EditorialAir, atmosphere, air pollution, greenhouse

gases, Kyoto Protocol, global climate change, ozone hole, emission, ground-level concen-trations, ambient air quality, ambient air pro-tection, outdoor air, indoor air – everybody is familiar with these terms relating to the ambient air we all breathe. The atmosphere is a mixture of gases forming the gaseous layer around the planet Earth. Without the atmosphere, Earth would be a lifeless piece of rock. With no air to breathe, plants and ani-mals would not exist. The temperature chan-ges between day and night would amount to hundreds of degrees. The Earth’s surface would be irradiated by hard ultraviolet ra- diation.

People are affecting their environment much more than any other beings living on the planet Earth. Clean air is crucial for human health. According to a report by the Euro-pean Environmental Agency (EEA), about half a million Europeans die every year because of air pollution, although the ambient air quality in EU countries has been improving. Among the major ambient air pollutants in the Czech Republic are particulate matter, ground-level ozone, benzo[a]pyrene, and nitrogen dioxide.

The ambient air in the Karlovy Vary region is quite clean, as the region does not have much heavy industry, like the Ostrava region, or heavy traffic, like Prague. Nevertheless, there are particular sources of pollution. Up to 60 % of ambient air pollution in the Karlovy Vary region is believed to be caused by local heating devices, which include fireplaces and stoves used for heating our homes.

The following figures show ambient air quality in the regions of the Czech Republic in 2010. Figure 1 shows areas with poor air

quality with regard to health protection limits. Figure 2 depicts areas with poor air quality with regard to ecosystem/vegetation protection li-mits in national parks and protected landscape

areas, ground-level ozone excluded. It can be concluded that the ambient air quality in the Karlovy Vary region was very good in 2010.

AMBIENT AIR

Úvodník

INVESTICE DO ROZVOJE VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ

Figure 1.: Areas with poor air quality with regard to health protection limits, 2010. (Source: CHMI)

Area with exceeded limits (21,21 %)

Regions

Municipalities with extended competencies

Figure 2.: Areas with poor air quality with regard to ecosystem/vegetation protection limits in national parks and protected landscape areas, ground-level ozone excluded, 2010. (Source: CHMI)

Area with exceeded limits (0,19 %)

Regions

Municipalities with extended competencies

Protected landscape areas and national parks

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GRÜNEN NACHRICHTEN ZELENÉ ZPRÁVY

Green Reporter

INVESTICE DO ROZVOJE VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ

Outdoor and indoor airAmbient air protection

Limitations on air pollution levels are set by an act of parliament dealing with air pollution control, as well as other relevant regulations. The act defines the rights and duties of pollu-tion source operators; establishes procedures for reducing the amount of substances that pollute the air, deplete the ozone layer, and cause climate change; and determines which remedial measures should be taken as well as which sanctions should be imposed.

Outdoor air qualityOutdoor air quality is determined by the le-

vel of pollutants that can affect human health, vegetation, ecosystems, and materials. The sources of air pollutants are natural as well as anthropogenic. Natural sources include volca-nic activity, dust storms, bacteria and other living organisms, and forest fires etc. Indust-ry, agriculture, quarries, traffic, arable land, waste dumps and domestic homes are typical examples of anthropogenic sources.

Emissions and ground-level concentrationsEmissions are the substances coming from

a pollution source. After entering the ambient air, they are classified as ground-level concen-trations. The difference between emission limits and local concentration limits is determi-ned by our point of view; it depends on whe-ther we assess a pollutant from the point of view of its source or from the point of view of the place where it occurs.

Ambient air monitoringGround-level concentrations are measured

by air quality measuring stations, interconnec-ted within the national air pollution network. In this way, the ambient air quality is monitored. The network is operated by the Czech Hydro-meteorological Institute (CHMI). In the Karlovy Vary region, there are four monitoring stations

in operation at present, i.e. in Karlovy Vary, So-kolov, Cheb, and Přebuz. A further four moni-toring stations are operated by the Institute of Public Health (in Cheb, Františkovy Lázně, Mari-ánské Lázně, and Sokolov), and another station in Vítkov is operated by ČEZ (an energy com-pany). Ground-level concentrations of SO2, NOx

or NO2, and particulate matter are measured at most of these stations.

