Evaluation of atmospheric benzene concentrations in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area in 2000–2003 using diffusive sampling and atmospheric dispersion modelling

Ambient air concentrations of benzene were both measured and predicted in the Helsinki Metropolitan area. Two-weekly measurements were conducted in 2000, 2002 and 2003 at seven measurement stations using diffusive adsorbent sampling; additional two-hourly measurements were also performed. An urban dispersion modelling system was utilised for modelling the spatial concentration distributions of benzene for 2000. According to both measurements and predictions, the annual mean benzene concentrations were below the upper assessment threshold (3.5 μg m−3) set by the European Union, while the lower assessment threshold (2 μg m−3) was exceeded at one urban station (Töölö) during the year 2000. The concentrations measured in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area were also compared with those at rural and remote stations in Finland. In the winters of 2000 and 2003, the concentrations at the remote and rural stations of Utö, Hyytiälä and Pallas were close to the concentrations at the urban background station of Kallio, while in the summers of 2000 and 2003, the concentrations at Kallio were substantially higher. The predicted concentrations in 2000 were highest in the vicinity of major roads and streets, and at their junctions. At all the stations, the predicted yearly averaged concentrations agreed fairly well with the measured data; the differences between measured and predicted values ranged from 10 to 31%. According to the measurements, and also the emission and dispersion computations, the most important source categories were exhaust emissions from local vehicular traffic, and the long-range transported background.