Air Particulate Samples Research Articles

A comparative study of two factor analytic models applied to PAH data from inhalable air particulate collected in an urban-industrial environment

Two factor analysis (FA)-based receptor modeling methods were applied to a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) dataset from extracts of 75 PM(10) air particulate samples collected concurrently at 4 sampling sites proximate to the urban-industrial area in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The total PAH concentrations of 48 target compounds ranged from 0.23 to 172 ng m(-3). Principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis were followed by multilinear regression analyses to identify and quantify PAH source contributions, together with spatial and temporal trends. The correlations between predicted and observed total PAH levels were excellent in both models (R(2) > 0.98). The PCA afforded large negative contributions in a number of samples, so further analysis was abandoned. The PMF analysis showed 3 factors which were identified as gasoline emissions, diesel emissions and coke oven emissions. Contributions of gasoline emissions and diesel emissions factors were surprisingly similar at all 4 sites indicative of a background of vehicle emissions across the city. The PMF coke oven emission factor showed the greatest variability in total loadings, consistent with the large PAH emissions from the steel industries and the large influence of wind direction on PAH concentrations. The highest coke oven contributions were observed at sites closest to the industrial area on days when these sites were downwind of the industries. The PMF coke oven impact factor showed good correlations with two commonly used PAH diagnostic ratios when the ratios were combined into a single ratio. This integrated approach allowed us to categorize >90% of the samples based on the wind direction of the impacting source.

Seasonal variation in chemical composition of size-segregated urban air particles and the inflammatory activity in the mouse lung

We investigated the seasonal variations in the chemical composition and in vivo inflammatory activity of urban air particulate samples in four size ranges (PM10–2.5, PM2.5–1, PM1–0.2, and PM0.2). The samples were collected in Helsinki using a high-volume cascade impactor (HVCI). Healthy C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally instilled with a single dose (10 mg/kg) of the particulate samples. The lungs were lavaged and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assayed for indicators of inflammation and tissue damage: cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and keratinocyte-derived chemokine [KC]) at 4 h, and total cell number and total protein concentration at 12 h. The PM10–2.5 and PM2.5–1 samples had much higher inflammatory potency than the PM1–0.2 and PM0.2 samples. The relative inflammatory activities of the autumn samples were the highest on an equal mass basis, but when estimated for the particulate mass per cubic meter of air, the springtime samples had the highest inflammatory potential. Resuspended soil material and other non-exhaust particulate material from traffic were associated with a high inflammatory activity of the PM10–2.5 and PM2.5–1 samples. Secondary inorganic ions in the PM1–0.2 and PM0.2 samples had inconsistent negative or positive correlations with the inflammatory activity. There were no systematic seasonal variations in the tracers of incomplete combustion and atmospherically oxidized organics in the PM1–0.2 and PM0.2 samples, which probably explains their low correlations with the inflammatory activity. In conclusion, in a relatively clean Nordic city, the resuspension of road dust and other non-exhaust particulate material from traffic were the major sources of inflammatory activity of urban air inhalable particles.

Results of a Self-Absorption Study on the Versapor 3000 47-mm Filters for Radioactive Particulate Air Stack Sampling

Since the mid-1980's the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has used a value of 0.85 as a correction factor for the self absorption of activity for particulate radioactive air samples collected from building exhaust for environmental monitoring. More recently, an effort was made to evaluate the current particulate radioactive air sample filters (Versapor 3000, 47-mm diameter) used at PNNL for self absorption effects. There were two methods used to characterize the samples. Sixty samples were selected from the archive for acid digestion to compare the radioactivity measured by direct gas-flow proportional counting of filters to the results obtained after acid digestion of the filter and counting again by gas-flow proportional detection. Thirty different sample filters were selected for visible light microscopy to evaluate filter loading and particulate characteristics. Mass-loading effects were also considered. Large error is associated with the sample filter analysis comparison and subsequently with the estimation of the absorption factor resulting in an inadequate method to estimate losses from self-absorption in the sample filter. The mass loading on the sample filter as determined after digestion and drying was approximately 0.08 mg cm; however, this value may not represent the total filter mass loading given that there may be undetermined losses associated with the digestion process. While it is difficult to determine how much material is imbedded in the filter, observations from the microscopy analysis indicate that the vast majority of the particles remain on the top of the filter. In comparing the results obtained, the continued use of 0.85 as a conservative correction factor is recommended.