Indoor air qualityWe spend most of our lives indoors, not out-

doors. So, what is the quality of the indoor air in our homes? Indoor air contains not only the substances occurring in the ambient air and co-ming into our homes through ventilation, but also some specific components. The sources of these specific substances are in our homes and the levels of pollution they produce can be pretty high. Polluted indoor air has a wide ran-ge of impacts on human health, such as hea-dache, eye irritation, breathing difficulties, loss of concentration, and even the development of

Pollutant Effects on human health and environment

Particulate matter (PM10, PM2,5, PM1)

Cardiovascular diseases; airway diseases; they bind volatile substances

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Airway irritation; acid rain – damage to forests, the acidification of lakesNitrogen oxides (NOX)

Ozone (O3)Burning eyes, coughs, chest pain, headache, nausea, breathing difficulties

Carbon dioxide (CO2) “greenhouse” gas, contributes to global climate change

Carbon monoxide (CO) Affects the heart and vascular and nervous systems

Hydrogen sulphide(H2S) Causes odour nuisance, toxic at high concentrations

Hydrocarbons Some are carcinogens causing genetic defects

Figure 2.: Pollutants and their effects on human health and the environment (Source: ECMaK)

Figure 1.: A typical figure of Czech towns and villages in winter, when people are drowning. (Source: www.shutterstock.com)

allergies. Indoor air is usually assessed with re-gard to the levels of CO, CO2, NOx, SO2, so-called home dust, formaldehyde, and asbestos. Mo-reover, even carcinogenic substances can be present, mostly contained in cigarette smoke.

The quality of the air can sometimes be wor-se indoors than outdoors, especially if we do not air our homes enough, clean our homes carefully (removing dust particles and other dangerous substances attached to them), or re-strict our use of various chemical agents. Most indoor pollutants are formed when some kind of burning takes place – for example, in gas cookers, fireplaces, and cigarettes. Combusti-on processes produce microscopic particles, which bind other harmful substances to their surface and float around us.

You should never burn waste at home! It is harmful to your neighbours and especially harmful to you. However, indoor air is mostly polluted by tobacco smoke.

Pollution by noise and lightIn addition to the chemical pollution of

the air we breathe, the whole ambient space around us can also be polluted by noise and light, which can also be harmful for us even though we do not realize it. Darkness at night is necessary for us to sleep well and to regenerate our bodies properly. The same applies to plants and animals. Noise can also do harm to our he-alth, even though we can get used to it and do not perceive it. Our body actually perceives no-ise all the time and responds to it just like other stresses. It can result in the well-known disea-ses of civilization.

INVESTICE DO ROZVOJE VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ

Thanks to the company Techmania Scien- ce Center o.p.s, schools in the Karlovy Vary region had an opportunity to involve their students in a free-of-charge programme cal-led “Roadshow about global warming” focu-sing on the atmosphere and its composition. The programme ended in October 2011. The

Report: Roadshow about global warming

Figure 2.: Show in action

Figure 1.: Experiment with oxygen

show’s last stop was at Konečná Elementary school, Karlovy Vary.

At the beginning of the show, the students refreshed their knowledge about the various gases contained in air. Then, they engaged in very lively experiments demonstrating atmos-pheric pressure, cloud formation, and the pro-perties of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane.

The students worked closely with the show’s presenters and they commented that such experiments would be welcome during their lessons. Mgr. Šťastná, their teacher, who booked the show for their school, continued: “Everything was simply demonstrated and ea-sily explained. The students were able to link the theory with practise and with the every-day things that surround them; they had never thought about them in that way before. At the same time, they were very familiar with them.“

And what about those who would like to attend the show too? Mgr. Tomáš Moravec, Techmania’s spokesman, answered: “We still offer the show but only at Techmania’s office in Plzeň. The students will have to come to our place until there is another grant or project that enables us to go into schools“.

