Preliminary Analysis of Fine Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) Derived from Brick Manufacturing in San Agustín Yatareni, Oaxaca

Abstract

Air pollution is produced by a great diversity of emission sources, classified as mobile, stationary, area, and natural sources. Handmade brick manufacturing is an important activity for the economic development of several localities in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Despite the existence of other alternative construction materials, brick is the main option for the construction of housing designated as "low-income, middle-income, or high-income residential". The main objective of this work is to determine the respirable fractionated particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) derived from the manufacture of hand-made bricks in the area of San Agustin Yatareni, Oaxaca, Mexico. The samples were obtained during the period September 2022 to March 2023 in the brick-making area of San Agustin Yatereni, Oaxaca, Mexico. As part of the inclusion criteria, geological, climatological, atmospheric, and pollutant emission source differences, which influence the particle size distribution at each monitoring site, were taken into account; these samples were collected at 2-h time intervals. The dominant species during the selected period was tire-derived fuel (TDF).