Benzo(a)pyrene emissions in cities of the Upper Silesia industrial area in Southern Poland: 1980-2005

The aim of our study was to evaluate the levels of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in the atmosphere in administrative units of the Upper Silesia Industrial Area, and to analyze their changes in the period 1980-2005. We calculated the average annual concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene for the administrative units of Katowice, Bytom, Dąbrowa Gornicza, and Ruda Śląska. Join point regression analysis was used to evaluate time trends of BaP pollution levels. The obtained values of BaP concentrations indicate that the allowable average annual concentration of the compound was significantly exceeded. The highest concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene were recorded in Bytom and Ruda Śląska. Favorable decreasing trends have occurred in all administrative units. The trend persisted until the end of the studied period (excluding Dąbrowa Gornicza). Nevertheless, in 2005 the annual average concentration of BaP still exceeded the Polish norm of 1 ng/m³.