The Effect of Meteorological Conditions on PM10 and PM2.5 Pollution of the Air

The work is based on results of hourly measurements of the particles PM10 and PM2.5 as well as 24-h measurements of meteorological elements in Siedlce. Analysis spanned the years 2012-2016. Based on the Polish Index of Air Quality developed by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOS), there were determined numbers of days in six air quality classes. Analysis of the effect of meteorological conditions on particulate matter content in the air was based on 24-h concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 exceeding the standard value of 50 mu g/m(3) for PM10 and 25 mu g/m(3) for PM2.5. Variation in the excessive concentrations in weather conditions described by means of air temperature, air humidity, wind direction and speed was assessed by means of Wright path analysis. Satisfactory, poor and very poor air quality was recorded in winter only. Path analysis revealed that variation in pollution is affected by wind speed and direction as well as air temperature. Increased concentrations of particulate matter were found mainly on days with low wind speed and low air temperature.