Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Intercomparison of estimates of atmospheric benzo (a) pyrene from four models in Europe and related health impacts

TitleIntercomparison of estimates of atmospheric benzo (a) pyrene from four models in Europe and related health impacts
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2026
AuthorsVivanco, Marta G., Theobald Mark R., Gusev Alexey, Couvidat Florian, Gil Victoria, Adani Mario, Mircea Mihaela, Kouznetsov Rostislav D., Kadantsev Evgeny V., Sofiev Mikhail A., Holland Mike, Gamarra Ana, Lechón Yolanda, Colette Augustin, D'Elia Ilaria, Briganti Gino, Bolignano Andrea, Russo Felicita, Garrido Juan Luis, and Hernández Coralina
JournalJournal of Environmental Sciences
Date Published04/2026
KeywordsAir quality modelling, Benzo(a)pyrene, Health impacts
Abstract

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is commonly used as an indicator of the carcinogenic risk from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The European target for annual average BaP concentration (1.0 ng/m³) is frequently exceeded in Central Europe. Limited monitoring of BaP in Europe means that air quality and health impact estimates rely on modelled data, although model uncertainties can be large. In this study, four chemical transport models (CHIMERE, GLEMOS, MINNI, and SILAM) estimated BaP concentrations across Europe for 2018. All models estimated the highest levels in Central Europe, Northern Italy, and parts of Eastern Europe, while the lowest concentrations were estimated for northern and remote areas. The models accurately reproduced spatial patterns of annual mean BaP concentrations at rural sites, but performance declined in urban areas.

URLhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1001074226002664
DOI10.1016/j.jes.2026.04.005
Citation Key14273