Chapter 56
Detailed Assessment of a Smog Situation
Detected in the Sajó Valley, Hungary
Zita Ferenczi, Emese Homolya and László Bozó
Abstract The impacts of air pollution on the environment and health is a very
actual topic in Hungary. By understanding the connections between the pollution
that humanity produces and the meteorological situations, we can make the changes
that are necessary to prevent smog episodes and to pass on a more sustainable world
to future generations. Primarily during winter and fall seasons, episodes of poor air
quality related to high concentrations of particulate matter are frequent, especially
in the eastern part of Hungary. These situations are often connected to special meteorological conditions—such as cold air cushion—which do not help the mixing and
dilution of air pollutants. Usually this type of meteorological condition is coupled
with very low ambient air temperature, which can urge the usage of more solid fuel
(wood and coal), therefore result in an increase of PM 10 emission from domestic
heating. Such a situation developed at the end of January 2017 in the Sajó Valley,
Hungary. The aim of the present study is to examine the meteorological background
of the extreme high PM 10 concentrations which could contribute to the developing of
the smog situation, and to estimate the growth rate of the emission from residential
combustion due to the low ambient air temperature.
56.1 Introduction
Nowadays particulate matter (PM) is one of the most frequently cited pollutants
since it has many negative impacts on the ecosystem, built environment and especially on human health. Local and regional meteorology, including wind speed, wind
direction, atmospheric stability, long-range transport and pollution dispersion are all
Z. Ferenczi (B) · E. Homolya · L. Bozó
Hungarian Meteorological Service, Kitaibel Pál u. 1, Budapest 1024, Hungary
e-mail: ferenczi.z@met.hu
E. Homolya
e-mail: homolya.e@met.hu
L. Bozó
e-mail: bozo.l@met.hu
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
C. Mensink et al. (eds.), Air Pollution Modeling and its Application XXVI,
Springer Proceedings in Complexity,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22055-6_56
351
Detailed Assessment of a Smog Situation
Detected in the Sajó Valley, Hungary
Zita Ferenczi, Emese Homolya and László Bozó
Abstract The impacts of air pollution on the environment and health is a very
actual topic in Hungary. By understanding the connections between the pollution
that humanity produces and the meteorological situations, we can make the changes
that are necessary to prevent smog episodes and to pass on a more sustainable world
to future generations. Primarily during winter and fall seasons, episodes of poor air
quality related to high concentrations of particulate matter are frequent, especially
in the eastern part of Hungary. These situations are often connected to special meteorological conditions—such as cold air cushion—which do not help the mixing and
dilution of air pollutants. Usually this type of meteorological condition is coupled
with very low ambient air temperature, which can urge the usage of more solid fuel
(wood and coal), therefore result in an increase of PM 10 emission from domestic
heating. Such a situation developed at the end of January 2017 in the Sajó Valley,
Hungary. The aim of the present study is to examine the meteorological background
of the extreme high PM 10 concentrations which could contribute to the developing of
the smog situation, and to estimate the growth rate of the emission from residential
combustion due to the low ambient air temperature.
56.1 Introduction
Nowadays particulate matter (PM) is one of the most frequently cited pollutants
since it has many negative impacts on the ecosystem, built environment and especially on human health. Local and regional meteorology, including wind speed, wind
direction, atmospheric stability, long-range transport and pollution dispersion are all
Z. Ferenczi (B) · E. Homolya · L. Bozó
Hungarian Meteorological Service, Kitaibel Pál u. 1, Budapest 1024, Hungary
e-mail: ferenczi.z@met.hu
E. Homolya
e-mail: homolya.e@met.hu
L. Bozó
e-mail: bozo.l@met.hu
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
C. Mensink et al. (eds.), Air Pollution Modeling and its Application XXVI,
Springer Proceedings in Complexity,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22055-6_56
351