Monitoring of the concentration of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen dioxide in the Vesuvius National Park

Abstract

In this work, the air concentration of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) in the area of the Vesuvius National Park (Naples, Southern Italy) was monitored. These values are fundamental to evaluate the effects of these pollutants on both the works of archaeological, historical and artistic interest and the numerous people who visit these sites. The atmosphere in the considered area was characterised by high PM pollution (average concentrations: 59.1 g/m 3 and 50.1 g/m 3 for PM10 and PM2.5 respectively), a quite high concentration of BTEX (average total concentration of 8.25 g/m 3 ), and an average concentration of 10.3 μg/m 3 of NO2.