The Impact of Heavy Industrial Activity on Air Quality in Barreiro, Portugal: A Comprehensive Study

Industrial emissions have a considerable impact on urban air quality, releasing a range of deleterious gases that contribute to environmental concerns and public health issues. In light of the aforementioned issues, this study aims to assess the impact of the closure of certain industries on air quality in the city of Barreiro, Portugal. The evolution of air quality in the city was examined over the period from 2000 to 2011. During this period, a number of heavy industries in the city were closed down. Consequently, an investigation was conducted to ascertain the impact of the gradual closure of industrial units in the city on the evolution of air quality. The analysis of the evolution of daily and monthly average concentrations of PM10 and SO2 in the city over the years, from January 2000 to December 2011, indicates a general improvement in air quality levels throughout this period. The results demonstrate that following the closure of certain industrial facilities, the mean concentrations of PM10 exhibited a decline of 33.30% and 26.50%, respectively, at the Escavadeira and Lavradio air quality (AQ) stations within the city. Similarly, the mean concentration of SO₂ decreased by 64.70% and 84.60%, respectively, in the same AQ stations. With regard to the maximum values (peaks) of PM10 concentrations, a decrease of 40.90% and 26.50% was observed in the analysed AQ stations, while SO2 maximum concentrations (peaks) decreased by 61.30% and 89.60% in the same AQ stations. This evaluation revealed a significant enhancement in air quality following the closure of numerous industrial facilities.