ABOUT THE PROJECT

One of the most problematic pollutants in our air is the carcinogen Benzo[a]pyrene. Benzo[a]pyrene is part of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon class of chemicals, which generally have serious effects on human health. Its concentrations at many air pollution monitoring stations in the Czech Republic exceed the limit set by Act No. 201/2012 Coll.

The Centre for Transport Research, a public research institution, has started work on the project „Detailed monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in connection with the Program for the Improvement of Air Quality in the Southeast Zone CZ06Z 2020+ (PAUPZKO)“, which is supported by Call-2A "Tromso" within the program "Environment, Ecosystems and Climate Change", supported by Norway Grants. The dates of the project are May 2021 to April 2024. Experts from the company Bucek, L.L.C., are involved with the fulfilment of the project.

What is the goal of the project?

The goal is to develop action plans for both the Vysočina Region and the South Moravia Region, where appropriate measures will be proposed to reduce Benzo[a]pyrene concentrations. This was specified as the most problematic pollutant for the Vysočina and South Moravia Regions by the Program for the Improvement of Air Quality in the Southeast Zone CZ06Z 2020+, which was prepared by the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic.

Where will the measurements take place?

Environmental experts from the Centre for Transport Research will perform detailed measurements and evaluations of the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including the mentioned carcinogenic substance, at selected 60 locations in the South Moravia Region and 60 in the Vysočina Region. Based on the results, Bucek, L.L.C. will create action plans and propose specific measures to reduce the concentrations for each region separately.

When?

The measurements will be taken during two heating seasons and one non-heating season.

In addition to measuring the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the municipalities specified in the Air Quality Improvement Plan will also be targets for the implementation of corrective measures and measurements for other pollutants: SO₂, NO, NO₂, NO_x, CO, O₃, PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM₁.

How were the municipalities selected?

The target municipalities were selected by the Air Quality Improvement Plan, which was prepared by the Ministry of the Environment, mainly on the basis of data obtained from model calculations; there was a lack of data from real measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Therefore, the project is designed so that the data obtained from real measurements will cover the largest possible area of the southeastern zone. The goal will be to determine the state of pollution not only in the mentioned problematic locations but also for the other pollutants for which legislation sets air pollution limits to protect health.

Cooperation with regional authorities

Representatives of both regions from the relevant environmental departments are involved in the project, especially for the selection of suitable locations. They know the local conditions and have many years of experience with the implementation of activities related to air quality. They will be consulted numerous times during the elaboration of the action plans, specifically with regard to the proposals for measures to reduce the concentrations of the monitored pollutants.