Associations of urban air particulate composition with inflammatory and cytotoxic responses in RAW 246.7 cell line

Epidemiological studies show heterogeneities in the particulate pollution-related exposure–effect relationships among cardiorespiratory patients, but the connection to chemical composition and toxic properties of the inhaled particles is largely unknown. To identify the chemical constituents and sources responsible for the diverse inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of urban air, fine (PM2.5–0.2) and coarse (PM10–2.5) particulate samples were collected during contrasting air pollution situations. We exposed mouse RAW 246.7 macrophages for 24 hrs to PM2.5–0.2 and PM10–2.5 samples from six European cities. The concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFα), chemokine (MIP-2), and nitric oxide were measured from the cell culture medium, and the cytotoxicity was assayed. Spearman’s correlations between the chemical constituents and cellular responses were analyzed. In the PM2.5–0.2 size range, the tracers of photo-oxidation of organics in the atmosphere (oxalate, succinate, malonate), some transition metals (Ni, V, Fe, Cu, Cr), and insoluble soil constituents (Ca, Al, Fe, Si) correlated positively with the response parameters. In contrast, the tracers of incomplete biomass (monosaccharide anhydrides) and coal (As) combustion, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), had negative correlations with the inflammatory activity. The compositions of PM10–2.5 samples were more uniform and there were only occasional high correlations between the chemical constituents, endotoxin, and the response parameters. The present results suggest that the local sources of incomplete combustion and resuspended road dust are important producers of harmful fine particulate constituents that may, however, operate via diverse toxicity mechanisms. The results agree well with our recent findings in the mouse lung.

Local and regional sources as given by aerosol measurements and biomonitoring at Sado estuary area, Portugal

Gent air samplers were used for air particulate matter sampling in Sado estuary area, separating fine and coarse fractions. Three sampling sites were chosen (Palmela, Faralhao and Troia), inside a 15 km × 25 km area at Setuba region, 50 km south of Lisbon, Portugal. Transplants of Parmelia sulcata Taylor were suspended in nylon bags within the same area following a 2.5 km × 2.5 km grid, during the same period as the aerosol collection. Both lichen transplants and filters were analysed by k 0-INAA. This work compares MCTTFA results given by the two air pollution monitoring procedures. The main differences concern a physiological factor in biomonitors and a better definition of traffic and re-suspension by aerosols

Crustal fraction of cattle feedlot particulate matter emissions using neutron activation analysis: method development

Neutron activation analysis (NAA), along with multivariate statistical methods, were employed as a proposed method to measure concentrations of some 30 elements in filtered air particulates and to estimate the fraction of particulate matter originating from crustal sources. The new method may provide a means for certain agricultural industries, in particular cattle feedlots, to take advantage of the proposed crustal credit in emission regulations, if such a credit is implemented by the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Chemical composition of particulate source materials as well as environmental air particulate samples were determined and results compared using computer modelling techniques to determine contribution from each potential source.

Comparison of the Salmonella/microsome microsuspension assay with the new microplate fluctuation protocol for testing the mutagenicity of environmental samples

The objective of this study was to compare the responses of the Salmonella/microsome microsuspension assay with the new microplate fluctuation protocol (MPF) for the evaluation of the mutagenic activity of environmental samples. Organic extracts of total particulate atmospheric air samples, surface waters, and effluents were tested in dose-response experiments. The assays were performed with strain TA98 in the absence and presence of S9 mix. Both protocols produced similar results, despite the fact that the maximum score of the MPF is limited to 48 wells, whereas in the regular plate assay it is possible to count up to 1,500 colonies using an automatic counter. Similar sensitivities based on the lowest dose that resulted in a positive response were obtained for both assays. The MPF procedure is less laborious (e.g., all-liquid format, use of multichannel pipettors) and allows for automation of the pipetting and dispensing steps, thus, reducing time of the analysis which is particularly important in environmental quality monitoring programs or in effect-directed analysis. The results show that the MPF procedure is a promising tool to test environmental samples for mutagenic activity.

