Arsenic in particulate matter

A smoking chimneyClick to enlarge
Amongst others arsenic emissions occur when stone coal, brown coal or mineral oil are combusted.
Source: Ralf Geithe / Fotolia.com

Arsenic is toxic and can have metallic or non-metallic characteristics. It rarely occurs elementary but most of the time bound to other substances. In ambient air arsenic is measured bound to particulate matter.

Table of Contents

 

Emission sources

Arsenic emissions are mainly of anthropogenic origin, e.g they occur when stone coal, brown coal or mineral oil is combusted. Another source is the metal industry. Arsenic can also be emitted at volcanic eruptions.

 

Health risks

Arsenic can be absorbed through the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. After chronic absorption through the lungs the mucous membranes and airways are damaged and lung cancer may occur.

 

Air quality standards

There is an Europe-wide target value of 6 ng/m³ as annual mean that is valid since 1 January 2013.

 

Air pollution

Since 2007 the target value was seldom exceeded, at stations in the vicinity of industry only.

The average pollution in urban is about 0.5 ng/m³ in urban areas slightly lower. A bit higher concentrations are measured close to industrial areas, here the average value is about 1,3 ng/m³. The lowest concentrations are measured at the very remote stations of the Environment Agency (0.3 ng/m³).

Arsenic in PM10 - annual mean values 2007 - 2021
Arsenic in PM10 - annual mean values 2007 - 2021
Source: Umweltbundesamt II 4.2 mit Daten der Messnetze der Länder und des Bundes
 

Arsenic in particulate matter - Annual tabulation

Here the annual tabulations from 2007 onwards can be found (station-by-station).