5 Petaloti (2006) Samara (2005) Triantafyllou (2005) Triantafyllou (2003) Triantafyllou (2000) This study, which was the first to publish PM10 measurements for Kozani, for the period 19911994, showed that: “the annual mean concentration of PM10 in the southern [Eordea Mountain Basin] for 19911993 exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality standard, while during the next year this value was ... approximately equal to [this] standard ... The minimum concentrations during the entire 24-hr period were in the range of 50-70 μg/m3, depending on the time of the year". The average monthly concentration of PM10 from January 1991 to December 1994 was below the 50μg/m3 short-term limit level in only 17 out of 48 months (this should normally not be exceeded on more than 35 days a year). Only 4 months in 48 had a daily average below the 40 μg/m3 level which is the standard for long-term exposure. lower PM10 concentrations occurred during spring, and were caused by natural precipitation of particulates because of rainfall. The author also indicates that in summer, the “causes of the high concentration were the lignite mining operation, the open coal mines and the absence of wet removal processes”. This study analysed the measurements of TSP at eight measurement stations (and PM10 at one) from 1983-1998 and shows that the EU long-term limit-level of 150μg/m–3 for TSP was exceeded at: K. Spor (measurements 1985-1996) from 1985 to 1987 DEH Village (measurements 1986-1998) from 1986 to 1994 and in 1996 Komanos (measurements 1983-1997) from 1983 to 1986, 1988 to 1990 and 1993 to 1996 Akrini (measurements 1985-1997) from 1985 to 1990 Moreover, the EU short-term TSP limit-level of 300μg/m–3 was exceeded in: K. Spor from 1985 to 1987 DEH Village from 1986 to 1994 and in 1996 Komanos from 1984 to 1986, in 1989 and from 1994 to 1996 Finally, in Kozani both long- and short-term limit-levels for PM10 (of 40 and 50μg/m–3 respectively) were exceeded for all three years measured (1996-1998). This study using measurements for both TSP and PM10 from 1997 to 2003 concluded that: 80% of the particulates escaping from electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) were in the range <10μm, and 25% of these were in the range <2.5μm, which is of critical importance for human health related effects. TSP long-term exposure limit levels were only exceeded in Klitos. No conclusions could be drawn about short-term exposure limit-levels. PM10 long-term exposure limit levels were only exceeded in Klitos and Kozani. PM10 short-term exposure limit-levels were exceeded on at least 25% of days in Oikismos and Pentavrisos, at least 10% of days in Florina, and possibly 10% of days in Koilada and Pontokomi. In other words, between five and seven of the nine existing stations recorded excess values of this parameter. This source apportionment study found that TSP long-term exposure limit-levels from 20002001 were only exceeded in Klitos. But it also found that limit-levels for Arsenic (As), mainly associated with diesel combustion particulates, were exceeded in Pontokomi, DEH community, Kozani, Klitos, Florina, Ptolemaida and Vegoritis. An analysis of the effect of wind on TSP concentration found that in six out of nine measurement stations increases in TSP levels in ambient air were associated with DEH’s mining and combustion activities. Moreover, the long-term exposure limit-levels for cadmium (5 ng/m–3), arsenic (6 ng/m–3) and nickel (20 ng/m–3) associated with PM10 were exceeded at Klitos (Cd, As, Ni), Kozani (As), Ptolemaida (As) and Florina (As). Cadmium and Arsenic were strongly associated with diesel combustion, a source of emissions in itself largely attributable to DEH’s activities. 15. The MFHR states that it is not aware of any specific studies in the Megalopolis region, where some of the oldest lignite-fired power stations in Greece are located.