Abstract
This study monitored ultrafine particles (UFP) concurrent with environmental air quality data, investigating whether already existing instrumentation used by environmental authorities can provide reference values for estimating UFP concentrations. Of particular interest was the relation of UFP to PM10 (particulate matter) and nitrogen oxides (NOx, NO2) in ambient air. Existing PM measurement methods alone did not correspond exactly enough with the actual particle number, but we observed a link between NOx and NO2 to UFP concentration. The combined data could act as proxy-indicator for authorities in estimating particle number concentrations, but cannot replace UFP monitoring.
Highlights
In recent years, environmental authorities have been putting much effort into collecting air quality data with a focus on particulate matter (PM), especially in the size range of PM10 and PM2.5
Andersen et al [6] found that adverse health effects of particulate matter on cardiovascular disease- and respiratory disease-related hospital admissions in the elderly were mainly mediated by PM10 and accumulation mode particles
The primary objectives of this study were (i) to examine the particle number concentration and particle size distributions at the different locations, and (ii) reveal whether environmental data has significance for actual ultrafine particles (UFP) burden and could serve as proxy-indicators for data retrieved by the particle counting method
Summary
Environmental authorities have been putting much effort into collecting air quality data with a focus on particulate matter (PM), especially in the size range of PM10 and PM2.5. Most of the used PM monitoring equipment reveals only the mass of ultrafine particles (UFP), not taking into account the particular number concentration or size distribution. Particulate air pollution influences a range of symptoms in humans; asthma exacerbation, increased respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, increased medication use, and increased hospital admissions [3,4]. CO shows a better link to UFP, but not as closely as NOx and NO2.The traffic related exhaust pollutants NOx and NO2 unveiled a close link to the measured ultrafine particle number concentrations. NOx shows the strongest link with UFP at all measurement sites and times.
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