Atmospheric Microplastic Particulate Matter in an Urban Roadside: Case of Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia

The total suspended particulate (TSP) levels in Beer-Sheva, situated in a semi-arid area with winds bringing in dust from the surrounding deserts, was measured 41 times between June 1977 and May 1978. The TSP levels are correlated with climatic conditions. High TSP levels (890 ± 250 μg m -3 were found during Sharav conditions and sandstorms (hot, dry weather, typical to this region). Low TSP levels ( 59 ± 28 μg m -3 )re found in the winter following rain. Usual TSP levels were found to be 140 ± 20 μg m -3 occurring during normal weather conditions. The elemental composition of the Beer-Sheva aerosols were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INNA) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The concentrations of the following elements Fe, Na, Br, I(, Sm, Au, Sb, Ga, La, Yb, Lu, Se, Hg, Cr, Sc, Rb, Co, Ta and Zn were determined by INNA and Ca, Si, S, Ti, CI, Pb, Fe, V, Ni and Mn by XRF. Their relative abundances were found to depend on the prevailing TSP level. The different patterns of elemental distribution as a function of TSP indicate the manifold origins of the TSP. A very high correlation coefficient between elemental concentrations of the following elements Ca, Si, Fe, V, Ti, Mn, Na, Ni, Co, La, K, Sc, Sm and TSP levels (> 0.94) suggest that they originate from natural sources. The very low correlation coefficients < 0.1 between the elemental concentrations of Br, Sb and Hg suggest strongly that the elements come primarily from local industry. The sources of other elements with correlation coefficients of the order of 0.5 (CI, S) are not clear-cut. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.1983.tb00007.x

The transportation sector plays a major role in air pollution in urban areas. Operators of Public Fuel Filling Stations are at risk of inhaling pollutants from motor vehicle emissions such as CO, NO, SO2 and dust particulates. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship of Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) to the occurrence of impaired lung function at SPBU operators. This type of research is observational with a cross sectional study design with sampling technique using total sampling on the entire population, which is performing lung function examinations on 34 operators at three gas stations in Mamuju Regency. Examination of lung function used spirometry while the measurement of total dust concentration used a High Volume Air Sampler (HVAS). Data analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between TSP levels and impaired pulmonary function. Even though TSP exposure levels did not have a significant relationship with lung pulmonary function, efforts to control dust exposure were still necessary because most respondents worked in a working environment with high TSP levels. The results of this study are expected to be a reference for the implementation of health and safety programs for workers and the implementation of working environment monitoring and occupational health surveillance.

Tehran is densely populated possessing unhealthy and polluted air. There are 22 municipality districts in Tehran, and considerable numbers of industries are located within each district. Due to adverse environmental and health effects of trace elements in urban air, this study has been carried out to measure and compare concentration of trace elements including Ag, As, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Mn, Hf, La, Sb, Sc, Sm, Th, and Zn in industrial (district 21) and residential (district 22) areas. For this purpose, total suspended particles were collected in two different time intervals in the year 2008. As a result, maximum and minimum concentrations in residential area associated with Mn (2.9μg/m(3)) and Hf (2.92 × 10(-4)μg/m(3)), respectively. Also, in industrial sites, these concentrations are higher for Mn (4.79 × 10(-1)μg/m(3)) and Hf (6.65 × 10(-4)μg/m(3)). The concentrations of Mn (2.07μg/m(3)) and Hf (7.46 × 10(-4)μg/m(3)) in traffic zone are close to residential values. General, concentrations of Ce, Co, Cs, La, Sc, Sm, Th, Br, and Hf in industrial area were higher than in residential area. The source of these elements in Tehran's air is mainly anthropogenic. According to the achieved results, the concentration levels of As, Cr, and Zn were close together in both residential and industrial zones. Therefore, these elements could have been originated from natural sources. Also, results show that levels of Ag, Mn, Sb, and Cu in residential area were higher than in industrial area. Finally, obtained data indicated that the trends of average concentration of trace elements in industrial area (from low to high) follow as Hf<Cs<Sm<Th<La<Ce<Sc<Co<Ag<As<Sb<Cr<Br<Zn<Cu<Mn and, in residential area, are in order of Hf<Cs<La<Th<Ce<Sc<Sm<Co<As<Ag<Br<Sb<Cr<Zn<Cu<Mn.

