Abstract
The identification and characterization of particulate matter (PM) concentrations from construction site activities pose major challenges due to the diverse characteristics related to different aspects, such as concentration, particle size and particle composition. Moreover, the characterization of particulate matter is influenced by meteorological conditions, including temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind speed. This paper is part of a broader investigation that aims to develop a methodology for assessing the environmental impacts caused by the PM emissions that arise from construction activities. The objective of this paper is to identify and characterize the PM emissions on a construction site with different aerodynamic diameters (PM2.5, PM10, total suspended particulates (TSP)), based on an exploratory study. Initially, a protocol was developed to standardize the construction site selection criteria, laboratory procedures, field sample collection and laboratory analysis. This protocol was applied on a multifamily residential building construction site during three different construction phases (earthworks, superstructure and finishings) aimed at measuring and monitoring PM concentrations arising from construction activities. The particulate matter was characterized in different particle sizes. Results showed that the higher TSP emissions arising from construction activities provoked environmental impacts. Some limitations to the results were identified, especially with regards the need for a detailed investigation about the influence of different construction phases on PM emissions. The findings provided significant knowledge about various situations, serving as a basis for improving the existing methodology for particulate material collection on construction sites and the development of future studies on the specific construction site phases.
Highlights
Environmental protection is an important issue throughout the world
The objective of this paper is to identify and characterize the environmental impacts caused by particulate matter (PM) emanating from construction sites with different aerodynamic diameters (PM2.5, particles smaller than 10 μm (PM10), total suspended particulates (TSP)) based on an exploratory study
This work contributes with a methodology to evaluate the emission of particulate matter on construction jobsites from an environmental perspective, taking into consideration different construction phases, despite the limitation pointed out within the paper
Summary
Environmental protection is an important issue throughout the world. Building construction and operations have large direct and indirect effects on the environment [1,2]. The construction industry is still considered an important source of atmospheric pollution due to particulate matter emissions, causing negative impacts on human health and the environment. Most dust particles are too big to be inhaled, but can cause eye, nose and throat irritation and lead to deposition on cars, windows and property [7]. They include evidence of cardiovascular disease exacerbation as noted by multi-center studies assessing the association between ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease mortality [14]. Other recent studies are providing incomplete, but intriguing results suggesting that particle-induced pulmonary and systemic inflammation, accelerated atherosclerosis and altered cardiac autonomic function may be part of the pathophysiological pathways linking particulate air pollution with cardiovascular mortality [15]
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