tants are emitted,

Substance Substance’s characteristics Impact on human health Ozone Colorless gas, slightly sweet

odor

Irritates respiratory system, increases symptoms of lung diseases, increases asthma symptoms, causes damage in the respiratory system cells, causes cough, discom-fort in the chest, eye irritation

Particulate matter Very small particles

Small particles can be deposited in lungs and can cause pneumonia and increases heart and lungs diseases.

Infants, children and teens, elderly people over 65 years, people suffering from respiratory system or heart diseases, diabetic and people working outdoors are in the most at risk group

Carbon monoxide Colorless, odorless gas Decreases the oxygen absorption in the blood, which results in significant reduc-tion of oxygen supplied to the heart. Causes dizziness, fainting, nausea

Nitrogen dioxide NO is an odorless gas, NO2 is a gas with red-brown color

Can increase the respiratory system diseases (sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, fever), increases the risk of bronchitis and pneumonia in children

Sulfur dioxide Colorless, odorless gas Increases the risk of suffering from chronic respiratory system diseases, causes _{shortness of breath, airway narrowing in asthmatics}

Lead Heavy metal Children are the most at risk group; can cause brain damage, neurotic disorders, _{digestive problems} Table 3. Pollutants impact on humans health

(8)

35 SCIENCE

IN SHOR

T

SCHOOL

• standardization of combusted fuel quality, related to its particle size, higher heating value, water, ash and sulfur contents.

Keeping the allowable levels of pollutants in the environment is an effective protection of humans and environment against the negative impact of contami-nants. The levels are established in Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 24 August 2012 on levels of some substances in the air (Journal of Laws of 2012 item. 1031). It is important to identify the areas, in which the pollutants levels are exceeded and then take actions, which cause the emission reduction to the al-lowable level, which will not affect human health and ecosystems (Albiniak, 2014).

As it was mentioned before, part of the society treats wastes as a fuel substitute and do not realize the health consequences related to their combustion in house-hold’s furnaces. Therefore social awareness related to negative impact of pollutants on human health and en-vironment is a very important element, which influence the improvement of air quality process (KPOP, 2015).

The previous reduction of air pollutants was caused by emission reduction from industrial sources, includ-ing energy sector. It means, that legislation and require-ments, established on its basis, are effective. Is also means, that significant reduction potential includes actions and regulations related to municipal sector and transport (KPOP, 2015).

Conclusion

In EU countries, including Poland, there is an air quality assessment and control system. The air quality assessment related to health and plant protection involves following substances: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene, particulate matter PM10, particulate matter PM2.5, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, nickel, cadmium), benzo[a]pyrene and nitrogen oxides.

Between 2000 and 2012 there was observed a sig-nificant decrease of sulfur dioxide emissions – from about 1500 thousand tons to about 800 thousand tons (Bochenek, 2014). Emissions of nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia and particulate matter are rather stable.

Data analysis showed that the biggest emission source are non-industrial combustion plants, mainly households. The second biggest emission source is a road transport – passenger cars.

Increased emissions of particulate matter occur mainly in big cities and urban areas. Analysis conduct-ed by Environmental Protection Inspectorate showconduct-ed, that low-stack emissions have the main impact on cur-rent air quality (Kobus et al., 2015).

Particulate matter and benzo[a]pyrene have a nega-tive impact on human health and environment. Chil-dren, pregnant women, older people and people with respiratory and circulatory system diseases are the most sensible group exposed to the pollution. Accumulation of particulate matter in the organism can cause asth-ma severity, harsh reactions of respiratory system and weakening of lungs functions (Albiniak, 2014). Benzo[a] pyrene also has the ability of accumulation in the or-ganism and shows a high permanent toxicity. Like other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzo[a]pyrene is a carcinogen (KPOP, 2015).

In order to protect human health and natural en-vironment in Poland, a number of instruments of air emission reduction were established. This are i.e. permit for discharge and particles into the air, integrated per-mit, emission standards and air protection programs (Albiniak, 2014). The activities aimed at reducing the particulate matter and benzo[a]pyrene emissions are related to i.e. replacement of current heating system for modern and low emission systems, thermomoderniza-tion and modificathermomoderniza-tion of technologies in particular sec-tors and activities increasing social awareness (KPOP,

2015). Significant potential can be also seen in renew-able sources of energy application.

References

Albiniak B. ed. (2014). Stan Środowiska w Polsce Raport 2014. Biblio-teka Monitoringu Środowiska. Warszawa

Bochenek D. ed. (2015). Ochrona Środowiska 2015. Główny Urząd Statystyczny. Warszawa. Available at http://www.stat.gov.pl, ac-cessed 29.02.2016

Kobus D., Iwanek J., Kostrzewa J., Mitosek G., Parvi R. (2015). Oce-na jakości powietrza w strefach w Polsce za rok 2014. Państwowy Monitoring Środowiska – Inspekcja Ochrony Środowiska. War-szawa

Nurul A. B. M., Oliver L. H. L., Dasimah O. (2014). Human Health and Wellbeing: Human health effect of air pollution. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 153: 221-229

Özkan C., Bahtiyar E., Ali D. (2016). Study on the association be-tween air pollution and mortality in Istanbul, 2007-2012. At-mospheric Pollution Research 7: 147-154

Sadlok R., ed. (2014). Przeciwdziałanie niskiej emisji na terenach zwartej zabudowy mieszkalnej. Stowarzyszenie na rzecz efektyw-ności energetycznej i rozwoju odnawialnych źródeł energii „HE-LIOS”. Bochnia.

Schönfelder T. ed. (2011). Analiza możliwości ograniczania niskiej emisji ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem sektora bytowo-komu-nalnego. Opole

Toczko B. ed. (2011). Zanieczyszczenie powietrza w Polsce w 2009 roku na tle wielolecia. Biblioteka Monitoringu Środowiska. War-szawa

Trojanowska M., Świetlik R. (2013). Ocena ryzyka nowotworowego związanego z narażeniem inhalacyjnym na benzo(a)piren w wy-branych miastach Polski. Medycyna Środowiskowa. vol. 16, No. 2: 14-22

Act of 27 April 2001 Environmental law (Journal of Laws of 2001 No 62 item. 627 as amended)

Air quality portal (AQP 2016) http://powietrze.gios.gov.pl/, accessed 29.02.2016

Krajowy Program Ochrony Powietrza do roku 2020 (z perspektywą do roku 2030) (KPOP 2015). Ministerstwo Środowiska – Departa-ment Ochrony Powietrza. Warszawa

Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 24 August 2012 on le-vels of some substances in the air (Journal of Laws of 2012 item. 1031)

Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 4 November 2014 on emission standards from various installations, combustion sour-ces and waste incineration or co-incineration devisour-ces (Journal of Laws of 2014, item. 1546).