BackgroundWe report on a novel approach to the analysis of suspended particulate data in a rural setting in southern Ontario. Analyses of suspended particulate matter and associated air quality standards have conventionally focussed on 24-hour mean levels of total suspended particulates (TSP) and particulate matter <10 microns, <2.5 microns and <1 micron in diameter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1, respectively). Less emphasis has been placed on brief peaks in suspended particulate levels, which may pose a substantial nuisance, irritant, or health hazard. These events may also represent a common cause of public complaint and concern regarding air quality.MethodsMeasurements of TSP, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 levels were taken using an automated device following local complaints of dusty conditions in rural south-central Ontario, Canada. The data consisted of 126,051 by-minute TSP, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 measurements between May and August 2012. Two analyses were performed and compared. First, conventional descriptive statistics were computed by month for TSP, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, including mean values and percentiles (70th, 90th, and 95th). Second, a novel graphical analysis method, using density curves and line plots, was conducted to examine peak events occurring at or above the 99th percentile of per-minute TSP readings. We refer to this method as “peak event analysis”. Findings of the novel method were compared with findings from the conventional approach.ResultsConventional analyses revealed that mean levels of all categories of suspended particulates and suspended particulate diameter ratios conformed to existing air quality standards. Our novel methodology revealed extreme outlier events above the 99th percentile of readings, with peak PM10 and TSP levels over 20 and 100 times higher than the respective mean values. Peak event analysis revealed and described rare and extreme peak dust events that would not have been detected using conventional descriptive statistics.ConclusionsPeak event analysis underscored extreme particulate events that may contribute to local complaints regarding intermittently dusty conditions. These outlier events may not appear through conventional analytical approaches. In comparison with conventional descriptive approaches, peak event analysis provided a more analytical and data-driven means to identify suspended particulate events with meaningful and perceptible effects on local residents.

Background, aim, and scope Ten years of public health interventions on industrial emissions to clean air were monitored for the Mediterranean city of Cartagena. During the 1960s, a number of large chemical and non-ferrous metallurgical factories were established that significantly deteriorated the city’s air quality. By the 1970s, the average annual air concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO2) ranged from 200 to 300 µg/m3 (standard conditions units). In 1979, the Spanish government implemented an industrial intervention plan to improve the performance of factories and industrial air pollution surveillance. Unplanned urban development led to residential housing being located adjacent to three major factories. Factory A produced lead, factory B processed zinc from ore concentrates, and factory C produced sulfuric acid and phosphates. This, in combination with the particular abrupt topography and frequent atmospheric thermal inversions, resulted in the worsening of air quality and heightening concern for public health. In 1990, the City Council authorized the immediate intervention at these factories to reduce or shut down production if ambient levels of SO2 or total suspended particles (TSP) exceeded a time-emission threshold in pre-established meteorological contexts. The aim of this research was to assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of the intervention plan implemented from 1992 to 2001 to abate industrial air pollution.

Concentrations and elemental composition of particulate matter in the Buenos Aires underground system

Assessment and management of air quality for an opencast coal mining area

The objective of the study is to investigate seasonal and spatial variations of PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microm) and TSP (total suspended particulate matter) of an Indian Metropolis with high pollution and population density from November 2003 to November 2004. Ambient concentration measurements of PM10 and TSP were carried out at two monitoring sites of an urban region of Kolkata. Monitoring sites have been selected based on the dominant activities of the area. Meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, temperature and relative humidity were also collected simultaneously during the sampling period from Indian Meteorological Department, Kolkata. The 24 h average concentrations of PM10 and TSP were found in the range 68.2-280.6 microg/m3 and 139.3-580.3 microg/m3 for residential (Kasba) area, while 62.4-401.2 microg/m3 and 125.7-732.1 microg/m3 for industrial (Cossipore) area, respectively. Winter concentrations of particulate pollutants were higher than other seasons, irrespective of the monitoring sites. It indicates a longer residence time of particulates in the atmosphere during winter due to low winds and low mixing height. Spread of air pollution sources and non-uniform mixing conditions in an urban area often result in spatial variation of pollutant concentrations. The higher particulate pollution at industrial area may be attributed due to resuspension of road dust, soil dust, automobile traffic and nearby industrial emissions. Particle size analysis result shows that PM10 is about 52% of TSP at residential area and 54% at industrial area.

The acute effects of air pollution on preterm delivery were examined in a prospective cohort in Beijing, China. From early pregnancy until delivery in 1988, we followed all registered pregnant women who lived in four residential areas of Beijing. Information for both mothers and infants was collected. Daily air pollution and meteorological data were obtained independently. The sample for analysis included 25,370 resident women who gave first live births in 1988. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to estimate the effects of air pollution on gestational age and preterm delivery (i.e., < 37 wk), with adjustment for outdoor temperature and humidity, day of the week, season, maternal age, gender of child, and residential area. Very high concentrations of ambient sulfur dioxide (mean = 102 micrograms/m3, maximum = 630 micrograms/m3) and total suspended particulates (mean = 375 micrograms/m3, maximum = 1 0003 micrograms/m3) were observed in these areas. There was a significant dose-dependent association between gestational age and sulfur dioxide and total suspended particulate concentrations. The estimated reduced duration of gestation was .075 wk (12.6h) and .042 wk (7.1 h) for each 100-micrograms/m3 increase in sulfur dioxide and total suspended particulates 7-d lagged moving average, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for preterm delivery was 1.21 (95% CI = 1.01-1.46) for each in micrograms/m3 increase in sulfur dioxide, and was 1.10 (95% CI = 1.01-1.20) for each 100-micrograms/m3 increase in total suspended particulates. In addition, the gestational age distribution of high-pollution days was more skewed toward the left tail (i.e., very preterm and preterm), compared with low-pollution days. We concluded that high levels of total suspended particulates and sulfur dioxide, or of a more complex pollution mixture associated with these pollutants, appear to contribute to excess risk of preterm delivery in this population. Further work need to be carried out, with more detailed information on personal exposure and effect modifiers.

