Civil aviation impacts on local air quality: A survey inside two international airports in central Italy

Diffusive sampling of gaseous species (NO2, SO2, BTX and O-3) was performed at several sites inside the airports. During 2012 the investigation was improved by including PM10 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Higher concentrations of NO2 (+18%) and lower of SO2 (-20%) were found at airport B, compared to A, over the whole period investigated. The maximum concentrations of SO2 were measured in 2011 at both airports (13.4 mu g/m(3) and 10.8 mu g/m(3) respectively for A and B), despite the decrease of aircraft traffic load recorded. Statistical analysis of PM-to data showed that there was no significant difference between the average concentrations measured at the two airports (25.7 mu g/m(3) and 27.4 mu g/m(3) for A and B respectively) and among the sites investigated. The concentration of PAHs at airport B (4.3 ng/m(3)) was almost twice that of airport A (2.2 ng/m(3)), though the respective percentages of compounds were similar.

The results of air quality monitoring carried out over several years (2008-2012) in two international airports near Rome (labelled as A and B) are reported and discussed. Airport A serves regular flights, airport B operates low-cost flights and, during the period investigated, had about 17% of airport A aircraft traffic load.