15 February 2022
15.02.2022. As part of the project “Supply of project management, air quality information management, behavioral change, and communication services,” supported by MFK/MCC, the activity titled “Monitoring of BTEX in Kosovo” has also been carried out.
BTEX represents a group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are a broad group of carbon-based air pollutants, among which the most important are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. Among the group of light aromatic compounds, which are usually monitored in the context of air quality, benzene is the most important. Benzene is a component of mineral oil and is formed during its processing, originating from both anthropogenic and natural activities. It is still used in industrial processes, emitted from combustion, and dispersed by all types of products, including household economies. This last type of source causes benzene levels to be higher in indoor environments. A relevant source of benzene in ambient air is traffic, which is based on mineral oil.
Exposure to benzene is considered a cause of harmful effects on human health, among which hematotoxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity are the most significant. Benzene monitoring is regulated for purposes of air quality management at national and international levels (Kosovo, European Union, and World Health Organization). The objective of the monitoring campaign assessment was to describe the monitoring operation, process the analytical results obtained in the context of requirements defined by air quality management goals. Furthermore, the monitoring data provided an overview of the air pollution situation in Kosovo with BTEX, which can be used to initiate further investigations.
Sampling locations were selected by the IHMK staff in accordance with the relevant guidelines, based on the locations of the national air quality monitoring network and areas with heavy traffic in urban zones. In some cities, industrial areas were also included. A location that is less exposed to the corresponding pollutants, Germia, was also selected.
The sampling devices were installed at least 2m above ground level and remained in place for a maximum period of 10 weeks. A total of 680 sampling devices were installed, of which about 89.3% provided useful data, while a small number of them experienced technical problems.
The limit values for benzene, listed in the relevant Guidelines and in the EU Air Quality Directive, are 5 µg/m³ as an annual average value, while the target value has been set at 1 µg/m³ as determined by the EU and WHO.
In all monitoring locations, the concentrations are below the limit values and, except for the surrounding area, are above the target value of 1 µg/m³. Benzene levels are between the upper and lower assessment thresholds.
The average benzene concentrations indicate that levels in Kosovo are below the limits set in the relevant Guidelines, but above the target value established by the EU and WHO.
For more, see the report “Monitoring of BTEX in Kosovo”.