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The Poland-AOD aerosol research network was established in 2011 to improve aerosol–climate interaction knowledge and provide a real-time and historical, comprehensive, and quantitative database for the aerosol optical properties distribution over Poland. The network consists of research institutions and private owners operating 10 measurement stations and an organization responsible for aerosol model transport simulations. Poland-AOD collaboration provides observations of spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångstrom Exponent (AE), incoming shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiation fluxes, vertical profiles of aerosol optical properties and surface aerosol scattering and absorption coefficient, as well as microphysical particle properties. Based on the radiative transfer model (RTM), the aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) and the heating rate are simulated. In addition, results from GEM-AQ and WRF-Chem models (e.g., aerosol mass mixing ratio and optical properties for several particle chemical components), and HYSPLIT back-trajectories are used to interpret the results of observation and to describe the 3D aerosol optical properties distribution. Results of Poland-AOD research indicate progressive improvement of air quality and at mospheric turbidity during the last decade. The AOD was reduced by about 0.02/10 yr (at 550 nm), which corresponds to positive trends in ARF. The estimated clear-sky ARF trend is 0.34 W/m2/10 yr and 0.68 W/m2/10 yr, respectively, at TOA and at Earth’s surface. Therefore, reduction in aerosol load observed in Poland can significantly contribute to climate warming.

Abstract The article evaluates air pollution by particulate matter (PM) in indoor and outdoor air in one of the Polish health resorts, where children and adults with respiratory diseases are treated. The highest indoor PM concentrations were recorded during the winter season. Therefore, the maximum average daily concentration values in indoor air for the PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 fractions were 50, 42 and 23 µg/m3, respectively. In the case of outdoor air, the highest average daily concentrations of PM2.5 reached a value of 40 µg/m3. The analyses and backward trajectories of episodes of high PM concentrations showed the impact of supra-regional sources and the influx of pollutants from North Africa on the variability of PM concentrations. The correlation between selected meteorological parameters and PM concentrations shows the relationship between PM concentrations and wind speed. For example, the correlation coefficients between PM1(I) and PM1(O) concentrations and wind speed were − 0.8 and − 0.7 respectively. These factors determined episodes of high PM concentrations during winter periods in the outdoor air, which were then transferred to the indoor air. Elevated concentrations in indoor air during summer were also influenced by chimney/gravity ventilation and the appearance of reverse chimney effect.

One of the essential factors influencing the overall urban experience is the presence of biologically active surfaces. Despite widespread awareness of the beneficial effects of such spaces, the natural tissue in cities is still being significantly limited by the priority given to functionality and the economy. The aim of this article is to assess the potential of using a hybrid infrastructure in the grey–green–blue system (GGB) on a public site. In order to assess the efficiency of the implemented solutions, a multi-criteria method was developed, thereby recognising this research aspect as necessary in the process of designing urban built-up spaces. The assessment compared indicators of biological activity in the area using the biotope area factor and green space factor scales. The rainwater retention potential was estimated using a quantitative method. The change in the site’s thermal conditions was analysed by conducting numerous experiments with the use of micrometeorogical computational fluid dynamics models ENVI-met. The demonstrated improvement in the proportion of the biologically active area, water retention, and thermal conditions, ranging from a few to a dozen percent compared to the initial state, confirms the legitimacy of using grey–green–blue infrastructure systems as a method of shaping a sustainable and climate-responsive urban design.

Abstract This study presents the results of successive calibrations of sensors for meteorological applications consecutively exposed to particular environmental conditions. The determined sensor characteristics and measurement uncertainties were used to analyze how the environmental factors and the ageing of the sensor (impact of the time) results in the variation of characteristics in terms of the sensors’ stability and the reproducibility of the calibration curves obtained. The study consists of the regular calibrations of two temperature sensors: HMP 155 and Vaisala's HMP 45AC, after having been exposed to thermal shocks and exposure to extreme ranges of humidity. The selected measuring devices represent sensors commonly used in Stevenson Screens, compact solar shields and other meteorological applications. The investigation verifies the following impacts on characteristics’ change and reproducibility: time, high humidity, high and low temperatures, and rapid temperature changes (10 series) from −30 to −10°C typical for anticyclonal conditions. The result of the measurements is presented and discussed. The analysis is completed by fully understanding, evaluating and reporting uncertainties in the results.

Emissions from the household sector are the most significant source of air pollution in Poland, one of the most polluted countries in the EU. Estimated health impacts of the reduction of these emissions under three scenarios are presented. The EMEP4PL model and base year emission inventory were used to estimate average annual PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations with spatial resolution of 4 km × 4 km. The change in emissions under each of the scenarios was based on data from a survey on household boilers and insulation. Scenario 1 included replacement of all poor-quality coal-fired boilers with gas boilers; Scenario 2 included replacement of all poor-quality coal-fired boilers with low-emission boilers but still using solid fuels; and Scenario 3 included the thermal refurbishment of houses with the worst insulation. Impacts on the following health parameters were estimated: premature deaths (PD), Chronic Bronchitis (CB), Bronchitis in Children (BiC) and Work Days Lost (WDL). The concentration–response functions recommended by the WHO HRAPIE project were used. The analysis was conducted for two regions: Lower Silesia and Lodzkie province. The largest reduction of health impact was observed for Scenario 1. For Lower Silesia, the annual PD decreased by 1122 (34.3%), CB by 1516 (26.6%), BiC by 9602 (27.7%) and WDL by 481k (34.7%). For Lodzkie province, the largest impacts were estimated as decreases in PD by 1438 (29.9%), CB by 1502 (25.3%), BiC by 9880 (26.8%) and WDL by 669k (30.4%).