Abstract
We evaluated the spatiotemporal distributions of black carbon (BC) and particulate matters with aerodynamic diameters of less than 2.5 m (PM2.5) concentrations at urban diesel engine emission (DEE) hotspots of South Korea. Concentrations of BC and PM2.5 were measured at the entrance gate of two diesel bus terminals and a train station, in 2014. Measurements were conducted simultaneously at the hotspot (Site 1) and at its adjacent, randomly selected, residential areas, apartment complex near major roadways, located with the same direction of 300 m (Site 2) and 500 m (Site 3) away from Site 1 on 4 different days over the season, thrice per day; morning (n = 120 measurements for each day and site), evening (n = 120), and noon (n = 120). The median (interquartile range) PM2.5 ranged from 12.6 (11.3–14.3) to 60.1 (47.0–76.0) μg/m3 while those of BC concentrations ranged from 2.6 (1.9–3.7) to 6.3 (4.2–10.3) μg/m3. We observed a strong relationship of PM2.5 concentrations between sites (slopes 0.89–0.9, the coefficient of determination 0.89–0.96) while the relationship for BC concentrations between sites was relatively weak (slopes 0.76–0.85, the coefficient of determination 0.54–0.72). PM2.5 concentrations were changed from 4% to 140% by unit increase of BC concentration, depending on site and time while likely supporting the necessity of monitoring of BC as well as PM2.5, especially at urban DEE related hotspot areas.
Highlights
According to an assessment by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), outdoor air pollution, especially particulate matter, is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)
We evaluate the spatiotemporal distribution of black carbon (BC) and PM2.5 concentrations from urban Diesel engine emissions (DEE) hotspots and associate their concentrations with those of adjacent residential areas using data from portable, real-time pollution monitors
Because BC is a good indicator of DEE, it is not surprising that we found spatiotemporal differences in BC while at the same time, relatively highly consistent PM2.5 levels at our sampling sites
Summary
According to an assessment by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), outdoor air pollution, especially particulate matter, is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). IARC reported that countries can reduce the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as asthma by reducing air pollution levels [1]. Diesel engine emissions (DEE), known to be a source of carcinogens contained in outdoor air, is produced as a by-product of incomplete diesel fuel combustion [2]. In rural and urban areas of central Europe, the contribution of elementary carbon (EC), to PM2.5 was found to be 5% and 14%, respectively. Elemental carbon contributed up to 21% of the total PM2.5 concentrations [1]
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More From: International journal of environmental research and public health
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