Assessment of role of concrete factories in particulate matter emissions, 2015-2016, using the AQI index and zoning by GIS software (Case study: Nasr Kashan Concrete Factory)

Background: Reducing the effects of climate change and air pollution is a global priority at present. To formulate effective policies for achieving such a reduction requires a good understanding of the underlying phenomena. This study assessed the role of Nasr Kashan Factory in the emissions of particulate matter (PM). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, PM concentrations at 9 stations inside and around the Nasr Kashan Concrete Factory were determined at the unit's active and inactive times. The air quality index (AQI) was obtained and data was entered into ArcGIS 10.2 to obtain a zoning map of PM dispersion. Results: The results showed that all AQI peaks were within the very healthy or the healthy range at the Factory's inactive times. When the factory was working, the AQIs ranged from 24.1 to 634 μg/m3, which falls into the good and very hazardous categories. These results were dependent upon distance from the factory and were further affected by other produced factors of PM10. Conclusion: The results of this paper showed that average PM emissions at the Nasr Kashan Concrete Factory were much lower during inactive times than during times of activity. Therefore, the Nasr Kashan Concrete Factory plays an important role in the emission of PM and in air pollution in the studied area. PM concentrations were higher near and inside the studied factory, and the AQI was in the hazardous category.