Ambient concentrations of PM10, PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals in an urban site of Gyor, Hungary

An assessment of the air quality of GyAr (Hungary) was performed by determining the ambient concentrations of PM10, PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and regulated heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As and Ni) in the period of 2008-2012. The PM10 concentrations ranged from 7.90 to 119.14 mu g/m(3) with the mean value of 34.94 mu g/m(3). On average, the total PAHs (sum of the concentrations of 18 individual PAH compounds) and the four metals contents in the PM10 fraction amounted to 0.04 and 0.06 %, respectively. The total PAH concentrations ranged from 0.29 to 88.30 ng/m(3), which were predominated by intermediate and high molecular weight PAHs. Higher concentrations of both PM10 and PAHs were detected in samples collected in the heating seasons. The mean metallic concentrations calculated for the 5-year sampling period were found in decreasing order of Pb (14.47 ng/m(3)), Ni (3.73 ng/m(3)), As (0.64 ng/m(3)) and Cd (0.60 ng/m(3)). Very little seasonal variation was observed in metal concentrations. Moreover, the comparison of the PM10, bezo[a]pyrene (BaP) and heavy metal concentrations determined with other Hungarian and European urban sites and the limit or target values for health protection has revealed that the air quality of GyAr and other Hungarian cities for the above pollutants generally corresponds to the EU average. It is important to reduce PM10 and BaP pollution to concentrations lower than those specified in current legislation. However, the Hungarian cities have excellent air quality with respect to heavy metals.