Good air quality in the capital region 2022 - Main emission sources: Traffic and wood burning

Factors that worsen the air quality in the capital region are traffic exhaust emissions, road dust and emissions from wood burning. Traffic primarily contributes to emissions of exhaust gases such as nitrogen dioxide and road dust into the air.

"The amount of traffic in the capital region increased last year, which increased nitrogen dioxide concentrations in areas of heavy traffic. For example, nitrogen dioxide levels rose in Helsinki's Mäkelänkatu compared to the previous two years. The renewal of the car fleet and the increase in electric cars will reduce exhaust gas concentrations in the long term," says Saija KorhonenHSY's air protection expert.

According to HSY's measurements, the annual limit value for nitrogen dioxide was not exceeded at any air quality measuring station last year. However, WHO's stricter annual recommendation for nitrogen dioxide was exceeded at almost all measuring stations. The annual and daily limit values ​​for road dust were not exceeded at any of the air quality measurement stations. The annual average concentrations of road dust in heavily trafficked areas were the same or slightly higher than in 2021.

The challenges of road dust in spring - air quality sensors help with measurements

Road dust still creates challenges in the capital region, especially in spring. Last year, the threshold value of respirable particles was exceeded at several HSY measurement stations in traffic environments. The most days exceeding the threshold value, 29 days, were recorded on Hämeenlinnanväylä. The threshold can be exceeded no more than 35 days a year.

In addition to traditional measurements, last year HSY also monitored road dust concentrations on the main streets and routes of the capital region with indicative small measuring devices, i.e. sensors. The sensors provide supplementary measurement data and do not monitor compliance with threshold values. The measurement results of the sensors are now reported for the first time in the capital region's annual air quality report.

"With the help of these small measuring devices, we are able to measure road dust concentrations in areas where air quality measuring stations cannot be placed. There are 11 measuring stations and 10 sensors, so the sensor-based road dust measurement network in the capital is expanding significantly. This helps to better target dust control measures and irrigation during the road dust season," explains Korhonen.

The effects of wood burning on air quality are weaker than expected

The rise in energy prices led to an increase in wood burning in homes. However, the impact of wood burning on air quality was smaller than expected.

"The increase in wood burning did not significantly affect the air quality of the residential areas. Mild winters and weather conditions favorable for the dilution of pollutants contributed to the fact that the pollution concentrations did not rise as high as they could have risen during quiet periods of frost," he says. Korhonen.

Burning wood releases, among other things, fine particles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which increase the risk of cancer, such as benzo(a)pyrene. In 2022, the concentrations of small particles were lower than the previous year and clearly below the annual limit value. However, the WHO's annual and daily guideline values ​​for small particles were exceeded at several measuring stations.

The annual concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene increased slightly in 2022 compared to previous years, but remained below the target value. In the long term, measurements made both in the capital region and in other areas of Uusimaa have shown a slight decrease in benzo(a)pyrene concentrations. In the capital region and other areas of Uusimaa, air quality can be monitored in real time here.

Information about air pollutants

  • Although the air quality in Finland is generally good, air pollution still causes health problems here as well.
  • Air pollution is particularly harmful to the elderly, people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, small children and asthmatics. Air pollution often worsens the symptoms of heart and respiratory diseases.
  • Nitrogen oxides (NOx) in breathing air originate from emissions, mainly from traffic, diesel vehicles and heavy traffic. Of the oxides of nitrogen, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the most harmful to health. In high concentrations, it narrows the airways and increases respiratory symptoms, especially in children and asthmatics.
  • Inhalable particles (PM10) are mostly generated from road dust caused by traffic, which can cause health problems. The increase in road dust concentrations affects the well-being of people with respiratory diseases in particular.
  • Small particles (PM2.5) are mainly generated from traffic emissions and wood burning. In addition, they can be transported to the capital region from outside the country's borders. Small particles are considered particularly harmful to health because they can penetrate deep into the peripheral areas of the lungs.

HT


https://nord.news/2023/06/28/good-air-quality-in-the-capital-region-2022-main-emission-sources-traffic-and-wood-burning/?feed_id=35272

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