Abstract
The main objective of this research was the determination of the geochemical and mineralogical properties of particulate matter: TSP (total suspended particles) and, especially PM1 (particles with aerodynamic diameter not greater than 1 µm) suspended in the air of a selected urban area in southern Poland. Identification of the emission sources of metals and metalloids bound in TSP and PM1 as well as the assessment of potential risk of urban ambient air to human health using hazard indices was an additional aim of this investigation. The daily TSP and PM1 quartz fiber filters collected during heating season were subjected to mass magnetic susceptibility (χ) measurements, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) observations and geochemical analyses. Obtained results revealed that the concentration of TSP and PM1 well correlated with their mass-specific magnetic susceptibility. The good relationship between the PM concentration and χ suggests that magnetic susceptibility measurements can be a good proxy of low-level atmospheric dust pollution. The rank order of potentially toxic elements (PTE) based on average concentration was Ba > Zn > Al > Fe > Pb > Mn > Ti > Cu > Cr > Ni >As > Cd > V > Tl, both for TSP and PM1. PM1/TSP ratios for PTE concentrations and χ were around or slightly above unity, which indicated that PM1 was the main carrier of PTE (with the exception of cadmium, copper and lead) and technogenic magnetic particles. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were confirmed by very high values of human health indices.
Highlights
Human activities contribute to the air pollution, especially in industrial and urban areas
The TSP concentration averaged at 45.58 μg/m3 with a wide range of 4.67–150.60 μg/m3, while PM1 mean concentration was 29.88 μg/m3 with a range of 4.03–118.87 μg/m3 (Figure 2)
This remarkable increase in concentration of both particulate matter (PM) fractions can be explained by the air temperature in the range of 7–18 ◦ C
Summary
Human activities contribute to the air pollution, especially in industrial and urban areas. Airborne particulate matter (PM), consisting of a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, varies in terms of physical properties (shape, dimension, density) and chemical composition [1,2,3]. Minerals 2020, 10, 866 structure of particulate matter emission into the air [4], involving a significant reduction in coarse particles (emitted mainly from industrial sources) and an increase in ultrafine particles (combustion by car engines) allow us to conclude that the actual environmental pollution by metals is primarily caused by the smallest particles. The finer particles the deeper penetration into the human tissues the stronger and more dangerous health impact [5], since they penetrate deep into the lungs and deposit on the respiratory tract at an increasing rate [6]. In nasal-breathing, coarse PM 10 fraction settles quickly and tends to lodge in the trachea (upper throat) or in the bronchi causing sneezing and coughing [7]
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