High-volume Air Sampler Research Articles

Temporal and spatial distribution of novel brominated flame retardants in atmosphere of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

The occurrence and spatio-temporal distribution of atmospheric novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were studied across five sampling sites in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region over a whole year. By collecting samples (gas and particle) with a high-volume active air sampler (HV-AAS), nine NBFRs were analyzed and the sum concentrations ranged from 1.65 to 344 pg/m3, with the highest value found in the urban sampling site in Shijiazhuang City. Decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) was the predominant congener, which accounted for 60% of ∑9NBFRs on average, while it was 90% of ∑9NBFRs in the rural site and significantly higher than those observed in the urban sites (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). The levels of particle-bound NBFRs were significantly correlated with the variation of total suspended particulates (TSP) and temperature (p < 0.01), indicating their evident impact on the spatio-temporal distribution of NBFRs. Moreover, a significantly positive correlation was observed between the concentrations of 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) and bis (2-ethyl-1-hexyl) tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TEBP) (p < 0.01). Monocyclic brominated flame retardants (including PBBz, PBT, PBEB, HBB and TBP-DBPE) were correlated with each other (p < 0.01) in both gas and particle phase, suggesting their co-occurrence and the similar source in the environment. The gas-particle partitioning behavior was well predicted by the Li-Jia Empirical Model, and the results indicated that the target NBFRs did not reach the equilibrium state in air. This is one of very few studies revealed the spatio-temporal distribution of atmospheric NBFRs in the BTH region.

PM10-bound trace elements in pan-European urban atmosphere

Although many studies have discussed the impact of Europe's air quality, very limited research focused on the detailed phenomenology of ambient trace elements (TEs) in PM10 in urban atmosphere. This study compiled long-term (2013–2022) measurements of speciation of ambient urban PM10 from 55 sites of 7 countries (Switzerland, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, UK), aiming to elucidate the phenomenology of 20 TEs in PM10 in urban Europe. The monitoring sites comprised urban background (UB, n = 26), traffic (TR, n = 10), industrial (IN, n = 5), suburban background (SUB, n = 7), and rural background (RB, n = 7) types. The sampling campaigns were conducted using standardized protocols to ensure data comparability. In each country, PM10 samples were collected over a fixed period using high-volume air samplers. The analysis encompassed the spatio-temporal distribution of TEs, and relationships between TEs at each site. Results indicated an annual average for the sum of 20 TEs of 90 ± 65 ng/m3, with TR and IN sites exhibiting the highest concentrations (130 ± 66 and 131 ± 80 ng/m3, respectively). Seasonal variability in TEs concentrations, influenced by emission sources and meteorology, revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) across all monitoring sites. Estimation of TE concentrations highlighted distinct ratios between non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic metals, with Zn (40 ± 49 ng/m3), Ti (21 ± 29 ng/m3), and Cu (23 ± 35 ng/m3) dominating non-carcinogenic TEs, while Cr (5 ± 7 ng/m3), and Ni (2 ± 6 ng/m3) were prominent among carcinogenic ones. Correlations between TEs across diverse locations and seasons varied, in agreement with differences in emission sources and meteorological conditions. This study provides valuable insights into TEs in pan-European urban atmosphere, contributing to a comprehensive dataset for future environmental protection policies.

Diversity Analysis of Fungi Distributed in Inhalable and Respirable Size Fractions of Aerosols: A Report from Kuwait

Fungi are an important part of the atmospheric ecosystem yet an underexplored group. Airborne pathogenic fungi are the root cause of hypersensitive and allergenic states highly prevalent in Kuwait. Frequent dust storms in the region carry them further into the urban areas, posing an occupational health hazard. The fungal population associated with the respirable (more than 2.5 µm) and inhalable (2.5 µm and less) fractions of aerosols is negligibly explored and warrants comprehensive profiling to pinpoint tAhe health implications. For the present investigation, aerosol was collected using a high-volume air sampler coupled with a six-stage cascade impactor (Tisch Environmental, Inc) at a rate of 566 L min−1. The samples were lysed, DNA was extracted, and the internal transcribed regions were sequenced through targeted amplicon sequencing. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Gleotinia and Cryptococcus were recorded in all the size fractions with mean relative abundances (RA%) of 17.5%, 12.9%, 12.9%, 4.85%, 4.08%, 2.77%, and 2.51%, respectively. A weak community structure was associated with each size fraction (ANOSIM r2 = 0.11; p &gt; 0.05). The Shannon and Simpson indices also varied among the respirable and inhalable aerosols. About 24 genera were significantly differentially abundant, as described through the Wilcoxon rank sum test (p &lt; 0.05). The fungal microbiome existed as a complex lattice of networks exhibiting both positive and negative correlations and were involved in 428 functions. All the predominant genera were pathogenic, hence, their presence in inhalable fractions raises concerns and poses an occupational exposure risk to both human and non-human biota. Moreover, long-range transport of these fungi to urban locations is undesirable yet plausible.

