The Effect of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) on Human Health and Cultural Heritage in the Historical City Centre of Konya

Abstract

The population, that has increased dramatically with industrial activities in the last century, causes air pollution in cities. Particulate matter, among the pollutants that affect air pollution, threatens public health and historical buildings by trapping hazardous elements and carrying them with the wind. Therefore, identifying areas where particulate matter is concentrated can be an important tool for the protection of human health and cultural heritage. To this end, the relationship between black crust formation on historical buildings and the presence of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), as well as its potential link to respiratory diseases in humans, was investigated in the historical city center of Konya, where air pollution levels have been considerably high over the past few decades. The study was conducted through both in-situ measurements (PM2.5 and PM10) and laboratory analyses, including SEM-EDX, XRF, and physical properties assessments. According to the findings of the study, it was determined that both the number of respiratory patients and the formation of black crust on monuments increased in regions where particulate matter was concentrated.