Monitoring and Zoning of PM2.5, PM10 and VOCs Concentration in Air of Gorgan City in 2016

Background & Aim: Increasing of air pollution in cities seriously threatens the health of its inhabitants.  PM2.5, PM10 and volatile organic compounds are amongst the air pollutants that their existence in the air in excess concentrations, leads to respiratory and cardiovascular problems, cancer and mortality. Therefore, the concentration of these pollutants in the air of Gorgan city was measured and zoned. Methods: The present study is an observational and cross-sectional descriptive work during which the concentration of mentioned pollutants were measured at 8 stations in different parts of the city for 12 months between June 2016 and May 2017. The obtained results were zoned in the Arc View ver: 10.3. Results: The results showed that PM2.5 emission is higher at the square of the shahrdari, mazandaran and jahad depot and the maximum emission of PM10 and volatile organic compounds were found at the Sayed Masoud station. Generally, the average monthly concentration of each pollutant during one year, was higher in the cold seasons. The average annual amount of PM2.5, PM10 and volatile organic compounds was 30, 41 µg/m3 and 0.81 ppm, respectively which amounts to PM2.5 and volatile organic compounds according to the EPA standard and the clean air was more than limit standard. Conclusion: Therefore, regarding the adverse effects of these pollutants on human health and the environment, and in order to reduce the release of these chemicals into the air, policies and control measures should be taken.