The quality air in Santa Coloma
The Network Monitoring and Forecast of Air Pollution (XVPCA) in Catalonya, monitoring the air quality is carried out by the Network Monitoring and Forecast of Air Pollution (XVPCA). The Network is a detection system emissión levels of major pollutants has a pyramidal structure with the base formed by the measuring points and the apex at the Centre and Coordinator of Data Receiver.
The stations or points of measures emmissión levels of major pollutants are carried out by teams of sampling and analysis-type manual and automatic.
Santa Coloma currently two automatic stations: one at Tower Balldovina and another to the roof of city hall. These two stations of the network have enabled checks daily broadcasts. With respect to meteorological data, there is a season in school Ramon Berenguer searchable from this site.
The monitoring stations have improved in recent years to adapt to new regulatory requirements. It also has been defined and developed an emergency system in case of critical situations.
Next is a graphical representation of the evolving medium annual concentrations of polluting the atmosphere of anthropogenic origin most significant in Santa Coloma in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and the annual limits set by the current legislation in each of the years for those pollutants for which there are annual limits.
The value limit of carbon monoxide (CO) for the protection of health on average eight-time mobile is 10 mg/m3. This ceiling has not been exceeded in any occasion.
The levels of air quality by sulphur dioxide (Sound 2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3) are satisfactory since the concentrations are lower than the legislated limit applicable to lel year 2006.
During the year 2006 the level of ozone has not exceeded at any time nor the threshold of information on the population nor the alert level in this area.
Regarding levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has exceeded the annual limit value for the year 2006 and has not exceeded the permitted number of exceedances of the hourly limit value.
The levels recorded were generally similar to those of previous years, although somewhat higher, and are associated especially to areas where transit transport is the main source of this pollutant.
The daily limit value of exceedances of the levels of particulates (PM10) in diameter suspension of less than 10 microns for the protection of human health is 956; g/m3.
In Santa Coloma surpassed this limit in the year 2006 a total of 43 strokes.
The characterization of particles denotes that the factors causing these values are transport (emissions of pollutants by the exhaust pipe and resuspension) and locally specific industries. The Generalitat of Catalonya, in coordination with the metropolitan municipality has developed an action plan to reduce these values of NO2 and PM10.
How to improve air quality in Santa Coloma
Reduced emissions in the atmosphere making the traffic: Campaigns to promote the use of public transport and Improvement Plan Urban Mobility Since the adoption of environmental action plan has been actively involved in all campaigns Car Free Day Weeks and Mobility with a high participation of citizens.
Some of the criteria raised in recent week include: adherence municipal measures fixed annual mobility and proposals to dynamise and environmental education: awareness-raising events by public transportation, bicycles, workshops, street closures, etc.
In 2006, organized a popular bicycle municipalities north of Barcelona with 600 participants.
The Plan for Improving Urban Mobility was conducted in May 2006 and is based on an analysis and diagnosis of mobility in Santa Coloma who has had intoaccount flows daily mobility and mobility mandatory mobility on foot, mobility cycling, mobility in public transport, mobility in a private vehicle and distribution of goods.
The overall diagnosis has resulted in a number of proposals in summary: Proposal pedestrian network, via bike network, proposed road network and 30 Zones, proposed development of the public transport network and adequacy of the public transport network to the new line 9 subway.
Reduced emissions into the atmosphere by collecting and treating waste Until 2001 the main activity was carried out environmental improvement to the floor of Besòs through the installation of a gas cleaning system (year 1998) to able to comply with regulations then in force (Decree 323/1994) and also with the future legislation on waste incineration.
During the year 2001 was installed a Park Waste to avoid dispersal of waste in different parts of the plant, improving their management. Was recently installed a new turbine and has automated the bridge crane. There has been optimizing the decanting pond sludge.
The incinerator has implemented and certified an Environmental Management System according to ISO 14001 which led to reduced emissions in the atmosphere by industry and commerce.
Reduced emissions in the atmosphere - Industry and commerce
The control and monitoring of emissions from industrial establishments are regulated by specific regulations, local and autonomous, on the activities with environmental impact. In order to identify the industrial activities of the municipality that generate pollutants emitted into the atmosphere and control that remain within the legal limits were are doing different performances.
Regarding the actions of control, this is already being done by several different entities: the council, the Metropolitan Government and the local authority.
Other performances control have been derived from the entry into force of Law Intervention Comprehensive Environmental Management and the consequent updating of the municipal licenses.
Increased natural filter activities basically consist of:
increases the surface of the city with tree planting (performances in areas of Can Zam and vials associated with the Park River; increasing the green areas of the city, and increased wooded road);
The realization of information and awareness campaigns: courses within the program of educational activities; performances awareness within the Atelier Can Manet II, the APIP, The CIFO, and citizens' organisations edition of the guide – The River uses.
