@article{3196038,
    title = "Air quality and meteorological patterns of an early spring heatwave
event in an industrialized area of Attica, Greece",
    author = "Mavrakis, Anastasios and Kapsali, Athanasia and Tsiros, Ioannis X. and and Pantavou, Katerina",
    journal = "Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration",
    year = "2021",
    volume = "6",
    number = "1",
    publisher = "Springer Berlin Heidelberg",
    issn = "2365-6433, 2365-7448",
    doi = "10.1007/s41207-020-00237-0",
    keywords = "Heatwave; Air quality index; Thermal discomfort",
    abstract = "Heatwaves-excessively hot ambient conditions that are considered a
serious threat to human health-are often associated with poor air
quality. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of an early
heatwave episode in an industrialized plain in the eastern Mediterranean
region (Thriasio, Greece) on human thermal discomfort and urban air
quality. The heatwave occurred in mid (15-20) May 2020, shortly after
some of the restrictions that were improsed to halt the spread of
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Greece were lifted (on 4 May).
The discomfort index (DI) and the daily air quality index (DAQI) were
calculated on an hourly basis throughout spring 2020 (March, April, May)
using data from two stations that measure meteorological parameters and
air pollutant concentrations in the Thriasio Plain. The analysis showed
that the air temperature increased during 7-17 May to levels that were
more than 10 degrees C above the monthly average value (25.8 degrees C).
The maximum measured air temperature was 38 degrees C (on 17 May). The
results showed a high level of thermal discomfort. The DI exceeded the
threshold of 24 degrees C for several hours during 13-20 May. Increased
air pollution levels were also identified. The average DAQI was
estimated as 0.83 +/- 0.1 and 1.14 +/- 0.2 at two monitoring stations in
the region of interest during the heatwave. Particulate matter (diameter
< 10 mu m) appeared to contribute significantly to the poor air quality.
Significant correlations between the air temperature, DI, and AQSI were
also identified."
}