A new RI-URBANS study presents the first high-resolution air quality maps of Bucharest, using mobile sensors and mixed-effects land-use regression (LUR) modeling. The research focused on NO₂, PM₁₀, and ultrafine particles (UFP) during both warm and cold seasons. The study aimed to address spatial gaps left by Bucharest’s limited network of fixed monitoring stations.

Key findings:

•  Warm Season: Traffic emerged as the dominant source of PM₁₀ and NO₂, with higher pollutant gradients along principal roads, including the Bucharest ring road.
•  Cold Season: A more uniform distribution of PM₁₀ sources was observed, attributed largely to residential and power-plant heating, with elevated levels of fine particles citywide.
•  Environmental Sinks: Green and water areas were effective at reducing NO₂ and fine particle concentrations.

This approach supports more effective urban air quality policies and shows the potential for citizen-based monitoring to improve data coverage in hard-to-reach areas.

Read the full study led by Camelia Talianu here.