Development of Meteorological Criteria for Classifying PM_(2.5) Risk in a Coastal Industrial Province in Thailand

10.4209/aaqr.230321

Patipat Vongruang；Kansak Suppoung；Sukrit Kirtsaeng；Kritana Prueksakorn；Pham Thi Bich Thao；Sittichai Pimonsree

Air quality management ； Meteorological condition ； PM_(2.5) ； Air quality risk ； Ventilation index

Aerosol and Air Quality Research

24卷10期（2024 / 10 / 01）

1 - 16+ap8

英文

The meteorological criteria for classifying the risk of PM_(2.5) problems were developed through a comprehensive approach in Samut Prakan, an industrial province located on the coast in a tropical climate zone. The relationship between meteorological criteria and PM_(2.5) risk level was conducted by analyzing the dataset of observed PM_(2.5) and meteorological parameters from 2018 to 2021. The results indicate that PM_(2.5) issues primarily arise during winter, with January recording the highest monthly concentration, exceeding the annual average by 83%. The high concentration in winter is related to low temperatures, wind speeds, and PBL heights that lead to low ventilation, which is 28% lower than the annual average in January. In the dry season, the mean daily ventilation index (VI) is the most sensitive meteorological parameter for PM_(2.5) variation and is used to classify PM_(2.5) risk levels: low risk (0-37 µg m^(-3)) when VI > 2,369 m^2 s^(-1); moderate risk (38-50 µg m^(-3)) when VI = 1,606-2,369 m^2 s^(-1); high risk (51-91 µg m^(-3)) when VI = 886-1,605 m^2 s^(-1); and very high risk (> 91 µg m^(-3)) when VI < 886 m^2 s^(-1). Meteorological criteria should be developed for each region based on climate, emission characteristics, methods, and data used for calculating these criteria, along with other local factors.