Airborne Particulate Samples Research Articles

Direct Analysis of Low-Volatile Molecular Marker Extract from Airborne Particulate Matter Using Sensitivity Correction Method.

Molecular marker analysis of environmental samples often requires time consuming preseparation steps. Here, analysis of low-volatile nonpolar molecular markers (5-6 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs, hopanoids, and n-alkanes) without the preseparation procedure is presented. Analysis of artificial sample extracts was directly conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). After every sample injection, a standard mixture was also analyzed to make a correction on the variation of instrumental sensitivity caused by the unfavorable matrix contained in the extract. The method was further validated for the PAHs using the NIST standard reference materials (SRMs) and then applied to airborne particulate matter samples. Tests with the SRMs showed that overall our methodology was validated with the uncertainty of ~30%. The measurement results of airborne particulate matter (PM) filter samples showed a strong correlation between the PAHs, implying the contributions from the same emission source. Analysis of size-segregated PM filter samples showed that their size distributions were found to be in the PM smaller than 0.4 μm aerodynamic diameter. The observations were consistent with our expectation of their possible sources. Thus, the method was found to be useful for molecular marker studies.

Recent advances in the application of 2-dimensional gas chromatography with soft and hard ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry in environmental analysis.

Two-dimensional gas chromatography has huge power for separating complex mixtures. The principles of the technique are outlined together with an overview of detection methods applicable to GC × GC column effluent with a focus on selectivity. Applications of GC × GC techniques in the analysis of petroleum-related and airborne particulate matter samples are reviewed. Mass spectrometric detection can be used alongside spectral libraries to identify eluted compounds, but in complex petroleum-related and atmospheric samples, when used conventionally at high ionisation energies, may not allow differentiation of structural isomers. Available low energy ionisation methods are reviewed and an example given of the additional structural information which can be extracted by measuring mass spectra at both low and high ionisation energies, hence greatly enhancing the selectivity of the technique.

A microfluidics-based on-chip impinger for airborne particle collection.

Capturing airborne particles from air into a liquid is a critical process for the development of many sensors and analytical systems. A miniaturized airborne particle sampling device (microimpinger) has been developed in this research. The microimpinger relies on a controlled bubble generation process produced by driving air through microchannel arrays. The particles confined in the microscale bubbles are captured in the sampling liquid while the bubbles form, are released and travel in a millimetre-scale sealed liquid reservoir. The microchannel arrays in the impinger are fabricated using a soft-lithography method with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the structural material. To prevent air leakage at the connections, a PDMS-only sealing technique is successfully developed. The hydrophobicity of the microchannel surface is found to be critical for generating continuous and stable bubbles in the bubbling process. A Teflon layer is coated on the walls of a microchannel array by vapor deposition which effectively increases the hydrophobicity of the PDMS. The collection efficiency of the microimpinger is measured by counting different sizes of fluorescent polystyrene latex particles on polycarbonate membrane filters. Collection efficiencies above 90% are achieved. Furthermore, the particle capturing mechanisms during the injection, formation and rise of a single microbubble are investigated by a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved along with the use of the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method to capture the bubble deformations and the particles are tracked using a Lagrangian equation of motion. The model is also employed to study the effect of bubble size on the collection efficiency of the microimpinger.

Dry deposition velocity of 137Cs and 134Cs in Spain after the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Aerosol samples collected at the Technical University of Catalonia in Barcelona were analysed for traces of 134Cs and 137Cs emitted during the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011. Samples were collected with a high-volume airborne particulate sampling system, and with a dry and wet deposition collection system for subsequent analysis. Due to the very low activities, the filters were measured in an underground ultra-low background laboratory. This has enabled the characterization of dry velocity deposition for 134Cs and 137Cs. Results show a dry velocity deposition of 0.07cms−1.

반도체 작업환경 내 부산물로 생성되는 실리카 입자의 크기, 형상 및 결정 구조

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the physicochemical properties of silica powder and airborne particles as by-products generated from fabrication processes to reduce unknown risk factors in the semiconductor manufacturing work environment. Materials and Methods: Sampling was conducted at 200 mm and 300 mm semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities. Thirty-two powder and airborne by-product samples, diffusion(10), chemical vapor deposition(10), chemical mechanical polishing(5), clean(5), etch process(2), were collected from inner chamber parts from process and 1st scrubber equipment during maintenance and process operation. The chemical composition, size, shape, and crystal structure of silica by-product particles were determined by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffractometry. Results: All powder and airborne particle samples were composed of oxygen(O) and silicon(Si), which means silica particle. The by-product particles were nearly spherical <TEX>$SiO_2$</TEX> and the particle size ranged 25 nm to <TEX>$50{\mu}m$</TEX>, and most of the particles were usually agglomerated within a particle size range from approximately 25 nm to 500 nm. In addition, the crystal structure of the silica powder particles was found to be an amorphous silica. Conclusions: The silica by-product particles generated from the semiconductor manufacturing processes are amorphous <TEX>$SiO_2$</TEX>, which is considered a less toxic form. These results should provide useful information for alternative strategies to improve the work environment and workers' health.

Occurrence of phthalate diesters in particulate and vapor phases in indoor air and implications for human exposure in Albany, New York, USA.

Phthalate diesters are used as plasticizers in a wide range of consumer products. Because phthalates have been shown in laboratory animal studies to be toxic, human exposure to these chemicals is a matter of concern. Nevertheless, little is known about inhalation exposure to phthalates in the United States. In this study, occurrence of nine phthalates was determined in 60 indoor air samples collected in 2014 in Albany, New York, USA. Airborne particulate and vapor phase samples were collected from various sampling locations by use of a low-volume air sampler. The median concentrations of nine phthalates in air samples collected from homes, offices, laboratories, schools, salons (hair and nail salons), and public places were 732, 143, 170, 371, 2600, and 354ng/m(3), respectively. Diethyl phthalate (DEP) was found at the highest concentrations, which ranged from 4.83 to 2250ng/m(3) (median 152) followed by di-n-butyl phthalate, which ranged from 4.05 to 1170ng/m(3) (median 63.3). The median inhalation exposure dose to phthalates was estimated at 0.845, 0.423, 0.203, 0.089, and 0.070µg/kg-bw/d for infants, toddlers, children, teenagers, and adults, respectively. Inhalation is an important pathwayof human exposure to DEP.

Levels, potential sources and human health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particulate matter (PM(10)) in Kumasi, Ghana.

Airborne particulate samples were collected on quartz filters to determine the concentrations, sources and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air in Kumasi, Ghana. A total of 32 air samples were collected in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus (pristine site) and city centre (CC). Samples were extracted with 1:2 v/v acetone/hexane mixture prior to GC-MS analyses. The sum of concentrations of 17 PAHs in air ranged from 0.51 to 16 (KNUST) and 19-38 ng/m(3) (CC). The concentration of benzo[a]pyrene, BaP, ranged from below detection limit to 0.08 ng/m(3) (KNUST) and 1.6 to 5.6 ng/m(3) (CC). Chemical mass balance model showed that PAHs in air in Kumasi were mainly from fuel combustion. The total BaP equivalent concentration (BaPeq) in CC was 18 times higher compared to KNUST; based on the European Legislation and Swedish and UK Standards for BaP in air, CC could be classified as highly polluted. Estimated carcinogenicity of PAHs in terms of BaPeq indicated that BaP was the principal PAH contributor in CC (70%). Health risk to adults and children associated with PAH inhalation was assessed by taking into account the lifetime average daily dose and corresponding incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). The ILCR was within the acceptable range (10(-6) to 10(-4)), indicating low health risk to residents.

Development of an Analytical Method for Strong Mutagens/Carcinogens, 3,9-Dinitrofluoranthene and Dinitropyrene Isomers, in the Environment and Their Particle-Size Distribution in Airborne Particles

3,9-Dinitrofluoranthene (DNF) and 1,3-, 1,6-, and 1,8-dinitropyrene (DNP) isomers are classified as “possible human carcinogens (Group 2B)” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In the present study, we developed an analytical method for DNF and DNP isomers, which is composed of efficient purification of nitroarenes from impurities and separation of nitroarenes from each other using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and two-dimensional HPLC analysis. These nitroarenes are reduced to corresponding aminoarenes online and sensitively quantified by their fluorescence. We adopted this analytical method for surface soil and airborne particle samples. In the chromatograms of HPLC analysis, DNF and DNP isomers were sufficiently separated from each other and no interfering peaks were observed around DNF and DNP isomers. DNF and 1,3-, 1,6-, and 1,8-DNP isomers were detected in the ranges of 47–579, 27–165, 30–238, and 34–228 pg g−1 of soil, respectively, from all analyzed samples (n = 6). The contribution ratios of DNF to the mutagenicity toward Salmonella typhimurium TA98 without a metabolic system (S9) were high in the range of 11.6–36.6 %. When classified airborne particles, namely, 7.0 µm in size, were analyzed, amounts of DNF were 64, 14, 13, 6, and 5 fg m−3, respectively, and DNF tended to be detected in smaller airborne particles. This is the first report on an analytical method for DNF in the environment and the particle-size distribution of DNF in airborne particles.

Magnetic properties of airborne particulate matter in Shanghai during dust storm events and the implications for heavy metal contaminant sources

Airborne particulate samples (including dust storm period samples) were collected from the Putuo, Qingpu and Minhang districts of Shanghai city from October, 2009 to October, 2010, and also tracked the dust transporting pathways from NW (Northwest) to SE (Southeast) including the cities of Xi’an, Beijing, Zhengzhou and Nantong, as a means of sampling the dust storm particulate matter in the spring of 2010. After measuring the magnetic parameters and the concentrations of particles and heavy metals, their magnetic properties were analyzed to track the source locations of heavy metal pollution during dust storm events, and then combined for backward trajectory analysis. It was found that the slightly polluted dust particles carried many contaminants during dust storm periods when the dust palls were transported by winter monsoon winds from the NW desert region towards the SE. The contaminants were further increased by contributions of fine SP&SD grains derived from local automobile exhausts in Shanghai as well as being enriched also in Northern cities during non-dust storm periods. A significantly positive linear relation was found between the χlf and SIRM of loess and the storm dust, indicating a similar material source for these two kinds of samples. A higher χlf and SIRM in storm dust content compared to loess suggests that storm dust contains not only materials from natural sources, but also those from partly anthropogenic sources. Backward trajectory analysis indicates intuitively the source region of the Shanghai storm dust. These conclusions have important scientific significance for research on long-distance transportation of contaminants (such as heavy metals) adsorbed onto airborne particulate matter during dust storm events.

Design and Laboratory Evaluation of a Sequential Spot Sampler for Time-Resolved Measurement of Airborne Particle Composition.

A new sampling approach has been developed to enable affordable, time-resolved monitoring of particulate chemical compositions, and more generally to provide concentrated samples of airborne particles. Using a newly developed, moderated water-based condensational growth technology, individual particle samples are deposited in a 1-mm diameter dry "spot". The moderated condensation technology enables this collection with minimal temperature rise, providing robust collection for volatile constituents. Measured collection efficiencies are above 95% for particles in the size range from 0.010 μm to 2.5 μm. A set of 20 or more time-resolved samples, plus blanks, may be collected onto a multiwell collection plate. For chemical analysis the plate is returned to the laboratory, and placed directly into a modified autosampler, without extraction or preparation. The autosampler handles the addition of eluent, extraction, and sample injection without user manipulation. This paper presents the design and laboratory evaluation of a 1.5 L/min sampling rate version of this system.

Determination of copper in airborne particulate matter using slurry sampling and chemical vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometry

The present paper describes the development of a method for the determination of copper in airborne particulate matter using slurry sampling and chemical vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometry (CVG AAS). Chemometric tools were employed to characterize the influence of several factors on the generation of volatile copper species. First, a two-level full factorial design was performed that included the following chemical variables: hydrochloric acid concentration, tetrahydroborate concentration, sulfanilamide concentration and tetrahydroborate volume, using absorbance as the response. Under the established experimental conditions, the hydrochloric acid concentration had the greatest influence on the generation of volatile copper species. Subsequently, a Box–Behnken design was performed to determine the optimum conditions for these parameters. A second chemometric study employing a two-level full factorial design was performed to evaluate the following physical factors: tetrahydroborate flow rate, flame composition, alcohol volume and sample volume. The results of this study demonstrated that the tetrahydroborate flow rate was critical for the process. The chemometric experiments determined the following experimental conditions for the method: hydrochloric acid concentration, 0.208M; tetrahydroborate concentration, 4.59%; sulfanilamide concentration, 0.79%; tetrahydroborate volume, 2.50mL; tetrahydroborate flow rate, 6.50mLmin−1; alcohol volume, 200µL; and sample volume, 7.0mL. Thus, this method, using a slurry volume of 500µL and a final dilution of 7mL, allowed for the determination of copper with limits of detection and quantification of 0.30 and 0.99µgL−1, respectively. Precisions, expressed as RSD%, of 4.6 and 2.8% were obtained using copper solutions at concentrations of 5.0 and 50.0µgL−1, respectively. The accuracy was evaluated by the analysis of a certified reference material of urban particulate matter. The copper concentration obtained was 570±63mgkg−1, and the certified value was 610±70mgkg−1. This method was applied for the determination of copper in airborne particulate matter samples collected in two Brazilian regions of Bahia State, Brazil. The copper contents found varied from 14.46 to 164.31ngm−3.

Mutagenicity and clastogenicity of native airborne particulate matter samples collected under industrial, urban or rural influence

Airborne particulate matter has recently been classified by the IARC as carcinogenic to humans (group 1). However, the link between PM chemical composition and its carcinogenicity is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and to compare genotoxic potencies of 6 native PM samples collected in spring–summer or autumn–winter, either in industrial, urban or rural area. We evaluated their mutagenicity through Ames test on YG1041, TA98, and TA102 tester strains, and their clastogenicity on human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells using comet assay, γ-H2AX quantification, and micronucleus assay. Ames test results showed a strong positive response, presumably associated with nitro-aromatics content. In addition, at least 2 positive responses were observed out of the 3 genotoxicity assays for each of the 6 samples, demonstrating their clastogenicity. Our data suggest that PM samples collected in autumn–winter season are more genotoxic than those collected in spring–summer, potentially because of higher concentrations of adsorbed organic compounds. Taken together, our results showed the mutagenicity and clastogenicity of native PM2.5 samples from different origins, and bring additional elements to explain the newly recognized carcinogenicity of outdoor air pollution.

Assessment of sample preparation methods for the analysis of trace elements in airborne particulate matter

A method was tested for the digestion of SRM 1648a and airborne particulate samples using acid reflux before ICP-MS analysis of trace elements. The suitability of SRM 1648(a) as a reference material for airborne PM is discussed.

Long term airborne lead pollution monitoring in Bandung, Indonesia

Lead poisoning is one of the environmental problems affecting human health. In Indonesia, leaded gasoline was completely phased out since July 2006. As part of an air pollution study, Pb monitoring was carried out from 2005 to 2012 in Bandung to assess the impact of the use of unleaded gasoline on the Pb level in the ambient air in Indonesia. Airborne particulate samples were collected using a Gent stacked filter unit sampler in two size fractions of [Formula: see text] (fine) and 2.5 to [Formula: see text] (coarse). Black carbon (BC) was determined by reflectance and elemental analysis was performed using particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The results showed that the annual averages of lead concentrations in the fine particulate matter in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were 44.53, 27.06, 22.21, 17.75, 17.21, 16.24, 19.25 and 12.69 [Formula: see text], respectively. The airborne lead concentrations showed a declining trend over the years after implementation of the government policy of phasing out leaded gasoline. After six years of monitoring, the lead concentration in PM2.5 was decreased by over 70% compared to samples collected before July 2006. The average of PM mass, BC and elemental concentrations are also presented and discussed. The significant decrease of Pb concentration in the ambient air of Bandung is a great success story of the phase out of leaded gasoline in Indonesia.

Raman Characterization of Ambient Airborne Soot and Associated Mineral Phases

Airborne particulate matter samples were collected in an urban and a rural–suburban monitoring stations of the city of Rome, Italy, and the particles were analyzed through the Raman microspectroscopy. A careful examination of the spectral bands, performed with a five-(Voigt) curve deconvolution model previously described by the literature and here adapted to the purpose, lead to the characterization of the graphitic and carbonaceous material plus the identification of the mineral particles associated with it. Statistical analysis of the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values of the bands, as well as of their intensity ratio, revealed the presence of two classes of soot particles that can be ascribed to a different degree of crystallinity. The population of soot collected at the urban site, where the vehicular emission component prevails, exhibits mostly crystalline characteristics (with a D1 FWHM of 150–155 cm−1), whereas the population collected at the rural–suburban site, particularly the coarse fract...

Occupational health risk assessment associated to landfill sites in Cuautla, Morelos, México

Background Household waste of 1.6 million people in Morelos, Mexico, accounting almost 1700 ton/day, which are disposed either in an open dump (93%), or in an landfill sites (7%), with the consequently environmental impacts that affect water, soil and air quality. Aims Pilote study to evaluate the potential worker exposure to envioronmental PM10 and relate it to their health status in the Landfill "Perseverance" in Cuautla, Morelos. Methods Samples of airborne particles (PM10) were collected using miniVol sampler with teflón filters, located in the landfill 2 m above ground level. 23 men workers participate in this study; standarized staff obtained anthropometry data, blood pressure and blood samples previously reading and signing the informed consent letter. Blood samples were analyzed for biochemical factors. Results The workers aged from 18 to 39 years old (P50 = 26). Hemoglobin levels were from 9 to 22 g / dL (p50 = 15.8 g / dL) considering this a low hemoglobin value and 11 samples were above the reference value (16 g / dL). Similar values were found among workers with deshidratation. PM10 average 24h concentrations ranged from 11 to 299 ug/m3. The worker exposure is about 12 h/day (6:00 to 18:00 hours). Conclusions The study group, formed by formal and informal Landfill workers, have similarities health status, customs and lifestyles. This study is an important approach to health impact associated to landfill activities.

Fukushima radionuclides at air filter and rain water samples collected from Istanbul and their atmospheric removal time

Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) is one of the most serious accident in the world after Chernobyl accident. Following the continuing release of radionuclides in air after FDNPP, traces of fission products ((131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs) were recorded in the air filter and rain water samples collected from the ÇNAEM area at İstanbul on 4 April 2011. Airborne particle samples were collected daily in air filters and radio assayed with a high purity germanium detector. The fission products (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs were measured with the maximum activity concentrations of 1.03±0.08, 0.25±0.03 and 0.23±0.03 mBq m(-3), respectively. For determination of the origin of the releases the (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio was calculated between 1.09 and 0.85. The authors find removal times for (137)Cs of 8.13 d, (134)Cs of 7.25 d and (131)I of 6.82 d.

Provenance of inorganic aerosol using single-particle analysis: A case study

A total of 137 samples of airborne particulates with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter of 10μm or less (PM10) were collected from April 2007 to July 2008 in four different areas (Potenza, Lavello, Viggiano, Matera) of the Basilicata region in southern Italy. A total of approximately 140,000 particles were analysed using a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) equipped with an Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS). To formulate a hypothesis on the origin of particles, the dataset was numerically reduced using mineralogical criteria. Eight particle groups were established (Silicate, Silica, Carbonate, Sea Salt, Polymineral, Industrial, Sulphur, and Biogenic Particles) among which Silicate, Sulphur and Industrial Particles were found to be the most abundant. Among the Silicate Particles, the alumosilicates were the most commonly occurring particles (mineral and fly ash particles), and the presence of a small metallurgical factory located in the industrial area of Potenza significantly affects the presence of metal particles (mainly Fe–Zn spinels). The anthropogenic pressure exerted by different types of Sulphur-rich (e.g., Na–Ca-Sulphates, S-only) Particles in the other areas is most likely linked to industrial combustion processes, i.e., waste incinerator oil and oil extraction. Significant differences were found in the particulate concentrations and the compositions of samples collected in different seasons as well as during the night and daytime periods. Crustal Particles were the most abundant in spring–summer, and both Sulphur-rich Particles and Industrial Particles increased in autumn–winter. The proportion of latter category of particles increases in the samples collected during the night periods due to weather conditions (atmospheric stability, thermal inversion, etc.). Sulphur-rich Particles were observed to be more abundant during the daytime due to anthropogenic processes (combustion) and solar radiation. In summary, mineralogical and geochemical approaches are fundamental to delineate the human and natural contributions from automated microscopic analyses.

Platinum concentrations in urban airborne particles from Shanghai, China

The PM10 airborne particle samples were collected at Shanghai from December 2003 to December 2005 in order to investigate platinum contamination in the urban air. The samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results show that the average Pt concentration in the air of the center of Shanghai was 1.69±0.93 pg m-3 that the increment of the Pt concentrations in Shanghai air was no significant from December 2003 to December 2005, and that the seasonal variations of the Pt concentrations over two years are possibly due to meteorological influences (i.e., wind and rain). The analytical results of the sixteen PM10 samples simultaneously collected at four sampling sites with different traffic intensity in Shanghai show a clear dependence between Pt concentrations and traffic intensity, which suggests that the auto exhaust is the main emission source of Pt in Shanghai air. Compared with the Pt background value of 0.54±0.03 pg m-3, the Pt contamination in the ambient air of the center of Shanghai is significant. However, the Pt contamination level in Shanghai air is lower than one in urban air of some cities in Europe, the United States and Japan.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis for the study of size-fractionated airborne particulate matter samples

Abstract In order to devise methodology to study various environmental matrices 28 pairs of coarse and fine air particulate samples were collected in the vicinity of an automotive workshop located at Tasmasipabad on Chaklala Road, Rawalpindi. The samples were collected using a Gent sampler and polycarbonate filters during the period 7 to 27 April 2009. These samples were analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) using the low power Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor-2 (PARR-2). Reference materials (RMs) IAEA-SL1 and IAEA-S7 were used for calibration and quality assurance (QA) purpose. The gravimetric data for these samples were found to exceed the PM2.5 and PM10 national limits. Up to 34 elements were measured using the INAA optimized procedure.