The Study of Air Pollution with Coal Dust in Nakhodka City and Posyet Settlement (Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation)

Abstract In recent years, the export volumes of Russian coal to the Asia-Pacific countries have been continuously growing. Coal dust is among of the strongest air pollutants. The article describes the study of airborne particulate matter in large transport hubs of the Primorsky Krai (Russian Far East): Nakhodka city and Posyet urban-type settlement using the method of measuring the mass and quantitative concentrations of particulate matter. It is shown that the air of these areas is polluted with particulate matter with diameter below 10 microns (PM10). The absolute dominance of 0.3 μm and 0.5 μm particles was revealed in the air of both areas. According to the Russian hygienic standard, the maximum permissible concentrations of PM were exceeded only at several sampling points. However, when compared to some international standards, the content of PM exceeded maximum permissible values at 42% of sampling points in Nakhodka city and at 43% of sampling points in Posyet settlement. It is advisable to install systems for continuous environmental monitoring of air pollution with coal dust particles near coal terminals.