Definition

PM (particulate matter)

Particulate matter is the term used for the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. The particles can be of various size, condition, composition, and origin. PM is one of the most harmful ambi-ent air pollutants in the world. The sources of PM are both natural (e.g. volcanic activi-ty, bioaerosol processes) and anthropogenic (e.g. fossil fuel combustion, traffic). The am-bient level of PM in the air is also influenced by the weather. We define PM10 (PM2,5; PM1)

Firure 1.: The following figure shows monthly mean values of PM10 ground-level concentrations during the year 2010, taken at three monitoring stations in the Karlovy Vary region – Cheb, Karlovy Vary, and Sokolov. It is obvious that the he-ating season connected with poor dispersion conditions re-sults in elevated PM10 during the autumn and winter months.

as particulate matter having an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 µm (respectively 2,5 µm; 1 µm). The subscript number indicates the particle diameter.

The most serious health effects are lin-ked with PM10 and smaller (i.e. smaller than 10 μm). Recently, it has been reported that the finest particles, PM2,5 or PM1, are responsible for the most serious health problems, inclu-ding increased mortality. Because of their size, they can reach the lower parts of our respira-tory system after being inhaled.

Particles of 10 μm in diameter and bigger

Particles from 5 to 10 μm

Particles smaller than 5 μm

The smallest particles, which are tiny enough to reach the air sacs, cause the most serious damage

Millions of dust particles adhere to a wet surface

Autor: M

. Černá (EC Most)

The diameter of human hair is 50 to 70 μm

PM2,5

combustion processes, organic compounds, elements etc < 2,5 μm

About 90 μm – sand particle

PM10

dust, pollen grain, soil particles < 10 μm

INVESTICE DO ROZVOJE VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ

Ground-level concentrations taken at this station characterize air-pollution load from traffic within a distance of 200 metres.

The Green Reporter visited two moni-toring stations in the Karlovy Vary region operated by CHMI – ones in Sokolov and Karlovy Vary. The monitoring station in So-kolov is located on the premises of the 6th Elementary school, on a housing estate on the south-eastern edge of the town. The station monitors background levels of the following pollutants: SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM10, PM2,5, PAHs, heavy metals, and also meteo-rological conditions. Mr. Vít Veselý, a care-taker at the school and also a monitoring station operator, who has been responsible

Visit to the monitoring stations in Sokolov and Karlovy Vary

Figure 4.: CHMI measuring station in Karlovy Vary Figure 2.: Mr. Vít Veselý in monitoring station in SokolovFigure 1.: CHMI measuring station in Sokolov, exterior…

Figure 3.: CHMI measuring station in Sokolov, interior…

for the operation of the monitoring station and for taking samples for several years, told us: “The location of the monitoring station on school premises is very advanta-geous, as students are quite familiar with its purpose, with the interior of the station, and with the data it collects.“

The location of the monitoring station in Karlovy Vary is quite different compared to Sokolov. It is situated in the centre of the town, 25 metres from a busy crossroads near the bus station. According to CHMI calculations, about 15,000 cars pass through here every 24 hours. The station measures 7 pollutants: SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM10, PM2,5 and benzene. The purpose of the station is to monitor traffic pollution.

We are launching a photo competition and looking for the best photo in each of these subject categories:

• Air that bothers you. Photos covering negative impacts of human activity on the air: e.g. smoking chimneys …

• Air that makes you happy. Photos covering all pleasant things about air.

The competition is open to pupils and students in the Karlovy Vary region in two age categories:

1. primary school pupils in the 7th to 9th grades 2. secondary school students in the 1st and 2nd year**secondary schools include grammar schools and commercial academies

Photo competition

Competition rules:

1. Photos relating to the above-mentioned to-pics should be either sent by e-mail to info@ohkcheb.cz; or delivered personally to the head office of OHK Cheb, K Nemocnici 2381/2, Cheb; or sent by post to the following address:

OHK Cheb, K Nemocnici 2381/2, 350 02 Cheb.

2. Each photo should be submitted with

the following infor-mation: the title of the

competition, the subject category for which it is

being entered, the name of the author, the name

and address of the school, the student’s grade or year

of study, and the title of the photo.

