Long-term performance of air quality networks: implications in health and environmental management
Galán-Madruga D. de Lourdes Berríos Cintrón M. Broomandi P. Oleniacz R. Cáceres J.O.
December 2025Springer Nature
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
2025#22Issue 1616325 - 16350 pp.
Potential changes in the air pollutant spatial gradient may modify the performance of air quality networks, affecting function fulfillment. This study aims to elucidate, for the first time, whether the air quality networks’ design may be sustained over time. For that, temporal-spatial indicators were assessed in the long term. Particulate matter data (2005–2022) monitored by two target air quality networks (interior southwest European region) were regarded as a case study. The approach was applied to 2005–2022 particulate matter data. Broadly, the implementation of current European legislation (from 2008) has translated into a noticeable decrease in pollution levels. Polluting disparities were observed within the same fixed station category (urban, suburban, and rural). Diverse fixed monitoring stations showed different long-term pollution sceneries, evidencing varied exposure contexts. Distinct spatial patterns (quali- and quantitatively) were observed at global and local levels. Although the annual average PM2.5/PM10 ratio remains stable, suggesting common emission sources, the legislative limit exceedances are not sustained over the study due to fluctuating environmental conditions. Meteorological variables, particularly temperature, consistently impact particulate matter. Variable long-time environmental pollution situations may affect the performance of air quality networks. Based on a solid body of evidence, this work reveals needing to assess the long-time performance of air quality networks to secure the adequate fulfillment of their functions, given that non-redundant stations can become redundant ones and vice versa, thereby serving as a helpful methodology to complement current European air quality directives due to the lack of harmonized methodologies to achieve such an objective.
Air quality networks , Environmental sciences , Health implications , Legislative frame , PM10 and PM2.5 particles , Temporal and spatial behavior
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National Reference Laboratory of Air Quality, National Centre for Environmental Health (CNSA), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda a Pozuelo, Madrid, 28222, Spain
Department of Health Sciences, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Barranquitas Campus, Bo. Helechal Street 156, Barranquitas, Puerto Rico
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Environmental Management and Protection, Faculty of Geo-Data Science, Geodesy and Environmental Engineering, AGH University of Krakow, 30 Mickiewicza Av, Kraków, 30-059, Poland
Laser Chemistry Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza de Ciencias 1, Madrid, 28040, Spain
ISCIII-UNED PhD Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
National Reference Laboratory of Air Quality
Department of Health Sciences
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Environmental Management and Protection
Laser Chemistry Research Group
ISCIII-UNED PhD Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health
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