Seasonal variations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles loading over tropical urban environment

Abstract

The extent to which airborne particles penetrate into the human respiratory system is determined mainly by their size, with possible health effects. The research over the scientific evidence of airborne particles to adverse health effects has been intensified in recent years. In the present study particulate matter (PM), PM10 and PM2.5 have been analysed from Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) impactor for the period of January to December over the tropical urban environment, Hyderabad, India. The diurnal variation of PM, PM10 and PM2.5 shows a primary peak at 03:00 local time (LT) and then secondary peak at 10:00 LT followed by a nocturnal peak at 20:00 LT. Seasonal variations of PM, PM10 and PM2.5 suggest that the concentrations have been observed to be maximum during winter and minimum during monsoon. Average values of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations have been found to be ∼26 μgm − 3 and ∼18 μgm − 3 under ambient conditions over the study area. The results suggest that the PM10 concentrations were found to be well below the standards set by several environmental agencies whereas PM2.5 concentrations were found to be quite critical.