Atmospheric PAH in Italy: Experience and concentration levels

Levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) recorded in several towns and metropolitan areas of Italy are presented. The actual differences betw een aerial PAH detected in Northern and Southern Italy were lesser than exp ected., although in the former case a deeper impact could derive from domes tic heating, human activities and adverse climatic conditions. Large differ ences of aerial levels were recorded between high traffic street sites and those of other typologies, but at city parks pollutants reached concentrati ons similar to those observed at residential zones. High winter versus summ er differences of PAH levels were also observed.