3. The competition was launched on 15th December, 2011, and the deadline is 15th February, 2012.

4. For further details concerning the rules, please visit http://www.ohkcheb.cz

INVESTICE DO ROZVOJE VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ

Air is one of the most important features of the environment. Everything we brea-the affects our health. Therefore, air quali-ty has been a focus of attention at both na-tional and international level. Since 1989, air pollution in the Czech Republic has ra-dically improved. So, is the air quality really improving? The assessment of outdoor air quality is based on measurements taken usually in urban areas or industrial zones. What about the people living in small towns and villages, though? And what is the quali-

ty of the indoor air in our homes? Recently, many households have returned to heating their flats and houses with solid fuels such as coal or wood. Ironically, the reason is the increasing price of “cleaner” heat sources such as natural gas and electricity. Howe-ver, by saving on heating costs, people do not help to safeguard their health. If solid fuels, especially poor-quality coal, are com-busted in out-of-date domestic boilers, a lot of harmful substances are emitted into the ambient air. Domestic heating systems produce increasing amounts of pollutants such as dust particles, polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur dioxide. Moreover, waste combustion in domestic boilers can emit other irritating and toxic compounds.

Do not forget that everything you burn in your boiler will go back into the air which you as well as your family and neighbours breathe. So, use only the fuels that are al-lowed to be burnt in your heating system. If possible, use cleaner ways of heating your home – for example, renewable re-sources (biomass, heat pumps, and solar collectors) or natural gas. Protect air qua-lity!

Summary

Chief of the Air Quality Protection Depart-ment at the CHMI branch office in Ústí n/Labem (the office covers the whole mi-ning district in north-western Bohemia).

„The Karlovy Vary region is well-known for spas where people go to relax. Ne-vertheless, it is a part of the mining district which belonged to the so-called Black Triangle in the past. Was the am-bient air really so heavily polluted?“

The Karlovy Vary region is very hete-rogeneous and that’s why it is not easy to assess it as a complex. Only coal mi-ning areas surrounding open face mines and power plants were highly polluted. Ground-level concentrations of sulphur dioxide dropped radically after flue gas desulphurization measures were imple-mented in power plants. Similarly, the installation of flue gas dust collectors re-sulted in the reduction of airborne dust

„Can you estimate how much air quality in the Karlovy Vary region has improved

in comparison with other regions of the Czech Republic?“

The air pollution load in the Karlovy Vary region is low. The region can be compared to the least polluted regions such as the South Bohemian Region or the Vysočina region. This is also repor-ted in the Statistical Yearbook of the Czech Republic 2009. The average an-nual ground-level concentration of SO2 in the Karlovy Vary region has decreased by more than 80 % and the ground-level concentration of particulate matter has fallen by more than 50 %. The reduction in the amount of airborne dust concerns mainly large particles. As far as smaller particles are concerned, the reduction is not so remarkable.

„What are the biggest air polluters in the region?“

Among the biggest air polluters in the region are companies such as CEZ Tisová, Dalkia, a.s. Mariánské Lázně, Sokolovská uhelná, právní nástupce, a.s. and others. All big polluters are listed on the CHMI website.

„Where can people find up-to-date in-formation about local concentrations?“

Up-to-date ground-level concentrati-ons are published at www.chmi.cz in the Air Quality section.

Interview...Ing. Helena Plachá

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Did you know that air pollution may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs toge-ther with about 75 % of other living species 65 million years ago? What caused this gi-gantic disaster?

Many researchers across the globe have been trying to answer this question for many years. At present, the Alvarez impact hypothesis seems to be the most probable.

It claims that a large asteroid hit the Ear-th resulting in a vast dust cloud that blocked the sunlight causing darkness to fall across the globe. For several decades, the tempe-rature fell below freezing point, killing plants and causing herbivores to lose their food supply. Only small mammals survived be-cause of their less demanding lifestyle. They overcame the disappearance of plants and mastered the world.

The hypothesis was firstly suggested by Louis Alvarez, a Spanish researcher.

All images, unless stated otherwise, the archives for the Environmental Centre Most for Krušhohoří and may not be reproduced without his consent. On the issue of Green reports authored participates Environmental Centre Most and Kralupy, for the content of Ing. M. Vágnerová, Mgr. R. ČervenkovÁ, Bc D. Kovaříková, J. Krátká and B. Nováková, a graphic design corresponds to M. Černá.

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