Air Quality and Human Health: The Impact of Port-Related Air Pollution on Residents and Workers in European Port Areas—A Case Study of the Port of Gdynia

Port areas are important sources of atmospheric pollution due to their involvement in shipping, cargo handling, road transport and industrial activities. Exposure to particulate matter (PM) and associated contaminants may adversely affect the health of port workers and nearby residents. This study assessed PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ concentrations and their chemical composition in the Port of Gdynia.

Atmospheric aerosol samples were collected during the SEA-EU research campaign (May–July 2022) in five European ports: Gdynia, Gdańsk, Kiel, Brest and Cádiz. PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ were sampled on quartz fibre filters using low-volume samplers. Aerosol mass concentrations were determined gravimetrically, while organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed using thermo-optical analysis, ICP-MS and HPLC, respectively.

Among all of the investigated ports, the Port of Gdynia exhibited the highest average PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ concentrations, reaching 14.2 and 71.4 µg m⁻³, respectively. The maximum PM₁₀ concentrations ranged from 114.7 to 145.4 µg m⁻³, exceeding both the World Health Organization (WHO) 24-hour guideline value (45 µg m⁻³) and the European Union daily limit value (50 µg m⁻³). The maximum PM₂.₅ concentrations reached 19.7 µg m⁻³, exceeding the WHO 24-hour guideline value of 15 µg m⁻³.

The highest PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ concentrations were observed during the vessel's stay in the Port of Gdynia, both before departure and after its return from the research cruise. These periods coincided with intensive technical activities conducted onboard the vessel, including painting, cleaning, maintenance and surface preparation works. Elevated concentrations of OC, EC, trace metals and PAHs were also recorded.

These findings indicate that ship maintenance operations may represent an important and often overlooked source of airborne contaminants in port environments, increasing the exposure of both port workers and nearby residents to pollutants associated with adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health effects.