Abstract:

Assessing air quality in high urbanized areas and finding solution for most important pollutants (NOx, CO, SO2, VOC, PM, O3, and heavy metals emissions) remains a challenge for authorities and public in aimed areas. The harmful effects upon humans and environmental health is the reason of all concerns. Lots of studies have been developed, in this area, worldwide. Majority of these state that traffic is the most important source of air pollution in crowded cities. The aim of this study consists in establishing the status quo of NOx pollution status in Cluj - Napoca. NOx air pollution was quantified during a year period (2013), in two locations correspondent to high traffic and position of automatic air quality monitoring stations placed by The Agency of Environmental Protection Cluj. Parameters were monitored using a mobile equipment. The average values of the analyzed parameters are different function of monitoring point. We noticed statistically significant differences between monitoring points, but in all cases the average concentrations are over the maximum admitted annual limit, 30 ppb, respectively. Further research and more intense concerns are needed from both public and authorities, in order to diminish the nitrogen oxides quantity in environmental air.

Keywords: