STUDY OF URMIA CITY AIR QUALITY ACCORDING TO THE AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI)

Human health has faced serious risks due to air pollution as a consequence of urbanization. So the World Health Organization has reported more than 1.3 million premature deaths due to urban air pollution in 2010. Continuous monitoring of air quality to determine pollutants and identify their emissions sources are considered as the key strategies for air pollution control. The main objective of this study was evaluation of Urmia air quality and determination of responsible pollutants in 2011-2012. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, the instantaneous concentrations of air pollutants including CO, SO2, NO2 and PM10 were measured at the four stations of Urmia during 2011-2012 by Enviro SA and Ecotec analyzers. Air Quality Index (AQI) was calculated based on interpolation between concentrations of four criteria pollutants (PM10, NO2, SO2 and CO). Then, Urmia air quality based on AQI was classified in groups of good, moderate, unhealthy for the sensitive people, unhealthy, very unhealthy and dangerous. The results of the air quality index indicated that the air quality in 25 days was exceeded the standards in Urmia in 2011-2012. The air quality category included 17 days unhealthy for sensitive groups, 3 days unhealthy, 3 days very unhealthy and 2 days dangerous. Particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide were as the largest responsible pollutants in non-standard conditions for Urmia air pollution, respectively. Incoming particles to the northwest, high vehicle per capita, inversion occurs, use of fossil fuels for heating are the main causes of Urmia air pollution. Common management with Northwest neighbor countries to the control particles emission at the source, green belt creation around the Urmia city, optimizing public transportation, considering environmental standards at the urban transportation management and promoting thermal insulation in residential buildings are the most appropriate strategies proposed to control Urmia air pollution.