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Study of human dose to airborne particulate matter and health impacts

Mammou Sofia

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Summary

This thesis investigates the concentrations of PM10 particulate matter in the area of Akrotiri, Chania, as well as the estimation of the dose deposited in the human body. Measurements were carried out during the year 2023 and analyzed on an hourly, daily, and monthly basis. Particulate matter represents one of the most hazardous atmospheric pollutants, as their size allows them to penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and cause severe health effects, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.The analysis of concentrations showed that the highest values were recorded mainly in October, November, and December, a fact associated both with Saharan dust transport and with increased anthropogenic emissions. Daily concentrations often exceeded the established EU limit of 50 μg/m³, resulting in more than 35 exceedances throughout the year. The monthly analysis highlighted that these exceedances are directly linked to meteorological phenomena and seasonal variations that favor pollutant accumulation.For the estimation of the dose, the ExDoM2 dosimetric model was applied, which takes into account particle diameter, concentrations, wind speed, and human activity. The results indicated that the extrathoracic region retains the largest proportion of inhaled particles, approximately 40–50%, while the tracheobronchial region retains around 30%. The alveolar region receives a smaller proportion, about 10%, which, however, corresponds to finer particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm, considered the most dangerous due to their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory system.The correlation between concentrations and daily dose generally showed linear behavior; however, during Saharan dust transport events, deviations were recorded, with daily doses increasing by up to 80% compared to the annual average. These findings reveal that population exposure to high PM10 concentrations often exceeds international safety limits.Overall, the results of this study highlight the need for more targeted environmental policies, as well as for the development of advanced forecasting and early intervention systems, in order to reduce citizens’ exposure to hazardous particulate matter and to protect public health.

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