INVITED ABSTRACT
Impact assessment of persistent particulate matter as pollutant through urban atmosphere at Mitrovica

AFRIM SYLA (1), Marta Korchemlyuk(2)

(1) Unicersity of Prishtina, Prishtinë, (2)National University of Vasyl Stephanyk (Institute of nature sciences, chemist).

     Abstract Number: 115
     Last modified: April 15, 2010

Abstract
Atmospheric particles aerosols are some of the key components of the atmosphere. They influence the energy balance of the Earth’s surface, visibility, climate, human health and environment as a whole. According to World Health Organization (WHO), ozone, particulate matter, heavy metals and some hydrocarbons present the priority pollutants in the troposphere. Airborne particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 microns (refered to as PM10) is on of the six criteria pollutants used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as indicator of air quality. During the last decade, the health effects of urban aerosols have become a major concern for the society. The results of the long-term studies confirm that the adverse health effects are mainly due to particulate matter, especially small particles–less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10). According to the 1999/30/EC Directive, the countries-members are obligated to reduce the emission of the particles in urban areas by some 50% over the existing levels in order to meet the health-based limit values by 2005 and 2010. The majority of particles of industrial origin contain significant quantities of some potentially dangerous trace elements. As the result of condensation and adsorption processes, the elements as As, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn can be found on the particle surface.