Impact of the Saharan dust outbreaks on the ambient levels of total suspended particles (TSP) in the marine boundary layer (MBL) of the Subtropical Eastern North Atlantic Ocean

Istanbul has faced serious air pollution problems since the mid-80s. This is mainly due to particulate air pollution coming from poor quality lignite in areas, which are heavily populated and industrialized. As a consequence of severe air pollution problems, stringent control on the emissions in the city started in the year of 1994. In this work, in order to study the relationship between emissions and meteorological conditions, an assessment of air pollution episodes and air pollution potential in the city is presented for the terms at the changed emission schedule as the influence of an emission reduction strategy. The influence of meteorological conditions on the TSP (total suspended particulates) levels is considered for two consecutive winter periods. On this occasion, the city has faced different TSP levels and episode characteristics depending on stringent emission reductions covering the banned, poor-quality lignite and fuel switching. For this purpose, climatological conditions and air quality analyses were performed.

The levels of total suspended particulates (TSP) within the complex of a steel factory (Fletcher Pacific Steel Fiji) have been investigated through high volume air sampling. The levels of TSP inside and outside (in the ambient environment) the factory has been found to be in the range of 121-339 and 33-80 μg m-3 respectively. The levels inside the factory exceed the WHO guideline by a factor of 2-4. The management of the factory was very proactive to determine the air quality for records and to safeguard the health and safety of all the employees, contractors, and visitors. At the request of the factory, the exposed filters were analysed by neutron activation and gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques and the results are presented.

Spatial and temporal distribution of organophosphate esters in the atmosphere of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

Background.Cement plants generate particulate matter (PM) across processes from raw material preparation to packaging. The presence of total suspended particulates (TSP) coming out of the stack causes a high accumulation of dust in residential areas. Human exposure to TSP could affect human health and wellbeing.Objectives.The present study aims to evaluate concentrations of TSP and to estimate the health risks of TSP exposure through the inhalation pathway in communities surrounding a private cement industry in Maros regency, Indonesia.Methods.Total suspended particulates were collected using a high-volume air sampler (HVAS) at five locations. Samples were taken by grab sampling for 24 hours. The SCREEN3 program was used to view the maximum range and distribution of pollutants based on the geographical, stack profiles and meteorological factors in the study area. Hazard quotient (HQ) was used to estimate non-carcinogenic risks of TSP in surrounding communities.Results.Total suspended particulate concentrations were measured with a maximum value of 133.24 μg/m3 and a minimum value of 18.48 μg/m3. This maximum value exceeds the minimum acceptable level from Canadian National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (C-NAAQOs). The non-carcinogenic risks from the inhalation pathway were low except for location 3 (HQ>1) across all locations.Conclusions.The cement plant may significantly contribute to total TSP concentrations in air and may potentially have adverse effects on human health. Communities near the cement plant are vulnerable to TSP exposure and measures are needed to reduce TSP in Maros regency, Indonesia.Participant Consent.ObtainedEthics Approval.This study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of Hasanuddin University with protocol number 28920093022.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

As the initial study related to carbonaceous components in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, total suspended particulate matter (TSP) was collected in the roadside environments in Makassar city, Indonesia. The mean TSP level in this study was higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of Indonesia and much higher than World Health Organization (WHO) standards. It ranged from 21.6 to 838.6 μg/m3. The lowest concentration was found during the rainy days in paved site. The highest TSP level in all sites was found in the rush morning and late noon hour. It is related to the movement of the citizens during those periods of time. Regardless of the sites and times of sampling, organic carbon (OC) is the main fraction of total carbon (TC) for around 62.2 – 84.0%. OC and EC had well correlation indicating both carbonaceous components were emitted from the common sources. It might be emitted from the traffic emission as seen from the greater correlation between TSP and soot-EC than between TSP vs. char-EC. Hence, exhaust emissions from traffic and non-exhaust emission during the movement of vehicles should be the two main sources of TSP and its carbon components in the roadside environment of Makassar city, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia.