Studies on particulate matter (PM 10) and its precursors over urban environment of Reading, UK

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 the role of airborne particles in adverse health effects has been intensified in recent years. In the present study, seasonal variations of PM 10 and its relation with anthropogenic activities have been studied by using the data from UK National Air Quality Archive over Reading, UK. The diurnal variation of PM 10 shows a morning peak during 7:00–10:00 LT and an evening peak during 19:00–22:00 LT. The variation between 12:00 and 17:00 LT remains more or less steady for PM 10 with the minimum value of ∼16 μg m −3. PM 10 and black smoke (BS) concentrations during weekdays were found to be high compared to weekends. A reduction in the concentration of PM 10 has been found during the Christmas holidays compared to normal days during December. Seasonal variations of PM 10 showed high values during spring compared to other seasons. A linear relationship has been found between PM 10 and NO x during March, July, November and December suggesting that most of the PM 10 is due to local traffic exhaust emissions. PM 10 and SO 2 concentrations showed positive correlation with the correlation coefficient of R 2 = 0.6 5 over the study area. Seasonal variations of SO 2 and NO x showed high concentrations during winter and low concentrations during spring. Fraction of BS in PM 10 has been found to be 50% during 2004 over the study area.