Characterizing spatiotemporal patterns of elevated PM2.5 exposures in a megacity of China using combined mobile and stationary measurements

Abstract

Exposure to PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 μm) is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. Measurements from sparsely situated air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) may be inappropriate to represent real PM2.5 exposures, particularly in traffic-related environments. In this study, efforts were made to characterize spatiotemporal variation of PM2.5 pollution over Shenzhen, China from July 2019 to June 2020 using combined mobile (on-road PM2.5) and stationary (AQMS PM2.5) measurements. Monthly-average concentrations of on-road PM2.5 ranged from 10.4 ± 6.1 to 47.3 ± 23.9 μg/m3, and showed consistent trend with AQMS PM2.5 concentrations which ranged from 8.3 ± 3.1 to 37.2 ± 12.9 μg/m3. On-road PM2.5 and AQMS PM2.5 concentrations dropped by 54.6% and 30.2% in February 2020, probably due to the low anthropogenic emissions during the period of Spring Festival and COVID-19 lockdown. Weekend effect on both on-road and AQMS PM2.5 concentrations was not noticeable. Relative high on-road PM2.5 concentrations were observed during morning and evening rush hours. An “elevated concentration” concept was applied to estimate the influence of emissions on PM2.5 exposure. Elevated concentration showed strong diurnal and spatial variation, and was about 5.0 μg/m3 on-average. Mappings of on-road PM2.5 and elevated concentrations confirmed the heterogeneity of spatial distribution of PM2.5 exposures in Shenzhen where PM2.5 pollution was more severe in western and northern areas. Our results highlight the elevated PM2.5 exposures in traffic-related environments, and the inequity in urban exposure levels and health.