Total Suspended Particulate Concentrations Research Articles

Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) simulation using the gaussian dispersion model

Air pollution is one of the most dangerous and worrying. One of the causes of air pollution is dust or Total Suspended Particulate (TSP), namely particles with a diameter of <100 μm. The Total Suspended Particulate causes visual distrurbances and respiratory disorders such as URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection). According to data from Badan Pusat Statistik Kota Padang in 2018, URTI represents the highest complaint in the district Lubuk Begalung as many as 5,534 cases (28%). In the district has industrial and transportation activities which are a source of air pollution. However, in there haven’t real time monitoring of air pollution, so it is necessary to carry out air pollution simulations. This study aims to determine the concentration of TSP ambient air pollution and to analyze the distribution air pollutant in the Lubuk Begalung District, Padang City. The research method used a quantitative, where the emission inventory and meteorological data used the Gauss dispersion model and surver 15 software. The maximum TSP from measurement and modeling results was 113.42 µg/m3 and 27.16 µg/m3. This result explain about the TSP concentration is still below the National BMUA in PP RI No. 41 of 1999, which is 230 µg/m3 (still in good condition). This is different from previous studies because this study only considers sources of industrial emissions without other sources of pollution. The result of the TSP distribution is moving increasingly towards the Southwest from the emission source and reaches a maximum concentration at the coordinate point (-0.98103 oS, 100.34567 oE), according to the dominant wind direction.

Characterizing a Year-Round Particulate Matter Concentration and Variation under Different Environmental Controls in a Naturally Ventilated Dairy Barn

A mixing fan and spraying system is commonly used to control the indoor environment of naturally ventilated dairy barns worldwide. However, its impact on particulate matter (PM) concentration and variation is still unclear due to the lack of year-round field data. To systematically characterize the PM dynamics under different environmental controls (namely, EC1: No Fans and No Spraying; EC2: Fans; EC3: Fans and Spraying), a year-round continuous monitoring of PM less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and total suspended particle (TSP) concentrations, as well as indoor environmental factors, was carried out inside a naturally ventilated dairy barn using an IoT-based sensor monitoring network. Results showed that the hourly mean TSP and PM2.5 concentrations were 94.7 μg m−3 and 49.8 μg m−3, respectively. EC2 had a higher TSP content (116.6 μg m−3) than EC1 (98.0 μg m−3) and EC3 (81.9 μg m−3). EC1 had the greatest PM2.5 concentration (57.1 μg m−3), followed by EC2 (48.3 μg m−3) and EC3 (44.7 μg m−3). EC1 showed clear TSP and PM2.5 fluctuations during the daily operations at 07:00 to 08:00 and 18:00 to 19:00, while irregular peaks in EC2 and a relatively steady diurnal variation in EC3 were found. Daily Tsp concentrations in the three ECs did not exceed 300 μg m−3. However, 17.8%, 11.5%, and 4.8% of the observed days in EC1, EC2, and EC3 had daily mean PM2.5 concentrations above the healthy threshold (75 μg m−3), mostly from 07:00 to 08:00 and 22:00–07:00. In conclusion, the mixing fan and spraying system had significant effects on PM concentration and variation, and more protection procedures should be taken for farm workers to prevent long-term health risk exposure, to EC1 in particular.

Sources Causing Long-Term and Seasonal Changes in Combustion-Derived Particulate Matter in the Urban Air of Sapporo, Japan, from 1990 to 2002

