CASE STUDY ON PARTICULATE MATTER (PM) POLLUTION IN LARGE CITIES

The inappropriate quality of air is seriously affecting all of us, with dangerous consequences on human health and environment. Particulate Matter (PM) Pollution with small particles constitutes the most common sources of air pollution and in the same time the most dangerous one. Based on those considerations, we started this research seeking for information about suspended particulates matters. The goal for 'Case study on particulate matters (PM) pollution in large cities' is to offer as much information as possible about the city of Cluj-Napoca, a large city in Romania. The main sources of pollution with particulate matters is road traffic (especially at diesel car engines), industrial emissions and under some circumstances air currents due to their capacity on carrying suspensions for long distances. For this research we used a direct method for measuring in real time. The equipment used was a photometer Dust Trak Aerosol Monitor, an analogue system for measuring. As regard for the areas to be measured, we focused on heavy traffic in large estates on the main areas of Cluj-Napoca. The experimental research follows a two-step measuring set. The first set of measurements was done in summer and the second one in autumn when the atmosphere is dry. The measurements led to several conclusions. At certain times of the year the values exceed the limit value. A reason for exceeding the limit value is road traffic that is generating particulate matter mostly discharged from exhaust pipe. The particles contain ultra-fine particulate matter (PM1.1 mu m and below) and fine particles matter (PM2.5). All through under some circumstances the level of pollution is getting worse due to other sources of contamination with particle matters generated by tires erosion, clutch erosion, braking process or road surfaces erosion.