AIR QUALITY AND VARIATIONS IN PM10 POLLUTANT CONCENTRATION IN WESTERN IRAN DURING A FOUR - YEAR PERIOD (2008-2011), KERMANSHAH - A CASE STUDY

The present study explored the quality of PM10, over a four-year period in the western part of Iran. A total of 1334 samples were collected from air pollution measurement stations in Kermanshah. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS ver. 14. The results showed that the total percent change in PM10 over a period of 4 years was 10.04%, 59.2%, 26.4%, 0.7% and 3.3%. The highest and the lowest frequencies of PM10 occurred in February with 37.7%, June and July with 0%; winter and summer months with 21.96 and 4.81%, respectively. The results are depicted that the air quality in July, the summer months and 2008 was worst in terms of PM10 concentration, which was mainly due to the fluctuations and acute entrance of dust particles into western Iran. Hence, the reduction in such emissions is indispensable and requires extensive and considerable cooperation between the government of Iran and the neighbouring countries.