Sampling and characterization of resuspended and respirable road dust

Beatrix Jancsek-Turóczi,András Hoffer,Ilona Nyírő-Kósa,András Gelencsér

doi:10.1016/j.jaerosci.2013.07.006

Beatrix Jancsek-Turóczi, András Hoffer + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2013.07.006

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Abstract

Urban air quality is severely affected by traffic related particulate matter, including direct emissions from exhaust, brake pad, tire wear and road dust resuspended by vehicular motions. Deposited road dust can also be resuspended by wind force or other anthropogenic activities, and overall it may contribute up to 30% to urban PM10. A mobile resuspended road dust PM10 sampler was developed and constructed which simulates the effects of traffic or gusting winds on road surfaces and collects resuspended PM1−10 samples in a cyclone separator and PM1 samples on filters. The sampler was tested by collecting resuspended road dust at kerbside locations in Veszprém, Hungary. The collected PM1 and PM1−10 fractions were analysed by various analytical methods to show the potential of size-selective on-line sample collection combined with the chemical characterization of resuspended road dust. The main constituents of the resuspended road dust were crustal elements, and it was also possible to determine the mineral phase composition of PM1−10 dust which is generally not feasible from samples collected on filter substrate. The application of the sampling and analysis methods may facilitate the evaluation of resuspended road dust sources in cities as well as help constrain a better source apportionment of urban PM10.

Highlights

Air pollution in cities is a very complex issue, showing strong seasonality and dependence on meteorological factors, sometimes culminating in severe and dangerous smog episodes which require intervention by local authorities
A source apportionment study based on elemental composition of particles using Al as a tracer for crustal matter estimated a total contribution of 10 % (m/m) in PM10 and 6 % in PM2.5 in Hong
The objective of this study is to develop and test a mobile sampler that simulates the effect of strong winds and heavy traffic and on-line collects the resuspended PM10 particles

Summary

Introduction

Air pollution in cities is a very complex issue, showing strong seasonality and dependence on meteorological factors, sometimes culminating in severe and dangerous smog episodes which require intervention by local authorities. The urban particulate matter with aerody identified as one of the most dangerous air pollutants on human health because its size range overlaps with the range of respirable particles. Prolonged exposure to respirable urban PM 10 has been associated with adverse health effects and linked to an increased risk of respiratory illnesses (Pope, 1996). Resuspension of road dust is an established source of urban particulate matter. Fugitive dust from paved and unpaved roads and bare grounds as well as construction and demolition works was shown to be important contributors to both. A source apportionment study based on elemental composition of particles using Al as a tracer for crustal matter estimated a total contribution of 10 % (m/m) in PM10 and 6 % in PM2.5 in Hong

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