Ambient concentrations and dosimetry of inhaled size-segregated particulate matter during periods of low urban mobility in Bragança, Portugal

Abstract

The restrictive measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic provided a timely scenario to investigate the effects of human activities on air quality, and the extent to which mobility reduction strategies can impact atmospheric pollutant levels. Real-time concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 were measured using a mobile platform in a small city of Portugal, during morning and afternoon rush hours, in two distinct phases of the pandemic: emergency phase (cold period, lockdown) and calamity phase (warm period, less restricted). The Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry Model (MPPD) was used to calculate the PM deposition for adults. Large spatio-temporal variabilities and pronounced changes in mean PM concentrations were observed, with lower concentrations in the calamity phase: PM1 = 2.33 ± 1.61 μg m−3; PM2.5 = 5.15 ± 2.77 μg m−3; PM10 = 23.30 ± 21.53 μg m−3 than in the emergency phase: PM1 = 16.85 ± 31.80 μg m−3; PM2.5 = 30.92 ± 31.93 μg m−3; PM10 = 111.27 ± 104.53 μg m−3. These changes are explained by a combination of meteorological factors and local emissions, mainly residential firewood burning. Regarding regional deposition, PM1 was the main contributor to deposition in the tracheobronchial (5%) and pulmonary (12%) regions, and PM10 in the head region (92%). In general, total deposition doses were higher for males than for females. This work quantitatively demonstrated that even with a 38% reduction in urban mobility during the lockdown, the use of firewood for residential heating is the main contributor to the high concentrations of PM and the respective inhaled dose.