Historical Baseline Assessment of Particulate and Gaseous Pollutants and Associated Health Risks Around a Major Steelworks in Port Talbot, South Wales, United Kingdom

Abstract

This study evaluated the levels and potential health risks of particulate and gaseous pollutants associated with emissions from the Port Talbot steelworks in South Wales, United Kingdom. Air pollutants were monitored at four locations: Fire Station (FS), Prince Street (PS), Dyffryn School (DS), and Little Warren (LW) over a four-week period (April–May 2012) using both offline (Partisol) and online instruments, including the Filter Dynamics Measurement System (FDMS). Concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NOₓ, SO2, CO, O3, and black carbon (BC) were analyzed to characterize pollutant dynamics and source contributions. The mean PM10 concentrations ranged from 21.4 to 49.7 µg m−³, and PM2.5 from 13.2 to 27.6 µg m−³, occasionally exceeding the World Health Organization 24-h guideline of 50 µg m−³. FDMS PM2.5/PM10 ratios indicated dominance of fine particles, whereas Partisol ratios showed higher coarse-particle contributions, likely due to semi-volatile losses in the Partisol sampler. Average gaseous pollutant concentrations were 20.2 ± 8.6 µg m−³ (NOₓ), 68.6 ± 13.1 µg m−³ (O3), 4.6 ± 5.6 µg m−³ (SO2), and 0.3 ± 0.2 mg m−³ (CO). Polar plots and diagnostic ratios (SO2/NOₓ ≈ 0.5 during episodes) identified the steelworks as the dominant emission source under south-westerly winds. The non-carcinogenic health risk assessment (HQ, HI < 1.0) indicated no significant short-term health hazard, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranged from “Good” to “Moderate.” These findings characterize air quality and associated health risks during the April–May 2012 monitoring campaign and establish a historical baseline against which subsequent emission-control measures, industrial transition, and air-quality improvements in Port Talbot can be evaluated.