Application of k0-INAA Method in Preliminary Characterization of KRISS Urban Airborne Particulate Matter Certified Reference Material

Hana Cho,Myung Chul Lim,Radojko Jaćimović,Kishore B Dasari,Gwang Min Sun,Yong-Hyeon Yim

doi:10.3390/app10196649

Abstract

We report comprehensive elemental composition studies on the average urban airborne particulate matters (PMs) collected in the Greater Seoul area, Korea, in 2019 to identify regional and chronological characteristics of the sample as a candidate for certified reference material (CRM), using k0-based single comparator instrumental neutron activation analysis (k0-INAA). The method was successfully validated by comparing the analysis result of a similar matrix CRM (SRM 1648a urban particulate matter) of National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA, with corresponding certified values. The same methodology was applied to determine various elements in candidate environmental materials for future CRM development, including the urban PMs and incineration ashes, to investigate the possibility of using k0-INAA for certification of relevant reference materials. In total, 46 elements in the urban PM sample were analyzed and their concentration levels were compared with the urban PMs collected in the 1970s in St. Louis, USA. Urban PMs of Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science in 2019 contain significantly lower levels of hazardous elements, such as As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb, as compared to those of the 1970s, which can be attributed to the reduced air pollution by environmental regulation and technological innovation. The potential major source of urban airborne PMs was also discussed.

Highlights

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the major air pollutants that poses a threat to human health when harmful substances are present in the particulate matters (PMs) and total mass are increased [1,2,3].As the frequency and intensity of air pollution caused by PM increase in many parts of the world, including South Korea [4,5], internationally coordinated urgent action is needed to reduce the airborne particulate pollution level
Several countries, such as the United States and Japan, as well as those belonging to the European Union (EU), are pursuing research on measurement standards for the control and regulation of airborne particulate levels based on accurate measurements [6,7,8]
In the case of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) urban dust certified reference material (CRM) candidate, the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of mass fractions between subsamples, which represent the homogeneity of the sample, were less than 10% for all elements, except for six elements, including Ag, Au, Cd, Hg, I, and Sn

Summary

Introduction

As the frequency and intensity of air pollution caused by PM increase in many parts of the world, including South Korea [4,5], internationally coordinated urgent action is needed to reduce the airborne particulate pollution level. Several countries, such as the United States and Japan, as well as those belonging to the European Union (EU), are pursuing research on measurement standards for the control and regulation of airborne particulate levels based on accurate measurements [6,7,8].

Methods

Results

Conclusion