Climatic variations of beryllium-7 activity in the atmosphere of Peshawar basin, Pakistan, during 2001-2006

In the present study, the climatic variations of 7Be in the Peshawar basin (longitude 71?15' and 72?45' E and latitude 33?45' and 34?30' N) of Pakistan was observed during the period of 2001-2006. Under the domain of environmental surveillance programme, air particulate samples were collected from Peshawar basin on fiberglass filters and analyzed for gamma emitting radionuclides using the gamma spectrometry system. The results of the last six years (2001-2006) range between 3.6 to 5 mBq/m3, while the composite average concentration of this radionuclide for the whole period is 4.5 mBq/m3. The measured values were significantly lower than the world average value of 12.5 mBq/m3. The climatic variations in the concentrations of 7Be were also checked by classifying the whole year into four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall) and a positive correlation between 7Be activity and change in temperature was obtained.

Total filterable mercury and 210Pb in the Canadian Arctic air

Total filterable mercury (TFM) and lead-210 ((210)Pb) were measured for a one-year air particulate sample series collected weekly at Resolute (74.7 degrees N, 95.0 degrees W), a Canadian high Arctic site, during July 1999 and June 2000. The measurements showed a clear time lag of two months between the peak concentrations of TFM and (210)Pb.

Nanoquartz in Late Permian C1 coal and the high incidence of female lung cancer in the Pearl River Origin area: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe Pearl River Origin area, Qujing District of Yunnan Province, has one of the highest female lung cancer mortality rates in China. Smoking was excluded as a cause of the lung cancer excess because almost all women were non-smokers. Crystalline silica embedded in the soot emissions from coal combustion was found to be associated with the lung cancer risk in a geographical correlation study. Lung cancer rates tend to be higher in places where the Late Permian C1 coal is produced. Therefore, we have hypothesized the two processes: C1 coal combustion --> nanoquartz in ambient air --> lung cancer excess in non-smoking women.Methods/DesignWe propose to conduct a retrospective cohort study to test the hypothesis above. We will search historical records and compile an inventory of the coal mines in operation during 1930–2009. To estimate the study subjects' retrospective exposure, we will reconstruct the historical exposure scenario by burning the coal samples, collected from operating or deserted coal mines by coal geologists, in a traditional firepit of an old house. Indoor air particulate samples will be collected for nanoquartz and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) analyses. Bulk quartz content will be quantified by X-ray diffraction analysis. Size distribution of quartz will be examined by electron microscopes and by centrifugation techniques. Lifetime cumulative exposure to nanoquartz will be estimated for each subject. Using the epidemiology data, we will examine whether the use of C1 coal and the cumulative exposure to nanoquartz are associated with an elevated risk of lung cancer.DiscussionThe high incidence rate of lung cancer in Xuan Wei, one of the counties in the current study area, was once attributed to high indoor air concentrations of PAHs. The research results have been cited for qualitative and quantitative cancer risk assessment of PAHs by the World Health Organization and other agencies. If nanoquartz is found to be the main underlying cause of the lung cancer epidemic in the study area, cancer potency estimates for PAHs by the international agencies based on the lung cancer data in this study setting should then be updated.

PIXE analysis of sand and soil from Ulaanbaatar and Karakurum, Mongolia

Twenty-one sand and soil samples were collected at the surface from 22 to 25 June 2007 at sampling sites from Ulaanbaatar to Karakurum, Mongolia. The sand samples were collected from constantly changing sand dunes which may still contain salt from prehistoric oceans. The dry sand and soil samples were processed for PIXE and PIGE analyses. A clear division between soils and sand become apparent in the silicon results. Concentrations of all bulk elements in human habitation samples and of Si, Al, K and Fe in dry lake/flood plain samples are similar to those in the soils and sands. Among elements which could be regarded as being at trace concentrations the average S concentration in the soils is 0.9gkg−1 whereas it is not detected in the sand samples. Zinc and Cu concentrations are both higher in the soils than the sands and are strongly correlated. A surprising presence of uranium at a concentration of 350mgkg−1 was detected in the PIXE measurement on one of the dry lake samples. Gamma spectrometry confirmed the presence of U in this sample and also at a lower level in a sample from the lake shore, but in none of the other samples. Further, the gamma spectrometry showed that 238U decay products were present only at a level corresponding to about 3mgkg−1 U for a system in radioactive equilibrium, a figure which is typical for U in the earth’s crust. Disequilibria between 238U and its decay products occur naturally but such a high degree of separation at high concentration would be unique if confirmed. PIXE and PIGE measurements of these samples highlight the difficulty in correlating trace element measurements with occurrence of indicators of sea salt in air particulate samples.

Simultaneous determination of aliphatic and aromatic amines in ambient air and airborne particulate matters by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method has been proposed for the simultaneous determination of aliphatic and aromatic amines in ambient air and airborne particulate matters (PMs). The method includes collection of the particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10) using dichotomous Partisol 2025 sampler followed by extraction of the compounds into acidic solution, and pre-concentration of the compounds by percolating the air samples through the acidic solution, then ion-pair extraction of amines with bis-2-ethylhexylphosphate and derivatisation with isobutyl chloroformate prior to their GC-MS analysis in both electron impact and positive and negative ion chemical ionisation mode as their isobutyloxycarbonyl (isoBOC) derivatives. In the present study, ambient air and airborne particulate samples collected in Zonguldak province during summer and winter times of 2006–2007 were analysed for aliphatic and aromatic amines by the proposed method and the method was shown to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of these compounds at the levels of pgm−3 in air and airborne particulate samples. The seasonal distributions of bioactive amines in concentrations in ambient air and airborne PMs were evaluated as they are significant for the estimation of their effects on the environment and human health. The concentration levels of water soluble amines fluctuate significantly within a year with higher means and peak concentrations, probably due to the increased emissions from coal-fired domestic and central heating, in the winter times compared to the summer times. The results indicated that the relative amine content in particulates modulates with molecular mass and time of the year and the relative amine content especially in fine fractions of inhalable airborne particulates increases with the molecular mass of species but decreases with temperature.

Decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) commercial mixture components, and other PBDEs, in airborne particles at a UK site

The occurrence of the major components of the decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) flame retardant and other PBDEs was investigated in daily air particulate samples from 17th April to 20th May 2004 at a semi-rural site in north-west England. BDE-209 was found at between <0.49 and 100 pg m−3 (median 13 pg m−3), and other higher-brominated PBDE congeners were also found, particularly the nona-BDEs (e.g. BDE-207: <0.042–79 pg m−3, median 2.5 pg m−3). Deca- and nona-BDEs dominated the median particulate sample congener profile: 60% BDE-209, 16% BDE-207, 6% BDE-208 and 4% BDE-206. Nona-BDEs were greatly enriched, relative to BDE-209, compared to the deca-BDE commercial mixture, which may suggest degradation of BDE-209 between source and sampling site, or release from older deca-BDE commercial mixtures, which may have contained higher proportions of nona-BDEs. The highest PBDE concentrations occurred when air-masses passed over urban and industrial areas to the SSW–SW, though small local influences may also be seen. PBDE concentrations appear to have been influenced mainly by particle levels: 1–3 μm diameter particles for BDE-153, and 3–10 μm particles for BDEs with 7–10 Br atoms. BDE-153 may either be released from combustion sources, or re-condense onto small particles after emission, whereas BDE-209 and nona-BDEs appear to be associated with larger dust particles from industrial or domestic sources.

Determination of plutonium and 90Sr in air particulate samples

Within the surveillance program of the gaseous effluents coming from the nuclear reprocessing plant EUREX of ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies Energy and Environment, CR Saluggia) in the North of Italy, the content of some radionuclides is continuously monitored. The so-called 1AW high-activity liquid waste (HLLW) is the aqueous raffinate of the first cycle of PUREX extraction process which was the starting point of the reprocessing activity of some MTR and CANDU spent fuel elements. Nowadays, 1AW-HLLW is stored in five tanks placed inside the EUREX plant site. This paper describes the sampling and radioanalytical methods employed to determine the activities of 241Am, plutonium isotopes and 90Sr in the total suspended particulate material (TSP) of the 1AW tank primary ventilation air circuit.

Determination of Water-soluble Atmospheric Aerosols Using Ion Chromatography

A field study was established to investigate the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols in Chicago, IL. One goal of this study was to determine the influence of precursor trace gases and local meteorology on concentrations of secondary aerosol ionic species. This paper describes the method details, shows the method is analytically valid, and reports overall as well as some specific results found during the field study. Two particulate air samples were collected per day onto quartz fiber filters at the Loyola University Chicago Air Station during the summer months in 2002-2004. In parallel, mixing ratios of ozone and nitrogen oxides were monitored and weather parameters were recorded. Particulates were extracted from the filter substrates and the subsequent solutions were analyzed by ion chromatography for anions, including low molecular weight organic acids, and cations. A washing procedure was implemented to reduce the high background values of the quartz fiber filters. Method validation showed that the collection method was efficient for all ions with exception of nitrate, whose efficiency of 70% indicated losses caused by volatilization. The extraction method also proved efficient for both field and laboratory samples, and the repeatability of the method was high with relative standard deviations less than 10% for all ions. Reproducibility of the results was determined by comparison of sulfate to sulfur analyzed by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and proved to be high as well. Concentrations differed significantly between the three summer studies due to varying levels of precursor species as a consequence of distinct temperatures and wind direction profiles.

Dose and Time Dependency of Inflammatory Responses in the Mouse Lung to Urban Air Coarse, Fine, and Ultrafine Particles From Six European Cities

We investigated the dose and time dependency of inflammatory and cytotoxic responses to size-segregated urban air particulate samples in the mouse lung. Coarse (PM10−2.5), fine (PM2.5−0.2), and ultrafine (PM0.2) particles were collected in six European cities (Duisburg, Prague, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Barcelona, Athens) in selected seasons using a modified Harvard high-volume cascade impactor. Healthy C57Bl/6J mice were intratracheally exposed to the particulate samples in a 24-h dose-response study (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) and in 4-, 12-, and 24-h time course studies (10 mg/kg). After the exposures, the lungs were lavaged and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assayed for indicators of inflammation and tissue damage: total cell number, cell differential, total protein, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytokine (tumor necrosis alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and keratinocyte-derived chemokine [KC]) concentrations. In general, PM10−2.5 samples had higher inflammatory activity than PM2.5−0.2 samples. PM0.2 samples showed negligible inflammatory activity. PM10−2.5 and PM2.5−0.2 samples caused large increases in BALF cytokine concentrations at 4 h, but not at 12 or 24 h, after exposure. The BALF total cell number and total protein concentrations increased significantly at 12 h for both the PM10−2.5 and PM2.5−0.2 samples, but only PM10−2.5 samples produced consistent, significant increases at 24 h after exposure. There was more heterogeneity in BALF cytokine and neutrophil cell number responses to PM2.5−0.2 samples than to PM10−2.5 samples between the sampling campaigns. Thus, particle size, sources, and atmospheric transformation processes affect the inflammatory activity and response duration of urban air particulate matter in the mouse lung.

Identification and Determination of Highly Carcinogenic Dibenzopyrene Isomers in Air Particulate Samples from a Street Canyon, a Rooftop, and a Subway Station in Stockholm

This study presents determined levels of the highly carcinogenic dibenzopyrene isomers dibenzo(a,l)pyrene, dibenzo(a,e)pyrene, dibenzo(a,l)pyrene, and dibenzo(a,h)pyrene as well as three other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)--benzo(a)pyrene, perylene and coronene--in ambient particulate material samples from a street canyon, a rooftop, and an underground subway station in Stockholm, Sweden. To our knowledge, these are the first reported determinations of dibenzopyrene isomers in air particles from either Stockholm or a subway station. Taking into account both concentration and toxic equivalence factors (TEFs), the PAH with the highest carcinogenic potency in the analyzed samples was dibenzo(a,l)pyrene, and the sum carcinogenic potency of the determined dibenzopyrenes was about 1-4 times higher than that of benzo(a)pyrene in the analyzed samples. These findings indicate that it is important to analyze the dibenzopyrene isomers as well as benzo(a)pyrene; the common approach of using benzo(a)pyrene as an indicator substance could lead to underestimates of the potential carcinogenic potency of PAHs in ambient air. The results also indicate that the relative carcinogenic potency of the determined dibenzopyrenes and benzo(a)pyrene in air particles from Stockholm is similar to that of air particles sampled in Washington in 1976-1977, despite general improvements in air quality in the intervening period. However, more data are needed to characterize temporal variations in dibenzopyrene levels in locations such as subway stations, suburbs, road tunnels, and metropolitan areas. There is also a need to identify and characterize both stationary and mobile PAH sources with respect to emission of dibenzopyrene isomers.

Identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in suspended particulate matter by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopic technique

The synchronous fluorescence (SF) technique has been used in the identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from air particulate sample in an urban environment of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Suspended particulate matter samples of 24 h duration were collected on glass fiber filter papers. PAHs were extracted from the filter papers using dichloromethane (DCM) + hexane with ultrasonication method. Qualitative measurements of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were carried out using the SF technique at various wavelength intervals (Δ λ). Due to the difference in chemical structure, each PAH gives specific characteristic spectrum for each Δ λ. Following PAHs were detected in our measurement: benz(a)anthracene (BaA), pyrene (Pyr), chrysene (Chry), fluoranthene (Flan), phenanthrene (Phen), and benz(ghi)perylene (BghiP). This is in agreement with our earlier work for determination of these PAHs using gas chromatography (GC). The seasonal variation of the PAHs was found to be maximum in winter and minimum during the monsoon.

Aerosol ion concentration dependence on atmospheric conditions in Chicago

This study seeks to determine the influence of precursor trace gases and local meteorology, including lake breeze events, on the concentrations of secondary aerosol species in Chicago. For this, two particulate air samples per day were collected onto quartz fiber filters at the Loyola University Chicago Air Station (LUCAS) during the summer months of 2002 and 2003 and subsequently analyzed by ion chromatography for sulfate, nitrate and oxalate. In parallel, mixing ratios of ozone (O 3) and nitrogen oxides (NO and NO 2 NO x ) were monitored and weather parameters were recorded. In addition, backward trajectories were obtained to estimate air mass transport to Chicago. Ozone and NO x mixing ratios as well as sulfate, nitrate and oxalate concentrations varied substantially throughout the study, but three situations could be distinguished based on meteorology and chemistry. Case one had the lowest ozone, NO x and ion levels due to wind directions constantly from Lake Michigan. Case two comprised of days showing the highest pollutant levels because of to predominantly southwestern air currents and warm temperatures and case three experienced an air stagnation situation in the morning leading to high NO x mixing ratios and a subsequent lake breeze event. In the last case, elevated ozone mixing ratios and ion concentrations were observed after lake breeze onset indicating pollutant transport.

PM 10 sampler deposited air particulates: Ascertaining uniformity of sample on filter through rotated exposure to radiation

For reproducibility of analytical results of samples deposited on filters using PM 10 sampler, homogeneity of the sample on the filter is very important especially when the size of the X-ray beam for the analysis is less than the size of filter. It is against this background that the air particulate samples collected on using PM 10 samplers are analysed to determine the elemental concentrations. Each sample was divided into four quadrants and each was analysed under same conditions to determine if the particles were deposited uniformly over the filter. Each analysis was done using EDXRF technique. The spectrometer consists of four secondary targets, which are automatically switched to in sequence in analysing each sample. The concentration of various elements detected was determined using TURBOQUANT (a brand name for a SPECTRO method which is used for screening analysis). Sixteen elements were detected in every sample. Results show that there was less than 10% deviation in the concentrations in different quadrants. There were a few elements like Ba, Cs, etc., which have deviation greater than 20%. The concentrations of these latter elements were close to detection limits of the spectrometer. We conclude that the analytical result of particulate samples deposited on filters by the PM 10 sampler can be reliable in terms of the homogeneity of the deposition. For such analytes with low concentrations, it would be important that the sampling time be increased to allow for higher mass deposition on the filter.