Long-term changes in PM10 levels in urban air in relation with air quality control efforts

In an effort to assess long-term variations of urban air quality over a broad spatial scale, the concentrations of PM10 (particulate matters with aerodynamic size below 10 μm) measured from a total of 16 urban roadside (U-RS) stations in Korea over a decadal period (1998 and 2008) were analyzed in a number of respects. As a major criterion for evaluation, these PM data were examined with respect to landmarking active clean-up activities (e.g., Natural Gas Vehicle Supply (NGVS) program enforced since 2000 and upgrading of fuel quality since 2004) and emission control retrofits since 2003 throughout major urban areas in Korea. The mean concentrations of PM10 from all 16 U-RS stations varied from 51.3 ± 10.3 (before 2000) to 70.3 ± 19.4 μg m−3 (after 2001). The results derived from 4 regional background stations were also analyzed as a reference to the urban data sets. The analysis of our PM data between before and after such clean-up activity for air quality indicates the existence of highly diversified temporal patterns. The measured PM values from only a few U-RS stations exhibited statistically significant declining trends over a decadal period. It is thus concluded that the effect of clean-up activity like NGVS and emission control retrofits, although claimed to make zero-emissions of fine particles, did not result in an overall reduction in PM10 levels.

► In an effort to assess long-term variations of urban air quality over a broad spatial scale.
► The concentrations of PM10 were measured from a total of 16 urban roadside (U-RS) stations.
► The results of this study provide the effect of control efforts on PM level changes in Korea.
► The effect of emission control retrofits did not result in an overall reduction in PM10 levels.