REVIEW OF SELECTED AIR POLLUTANTS IN BIELSKO-BIAŁA IN 2018-2022

Background
Based on the European Commission’s analysis, approximately 47,000 Polish residents die prematurely every year due to air pollution, including 36,500 due to PM2.5 suspended dust. Short-term exposure to dust causes a severe reaction in the most sensitive groups of the population, and the effects of this exposure may include adverse impact on lung function, premature deaths and more days absent from school and work. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of atmospheric air pollution in the city of Bielsko-Biała in the years 2018-2022 in terms of nitrogen dioxide, suspended dust PM2.5 and PM10, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, lead, cadmium and arsenic. The number of hospitalized residents of Poland and the Silesian Voivodeship in the years 2018-2022 due to cancer, respiratory and circulatory system diseases, congenital defects and deformities was also analyzed.

Material and methods
The article takes into account data from the Provincial Inspectorate of Environmental Protection in Katowice and the Health Department of the Silesian Provincial Office in Katowice.

Results
In the years 2018-2022, the average annual concentration of suspended dust decreased. The most hospitalized residents of the Silesian Voivodeship and Poland due to cancer were recorded in 2018 and amounted to 237.3/10,000 and 243.4/10,000, respectively, while the least were in 2022: 211.6/10,000 and 218.3/10,000.

Conclusions
In the analyzed period from 2018 to 2022, the discussed average annual concentrations of substances and elements were not exceeded. Number of hospitalized residents of Poland and the Silesian Voivodeship due to cancer and respiratory diseases is decreasing.