Fifty-one samples were collected seasonally to estimate the amounts of total suspended particulate (TSP) in Sapporo, Japan, from 1990 to 2002. The atmospheric concentration of combustion-derived particulate (Pc) was calculated based on the NP method using 1-nitropyrene and pyrene. The atmospheric TSP and Pc concentration ranges were between 31–121 µg m−3 of air (Mean ± standard deviation (SD) = 58.2 ± 20.2 µg m−3) and 31–121 µg m−3 (Mean ± SD = 8.2 ± 6.0 µg m−3), respectively. First-order linear regression equations suggested that the Pc fraction decreased faster than TSP. The highest and lowest Pc concentrations were observed in winter and summer, respectively, whereas the highest and lowest TSP concentrations were observed in spring and winter, respectively. The largest and smallest Pc/TSP concentration ratios were observed in winter (0.324) and summer (0.075), respectively. The seasonal fractions of high-temperature combustion-derived particulate (Ph) in Pc ranged from 0.56 (winter) to 0.75 (summer), suggesting that the contribution of vehicle emissions to Pc was always larger than those of coal and biomass combustion. The sources of long-term and seasonal change in Pc were elucidated by analyzing organic source markers. Atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) and hopanes showed long-term and seasonal changes similar to those of Pc, although biomarkers of biomass and coal combustion, such as levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan were not as strongly correlated. These results suggest that the change in the Pc concentration was mainly affected by vehicle emissions rather than by coal and biomass combustion or secondary pollutant formation. The decrease in the Pc over the study period was mainly a result of the Japanese particulate matter/NOx regulations on vehicle exhaust.

Insight into the relationships between total suspended particles and mercury in meltwater in a typical glacierized basin in the inland Tibetan Plateau

Mercury (Hg) released by melting glaciers is likely to bind to suspended particles in meltwater runoff, posing potential risks to downstream ecosystems. The rapidly receding glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau promote the export of total suspended particles (TSP), increasing the uncertainty of Hg export released by glacier melting. To investigate the relationships between TSP and Hg, a multimedia sampling campaign was conducted in July 2020 in the Kuoqionggangri glacier region of the Lhasa River Valley No. 1 glacierized basin located in the inland Tibetan Plateau. Samples from glacier snow/ice, supraglacial rivers, subglacial rivers, proglacial lakes, and meltwater runoff were obtained, and the relationships between TSP and Hg and their transport in glacier meltwater runoff in the context of glacier retreat were explored. The average TSP concentration of different environmental samples ranged from 9.51 mg/L to 399. 27 mg/L, showing significant differences. The average total Hg (THg) concentrations ranged from 0.52 ng/L to 58.81 ng/L and decreased in the order of snow/ice >runoff> subglacial river > proglacial lake > supraglacial river. Both TSP mass concentration and number concentration have an impact on the diurnal variation in meltwater runoff Hg, and the influence of TSP number concentration is stronger than that of concentration. Sites with high TSP concentrations and quantities tended to have higher Hg concentrations, while TSP particle size had no significant effect on Hg concentration or spatial distribution. Our study further divided the glacier recharge basin into the glacier cover zone, the periglacial zone, and the downstream zone and discussed the potential impact of TSP on Hg transport in each zone. Our analysis highlights that the periglacial zone will expand and activate the resuspension process of river sediments in the warming future, which may increase the export of TSP and Hg downstream.

Measurement of Airborne Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds Produced During the Heat Treatment Process in Manufacturing Welding Materials

BackgroundThere is little information about the airborne hazardous agents released during the heat treatment when manufacturing a welding material. This study aimed to evaluate the airborne hazardous agents generated at welding material manufacturing sites through area sampling. Methodsconcentration of airborne particles was measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer and optical particle sizer. Total suspended particles (TSP) and respirable dust samples were collected on polyvinyl chloride filters and weighed to measure the mass concentrations. Volatile organic compounds and heavy metals were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, respectively. ResultsThe average mass concentration of TSP was 683.1 ± 677.4 μg/m3, with respirable dust accounting for 38.6% of the TSP. The average concentration of the airborne particles less than 10 μm in diameter was 11.2–22.8 × 104 particles/cm3, and the average number of the particles with a diameter of 10–100 nm was approximately 78–86% of the total measured particles (<10 μm). In the case of volatile organic compounds, the heat treatment process concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during combustion than during cooling. The airborne heavy metal concentrations differed depending on the materials used for heat treatment. The content of heavy metals in the airborne particles was approximately 32.6%. ConclusionsNanoparticle exposure increased as the number of particles in the air around the heat treatment process increases, and the ratio of heavy metals in dust generated after the heat treatment process is high, which may adversely affect workers' health.

Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of organophosphate esters and brominated flame retardants in water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): A field study

Mechanisms underlying the plant uptake, accumulation, and translocation of organophosphate esters (OPEs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in field environments remain ambiguous. To better understand these processes, we selected a typically polluted river with steady flow and rampant water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and investigated 25 OPEs and 23 BFRs in 24 sets of matched water–plant samples. Both OPEs and BFRs showed high or ultra-high levels in field water hyacinths, statistically positive water–plant/root concentration correlations, and dominant distributions in the roots. Passive root uptake was the dominant route for OPEs and BFRs to enter the water hyacinth. Both OPEs and BFRs in water hyacinth exhibited acropetal translocation from the root and possible basipetal translocation from the leaf. The accumulation and translocation of OPEs in water hyacinth were significantly affected by their substituents and structures, including the chlorination degree, alkyl chain length, side chain, and methylation degree of aryl-substituted OPEs. The translocation of BFRs in water hyacinth also showed close association with their bromination degree, but their accumulation in roots showed anomaly, indicating possible transformations. Overall, the enrichment and behavior of OPEs and BFRs in water hyacinth seemed to be mainly controlled by physicochemical parameters. OPE/BFR concentrations in total suspended particulate (TSP), TSP-associated organic carbon content, TSP concentration, and plant biomass all showed significant effects on their root accumulation and translocations in water hyacinth. This study provides rare field evidences and novel insights into the basipetal translocation of OPEs and BFRs in plants.

The impact of heavy metals that released from vehicles exhausts on some biochemical parameters in Eucalyptus and Ziziphus plants in street intersections of Baghdad city

The air pollution by vehicles exhaust is consider the most risk environmental problems, especially when precipitate on soil surface and transport to the plants and entering the food chain. so that, the current study was carried out to determine the impacts of air pollution on the plants growth in traffic intersections, the study was carried out in Baghdad city, identified two regions for each of the both sides of the Rusafa and Karkh by two main sites for each region, as well as, the secondary stations in each site. the heavy metals and total suspended particles concentrations were determined in the filter paper that suffer the pollution air for 30 min. in specific sites using sniffer device. The concentrations decrease of some pollutants was noticed more than to the national and global permitted limits and the summer was the highest season in pollution during study period. Eucalyptus and Ziziphus spina Christi plants was chosen to evaluating the impacts of pollution on the plants because its being of the most common and the evergreen trees in the Baghdad s' streets. Primary metabolites content in plants was measured as total chlorophyll recorded a height concentration in August(98.631mg/gm) in Eucalyptus leaves ,while the total protein content reached to maximum concentration (26.101 mg/gm) in both plants, either total carbohydrate content reached to (88ppm) in Eucalyptus leaves and (74.62ppm) in Ziziphus leaves and noticed that , the increase in concentration of pollutants affected on the protein and carbohydrate content. Seven phenolic compounds was diagnosed being one of the main secondary compounds of metabolism , the increase in total phenolic content was recorded in the region that have a high concentration of carbon dioxide was reach to (6699.88ppm) in Al-Mansour(3) samples compared to the control samples was(2388.87ppm). the heavy metals concentrations in the leaves of eucalyptus and ziziphus arranged from more to less as steady regime throughout the study period in the following order: iron &gt; zinc &gt; copper &gt; lead .

Operational parameters impact on spatial and temporal distribution and multifractal characteristics of particulate matter concentration under the sink effect

The influences of different factors on spatial and temporal mass transfer mechanism and dynamic characteristics of particulate matter (PM) under the sink effect are not clear. The objective of this study was to quantitatively analyze the influences of operational parameters on spatial and temporal distribution and multifractal characteristics of indoor suspended PM concentration under the sink effect. Results showed that with the increase of the applied voltage of the purification device, the reverse increase processes of PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations were progressively attenuated, and PM10 and total suspended particulates (TSP) concentrations decreased clearly. The dynamic evolution processes of the PM concentration series all presented strong persistence and obeyed the scale-invariant power-law statistical distributions. The positive correlation of the PM concentration series between five distances increased with the increase of applied voltage. This study can provide a reference basis for further refining the PM purification theory system under the sink effect.

