Measuring air quality over large urban areas: development and application of an air pollution index at the urban area of Naples

A daily air pollution index (PI) has been developed and implemented at the urban area of Naples (Italy). Data gathered from nine monitoring stations during 2001–2002 have been analysed and a PI has been developed and applied. The index aims at measuring the status of air pollution with respect to its effect on human health. It can be seen as a modified version of air quality index of Environmental Protection Agency taking into consideration the limit values ruling in Europe. A procedure to evaluate the PI at each monitoring site and on the overall urban area is reported. Additive effects of air pollutants have also been considered and the PI re-evaluated.