Implications for UK coal-fired power stations of a move to a particulate matter standard based on PM2.5. (8th February 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griffiths, Stephen; Booth, Victoria; Lennard, Robert
• Is Part Of: International journal of environment and pollution. Volume 44:Number 1-4(2011)
• Page Start: 252
• Page End: 260
• Publication Date: 2011-02-08
• Subjects: power stations -- fine particulate -- PM25 -- CMAQ -- environmental impact assessment -- UK coal-fired power stations -- United Kingdom -- particulate matter -- modelling -- air pollution -- air quality -- population exposure; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; 363.73
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4352

Abstract

The contribution of UK coal-fired power stations to ambient PM2.5 concentrations has been assessed using short- and long-range modelling. The results suggested a minimal contribution from power stations to both local and regional concentrations of PM2.5 relative to the standards in the proposed European Directive on Ambient Air Quality and only a modest contribution in terms of overall UK PM2.5 levels. Secondary particulate showed a different concentration pattern to primary particulate, the latter being focused on urban areas with high populations. This has important implications for exposure if, as toxicological studies suggest, the toxic component lies predominantly within primary fraction.