Factors affecting the levels and pathways of atmospheric brominated flame retardant uptake by humans in different weather conditions

The health risks posed by atmospheric brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been widely studied, but there remains a lack of clarity about exposure differences between clear days and haze days. We sampled the total suspended particle (TSP) and gaseous BFRs on clear days in summer, clear days in winter, and haze days in winter in Harbin, China, to investigate the variations in the concentrations and intakes (dermal and inhalation) in the different weather conditions. The concentrations of atmospheric BFRs were highest on haze days in winter (185 pg/m3), followed by clear days in summer (158 pg/m3), and clear days in winter (79.2 pg/m3), and these concentrations were significantly correlated with the concentrations of TSP. The human intake in the different weather conditions followed the pattern of the BFR concentrations, and the human intake of atmospheric BFRs was dominated by inhalation. A comparison of the BFR levels showed that the human intake of gaseous and particulate BFRs varied in the three weather conditions and that the inhalation intake, but not the dermal intake, was influenced under high concentrations of gaseous BFRs with low molecular weight.

The study on influencing factors of airflow in laboratory fume hood

This study investigates the influence of the side wind flowing directly from different indoor environments on the airflow of the laboratory fume hood (LFH). When an LFH is used to discharge the harmful from the laboratory, the side wind can affect the airflow of the LFH, which is likely to cause the leakage of harmful fumes. In this study, incense was used to simulate harmful fumes, sampling and analysis of the total suspended particulate concentrations were performed in an LFH under different side wind conditions with or without air conditioning, operator, laboratory door open, and electric fan when the fume hood sash (FHS) is at the top, middle, and bottom positions, respectively. A laser pen and hot-wire anemometer are employed to demonstrate the airflow of the smoke and wind speed in different indoor environmental conditions. The experimental results reveal that the airflow field and distribution of harmful fumes in the LFH can be changed according to the different heights of the FHS and changes in the external airflow. Therefore, when using the LFH, the influence of the external airflow should be reduced, and the LFH should be operated for a few minutes before switching it off.

Longitudinal Study on the Association between Ambient Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nasal Symptoms in Adult Japanese

The relationship between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nasal symptoms currently remains unclear. Therefore, we herein examine this relationship in 51 adults living in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, and conducted a 2 month follow-up survey on these participants. All participants were asked to record daily nasal symptoms in an allergy diary during the study period between 1 April to 31 May 2020. We collected air pollutant samples during the study period and determined the concentrations of PAHs and total suspended particulates by high-performance liquid chromatography. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide concentrations were obtained through the Atmospheric Environmental Regional Observation System. We used generalized estimating equations to analyze the association between pollutant and nasal symptoms. After adjustment for confounding factors, the B values of fluoranthene, pyrene, and Benzo[k]fluoranthene were 2.389 (p = 0.026), 3.744 (p = 0.022) and 9.604 (p = 0.041), respectively, with a one-day lag. In contrast, the B value of indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene was −6.664 (p = 0.013) with no lag. Collectively, these results suggest ambient PAHs such as Flt, Pyr, and BkF were associated with nasal symptoms in adults. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms contributing to the relationships between specific PAHs and nasal symptoms.

Assessment the impact of different fuels used in cement industry on pollutant emissions and ambient air quality: a case study in Egypt

This study aims to assess the impact of using different fuels in Egyptian Titan Alexandria Portland Cement Company on emissions and concentrations of pollutants (Total suspended particles (TSP), nitrogen dioxide (NO2‎), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)) and their influence on ambient air quality during the period 2014–2020 using AERMOD dispersion model. The results showed that changing the fuel from natural gas in 2014 to coal mixed with alternative fuels (Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF), Dried Sewage Sludge (DSS), and Refuse Derived Fuels (RDF)) in 2015–2020 caused fluctuating variations in pollutant emissions and concentrations. The highest and lowest maximum concentrations of TSP occurred in 2017 and 2014 respectively, where the TSP is positively correlated with coal, RDF, and DSS and negatively correlated with natural gas, diesel, and TDF. Also, the lowest and highest maximum NO2 concentrations were detected in 2020 and 2016 followed by 2017 respectively, where NO2 is positively correlated with DSS and negatively correlated with TDF and varies with diesel, coal, and RDF. Moreover, the maximum concentrations of SO2 were the lowest in 2018 and highest in 2016 followed by 2017 because of its considerable positive correlation with natural gas and DSS and negative correlation with RDF, TDF, and coal. Generally, it was found that increasing the percentage of TDF and RDF with decreasing the percentage of DSS, diesel, and coal will reduce pollutant emissions and concentrations and enhance ambient air quality.

Carbonaceous aerosol transport from the Indo-Gangetic Plain to the Himalayas: Carbon isotope evidence and light absorption characteristics

The Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) is a major regional and global emitter of atmospheric pollutants, which adversely affect surrounding areas such as the Himalayas. We present a comprehensive dataset on carbonaceous aerosol (CA) composition, radiocarbon (Δ14C) -based source apportionment, and light absorption of total suspended particle (TSP) samples collected over a 3-year period from high-altitude Jomsom in the central Himalayas. The 3-year mean TSP, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations were 92.0 ± 28.6, 9.74 ± 6.31, and 2.02 ± 1.35 μg m−3, respectively, with the highest concentrations observed during the pre-monsoon season, followed by the post-monsoon, winter, and monsoon seasons. The Δ14C analysis revealed that the contribution of fossil fuel combustion (ffossil) to EC was 47.9% ± 11.5%, which is consistent with observations in urban and remote regions in South Asia and attests that EC likely arrives in Jomsom from upwind IGP sources via long-range transport. In addition, the lowest ffossil (38.7% ± 13.3%) was observed in winter, indicating large contributions in this season from local biomass burning. The mass absorption cross-section of EC (MACEC: 8.27 ± 1.76 m2/g) and water-soluble organic carbon (MACWSOC: 0.98 ± 0.45 m2/g) were slightly higher and lower than those reported in urban regions, respectively, indicating that CA undergo an aging process. Organic aerosol coating during transport and variation of biomass burning probably led to the seasonal variation in MAC of two components. Overall, WSOC contributed considerably to the light absorption (11.1% ± 4.23%) of EC. The findings suggest that to protect glaciers of the Himalayas from pollution-related melting, it is essential to mitigate emissions from the IGP.

Seasonal Variations in Concentrations and Chemical Compositions of TSP near a Bulk Material Storage Site for a Steel Plant

The concentrations of total suspended particles (TSPs) on four buildings near a steel plant’s bulk material storage site for iron ore, coal, limestone, and sinter were evaluated for summer and winter, where the concentrations were 58 (17–55) μg m−3 and 125 (108–155) μg m−3, respectively. A multivariate regression analysis of meteorological parameters with TSP concentrations indicates that temperature, wind speed, and frequency of rainfall are potential predictors of TSP concentrations, where the respective p values for the model are p = 0.005, p = 0.049, and p = 0.046. The strong correlation between usual co-pollutants, CO, NO2, and NOX with TSP concentrations, as indicated by the Pearson correlation values of 0.87, 0.86, and 0.77, respectively, implies substantial pollution from mobile sources. The weak correlation of SO2 with TSP concentrations rules out a significant pollution contribution from power plants. The speciation of TSPs in winter showed the percentage proportions of water-soluble ions, metal elements, and carbon content in winter as 60%, 15%, and 25%, while in summer, they were 68%, 14%, and 18%, respectively. Water-soluble ions were the most significant composition for both seasons, where the predominant species in summer and winter are SO42− and NO3−, respectively. In the TSP metal elements profile, the proportion of natural origin ones exceeded those from anthropogenic sources. The health risk assessment indicates a significant cancer risk posed by chromium, while that posed by other metal elements including Co, Ni, As, and Pb are insignificant. Additionally, all metal elements’ chronic daily occupational exposure levels were below the reference doses except for Cu and Zn. Insights from this investigation can inform decisions on the design of the TSP-capturing mechanism. Specifically, water sprays to capture the water-soluble portion would substantially reduce the amplified concentrations of TSPs, especially in winter.

PAH atmospheric log(KP) values in Great Lakes samples are related to black carbon levels near each site

Many semi-volatile organic pollutants are present in the atmosphere both in the vapor and particle phases. About 50 years ago, a partition coefficient (KP) was defined as the compound's concentration in the particle phase (Cpart, in ng/m3 or pg/m3) divided by its concentration in the vapor phase (Cvapor, also in ng/m3 or pg/m3) divided by the atmospheric concentration of total suspended particles (TSP, in μg/m3) or, more recently, by the concentration of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5, also in μg/m3). The original point of this term was to account for surface adsorption of pollutants to the particles, but over the years it has become apparent that absorption, particularly to black carbon (BC, also known as elemental carbon) in the particles, may also be important. This study investigates the importance of this particle term using about 3000 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations measured from 1997 to 2018 (inclusive) in 24-h samples collected once every 12 days at five sites on the shores of the North American Great Lakes and using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency PM2.5 concentrations at the same sites. Analyses of variance of the annual mean log(KP) values show significant differences for all six compounds among the five sites, which we attribute to the composition of the particles at the five sites. For example, the particles from the urban sites are likely to have higher black carbon levels compared to those from the more rural and remote sites. With an additional term for black carbon in these samples, these new ratios are similar across sites for a given compound. These results suggest that a black carbon term is useful and potentially important.

Graduation Towers Impact on the Concentration and Chemical Composition of Ambient Aerosol: A Case Study from Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of graduation towers on the aerosol concentration and its composition not only in the vicinity of the graduation tower itself, but also at a distance from it, on the example of the brine graduation tower in the Wieliczka Salt Mine health resort. Two measurement sites were selected for the research, one located inside the graduation tower and the other at the guard booth—at a considerable distance from the graduation tower. Total suspended particulate (TSP) and PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter that does not exceed 10 µm) samples were taken simultaneously using the aspiration method. The collected samples were subjected to analyses of TSP and PM10 concentrations, the content of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and selected ions. It was confirmed that the composition of the aerosol in the Wieliczka Salt Mine significantly differs from the typical aerosol composition in inland locations and is similar to the aerosol composition in coastal zones. The comparison of the aerosol composition at both measuring sites clearly indicates a very favorable influence of the brine graduation tower on the composition of the atmospheric aerosol, even at a certain distance from it.

The removal of atmospheric aerosols in a heavy industrial coastal city in China with frequent rainfall

Rapid urbanization and heavy industrialization generally result in serious aerosol pollution. Contrary to this conventional wisdom, Zhanjiang, one industrial city in the southernmost point of the Chinese mainland, is not accompanied by aerosol pollution and its air quality index always ranks high compared to other cities in China. To investigate this contradiction, 72-hour total suspended particles (TSPs) and water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs; including Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Na+, NH4+, Cl-, NO3-, and SO42-) were collected in Zhanjiang, China, from November 2018 to November 2019. The relative humidity (RH) was higher than 80% throughout the whole year in Zhanjiang. However, the TSPs and WSIIs were not correlated with RH, indicating that RH can increase the particle size, but this had a minor impact on the dry deposition rate. The larger particles induced by RH were easily captured by wet precipitation, leading to a seasonal pattern with higher TSP and WSII mass concentrations during the dry and cool season and lower values during the hot and rainy season. This seasonal pattern and high aerosol acidity indicate that TSPs, WSIIs, and acidic gaseous precursors from the local sources were preferentially scavenged by the abundant rainfall and high precipitation frequency. Principal component analysis (PCA) results suggest that relatively clean marine emissions and secondary aerosols were the most important sources of TSPs and WSIIs. Our results indicate that the inconsistency between the heavy industrial activities and excellent air quality in Zhanjiang may be related to the high precipitation frequency (63%) and the marine dilution effect (27%).

Assessment and mapping of total suspended particulate and soil quality around brick kilns and occupational health issues among brick kilns workers in Pakistan.

Brick kilns constitute one of the major sources of environmental degradation in Pakistan. The present study was conducted to determine the soil quality and total suspended particulates (TSPs) around the brick kilns and assess the health effects on brick kiln workers. Four brick kilns were selected, two each at Sheikhupura and Pattoki city. The soil quality was assessed by analyzing pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium content, and heavy metal concentration while TSPs were measured by hand-held Microdust Pro Real time monitor. Average TSP concentration around brick kilns at Sheikhupura and Pattoki ranged between 1100 and 1200µg/m3 and between 550 and 600µg/m3 respectively which exceeded the Punjab Ambient Air Standards. The soil was slightly acidic (Sheikhupura: average pH = 6.41; Pattoki: average pH = 6.6) while all other analyzed parameters, except heavy metals, were lower than the required FAO Standards for good quality agriculture soil. Heavy metal accumulation in soil samples followed the general order zinc (Zn) > chromium (Cr) > nickel (Ni) > manganese (Mn) > cadmium (Cd) > copper (Cu). For assessment of occupational health and safety issues, all 440 brick kiln workers from the study areas were interviewed. Mostly, brick kiln workers suffered from chronic back pain (84%), skin issues (80.5%), dry cough (72.9%), common cold (46.1%), and shortness of breath (17.1%). The vulnerability risk varied with the nature of the work as workers engaged in brick baking were more vulnerable to respiratory issues than were those in molding task. The study concludes that brick kilns are a source of increased TSP, deteriorated surrounding soil quality, and impaired worker health. It is necessary to regulate these activities and implement requisite health and safety measures.

Health Exposure Assessment of Firefighters Caused by PAHs in PM4 and TSP after Firefighting Operations

Among the many different chemicals in the air, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose a serious threat to human health. Firefighters are exposed to them both during fire suppression and in fire vehicles and fire stations due to inhalation of the fumes from contaminated clothing and personal protective equipment. This study aimed to estimate the exposure and cancer risk caused by suspended particulate matter and PAHs present in these particles. Air samples were collected for 4 months in a garage of the fire station in a small town, located in an urban–rural area. PAH concentrations were measured using the gas chromatography method with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concentration of PM4 (particulate matter with a diameter below 4µm) and TSP (total suspended particulate) in the fire station garage was 7 and 9 times higher than outside, respectively. The calculated values of health hazard risks associated with the exposure to PAHs in PM4 and TSP are: a toxic equivalent (TEQ) up to 10.36 and 23.3, incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) up to 3.45 and 4.65 and hazard quotient (HQ) up to 0.42 and 0.57, respectively. A significantly increased risk of cancers in the professional group of firefighters was found.

Chemical Characteristics of Water-Soluble Inorganic Ions in Different Types of Asian Dust in Wajima, a Background Site in Japan

Two Asian dust (AD) events were observed in March 2021 (AD1: 16 March 2021 00:00 UTC~17 March 2021 12:00 UTC and AD2: 28 March 2021 00:00 UTC~31 March 2021 12:00 UTC). To determine the chemical characteristics of water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) in different types of Asian dust, the total suspended particulates (TSP) were collected at Kanazawa University Wajima Air Monitoring Station (KUWAMS), a background site in Japan from 27 February to 4 March, 2021. Based on the lidar observations and the backwards trajectory analysis results, AD events were divided into two types: ADN (aerosols were mainly mineral dust) and ADP (aerosols were mixtures of spherical particles). During ADs, the concentrations of the TSP and WSII increased, with the highest TSP concentration in ADN (38.6 μg/m3) and the highest WSII concentration in ADP (5.82 μg/m3). The increase in (cations)/(anions) during AD indicates that the input of AD aerosol buffered the aerosol acidity. Additionally, a significant increase in Cl depletion, along with ADN events, was found (Cl depletion = 73.8%). To comprehensively analyse the different types of ADs on WSIIs, we refer to the previous data from 2010 to 2015 at KUWAMS. As a result, the increased Cl depletion was caused by the heterogeneous reaction of HNO3 with sea salt when the air mass passed over the Japanese Sea. Additionally, the chemical form of SO42− was highly dependent on the source and pathway, while SO42− mainly came from natural soil dust in ADN and from anthropogenic emissions in ADP. The enhancement of secondary NO3− was observed in AD via the heterogeneous hydrolysis of N2O5.