CONCENTRATION OF PARTICULATE MATTER ASSOCIATED TO A CROSSROAD TRAFFIC FROM CLUJ-NAPOCA CITY

Large cities crossroads are areas with high pollution level generated by heavy traffic, especially during rush hours. Furthermore, pollution level is increased by heavy traffic through excessive releases of toxic gases and particulate matter. In order to highlight the quality of urban atmosphere in the area of major crossroads from Cluj-Napoca City, particulate matter concentration was monitored in an important crossroad from the southern part of the city, using a direct-reading instrument, the DustTrak Aerosol Monitor, model 8520. The obtained data include the concentration levels of the particulate matter with a diameter ranging between 0.1 and 10 mu m. The results were discussed in relation to the crossroad traffic, thus highlighting the influence of heavy traffic on the particulate matter pollution level. The analysis of medium values showed the poor correlation with meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed) during the measurement interval.