Image from http://ust.is/library/Skrar/Atvinnulif/Mengandi-starfsemi/Fluor-Reydarfirdi/Fluormaeling_juni_2_2014.pdf. Number in circles shows the concentration.
The reference value for livestock fodder is 40 µg/g, but as can be seen from the figure, the values are higher in several areas outside the dilution area (yellow line).
Hopefully the aluminum smelter can find ways to reduce this pollution soon.
We, Sigurður Björnsson and Þröstur Þorsteinsson, recently published a paper where we compare the health limits for H2S in Iceland with other countries (states within US, and so on).
It is clear that Iceland does not have uniquely strict health limits – despite claim to the contrary by the power companies in the media.
The figure below shows the comparison (click to get a slightly larger image).
The Icelandic health limit (green line), the WHO guideline (red line) and standards/guidelines for the countries/states in question. Averaging times are in brackets.
We also gathered on one graph the various effects exposure to high levels of H2S can have, the odor detection limits, and the Icelandic and WHO health limits.
Effects of H2S on olfaction and health. If the concentration is similar to the Icelandic
health limit, it has to increase 300 fold for people to experience discomfort due to eye irritation. Red squares are maxima, green squares minima. The scale for the y-axis is logarithmic.
The WHO limit is set to avoid acute effects, and therefore not strictly comparable to the Icelandic limit, which is set to avoid health effects of long term exposure.
Sigurður Björnsson og Þröstur Þorsteinsson. 2013 (prentað 2014). Heilsuverndarmörk brennisteinsvetnis og styrkur þess á höfuðborgarsvæðinu. Náttúrufræðingurinn 83(3-4): 151 - 158.
Today, 19 February 2014, there has been a very high concentration of PM10 in Reykjavik, and other places in Iceland.
Very strong eastern winds been dominant today, and dry weather – till there was a little bit of flurries in Reykjavik in the afternoon – for instance.
The weather conditions at 17, still strong winds. Notice also the division in temperature, below zero in the northern part, and above zero in the southern part of the country.
Wind speed in Reykjavík. Notice that when the wind climes up around noon, we see a peak in the PM10 values. Around 16 there were some snow flurries, and that can also be seen in the PM10 values.
Particulate matter (PM10) concentration measured at Grensásvegur (GRE) went quite high today.
The highest value is about 2133 µg/m3!
There are also news about a lot of dust/ash being resuspended in the east, around Kirkjubæjarklaustur for instance:
Rykský yfir Kirkjubæjarklaustri
As mentioned earlier today, our best chance of avoiding high levels of PM10 was that the wind would start blowing. And it did
We can see that after 12 noon, and especially after 15:00, the wind speed (red line) and gusts (brown line) picked up.
The effect is easily seen on PM10 (blue line), and NOx (yellowish line).
It looks as we might exceed the health limit, 50 µg/m3 for 24-hour average?
Finally, below are plots of the number of cars driving west and east down Ártúnsbrekka – few kilometers from the measurement station.
West:
East:
Today is a very nice day here in Reykjavik. Weather is sunny, temperature just below freezing and very calm winds.
Windspeed in Reykjavik (data from the IMO). Since about 6 am the windspeed has very calm, under 2 m/s and no gusts.
This unfortunatly also means that the concentration of particulate matter is quite high; at the measurement station at Grensásvegur – at an intersection of two busy streets. The high levels are due to traffic. This is clearly seen by looking at NOx (orange line), which is emitted by cars, and PM10 (blue line).
It will be intersting how large the top will be in the afternoon. The only thing that can prevent high concentration is stronger wind or precipitation.