Occurrence and distribution of pesticides and transformation products in ambient air in two European agricultural areas

Pesticides present a significant risk for both humans and the environment. However, quantitative data for a broad range of airborne pesticides in agricultural areas are missing. During or after the application, pesticides can reach the atmosphere and partition between the particulate and gaseous phase. As part of the EU project SPRINT, weekly ambient air samples were collected from two agricultural areas in Portugal (vineyard) and the Netherlands (potatoes, onions, and sugarbeet) between April 2021 and June 2022 using high-volume air samplers. The samples were analysed for 329 pesticides, of which 99 were detected. The most frequently detected compounds included the fungicides folpet, fenpropidin and mandipropamid, the insecticide chlorpyrifos-methyl, the herbicide terbuthylazine, and the metabolite prothioconazole-desthio, which were found with detection frequencies between 40 and 57 %. Pesticide concentrations ranged between 0.003 ng/m3 and 10 ng/m3. Remarkably, 97 % of the samples contained at least one pesticide and in 95 % of the samples, pesticide mixtures were present. The calculated particle phase fractions correlated with the octanol-air partitioning coefficient for most of the investigated compounds. Furthermore, calculated daily inhalation rates for individual pesticides and pesticide mixtures were far below the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) with a margin of exposure (MOE) of >1000 for the highest calculated daily inhalation rate for a child. However, as this value only includes pesticide intake from food and drinking water and considering that 91 % of the detected pesticides are associated with potential adverse human health effects. These findings highlight the broad range of airborne pesticides in agricultural areas and the need for quantitative data to include the intake of mixtures of highly hazardous pesticides by inhalation in human risk assessment.

Review on Sampling Methods and Health Impacts of Fine (PM2.5, ≤2.5 µm) and Ultrafine (UFP, PM0.1, ≤0.1 µm) Particles

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is of great concern in the modern-day atmosphere owing to its association with a variety of health impacts, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Of the various size fractions of PM, it is the finer fractions that are most harmful to health, in particular ultrafine particles (PM0.1; UFPs), with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 100 nm. The smaller size fractions, of ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5; fine particles) and ≤0.1 µm (PM0.1; ultrafine particles), have been shown to have numerous linkages to negative health effects; however, their collection/sampling remains challenging. This review paper employed a comprehensive literature review methodology; 200 studies were evaluated based on the rigor of their methodologies, including the validity of experimental designs, data collection methods, and statistical analyses. Studies with robust methodologies were prioritised for inclusion. This review paper critically assesses the health risks associated with fine and ultrafine particles, highlighting vehicular emissions as the most significant source of particulate-related health effects. While coal combustion, diesel exhaust, household wood combustors’ emissions, and Earth’s crust dust also pose health risks, evidence suggests that exposure to particulates from vehicular emissions has the greatest impact on human health due to their widespread distribution and contribution to air pollution-related diseases. This article comprehensively examines current sampling technologies, specifically focusing on the collection and sampling of ultrafine particles (UFP) from ambient air to facilitate toxicological and physiochemical characterisation efforts. This article discusses diverse approaches to collect fine and ultrafine particulates, along with experimental endeavours to assess ultrafine particle concentrations across various microenvironments. Following meticulous evaluation of sampling techniques, high-volume air samplers such as the Chem Vol Model 2400 High Volume Cascade Impactor and low-volume samplers like the Personal Cascade Impactor Sampler (PCIS) emerge as effective methods. These techniques offer advantages in particle size fractionation, collection efficiency, and adaptability to different sampling environments, positioning them as valuable tools for precise characterisation of particulate matter in air quality research and environmental monitoring.

Correlating Gas/Particle-Phase Concentration of Indicator Polychlorinated Biphenyls with Meteorological Factors in Bayburt, an Important University City of Turkey

This study was carried out in two seasons in Bayburt University Baberti Campus (BUBC) in Bayburt city, which is an important university city in Turkey. Gas and particle phase atmospheric concentrations of Urban atmospheric Indicator Polychlorinated Biphenyls (i-PCBs: PCB#28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were determined at first. Then, by using different methods, the interactions between i-PCB concentrations and meteorological factors were investigated. Gas and particle phases of atmospheric i-PCB samples were collected using a high-volume air sampler (HVAS) in BUBC . Following this stage, the samples were analyzed in a gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS) by passing through appropriate extraction steps. According to the data obtained, the average gas phase ∑i-PCB concentration for the summer month was determined to be 11.314 pg/m3 during the sampling period while the average particle phase ∑i-PCB concentration was found to be 2.145 pg/m3. The average gas phase ∑i-PCB concentration was found to be 4.582 pg/m3 for the winter period while it was found to be 1.756 pg/m3 for the average particle phase ∑i-PCB concentration. In addition, the average total concentrations of i-PCBs were calculated to be 19.797 pg/m3. It was determined that meteorological factors especially temperature (from the Clausius–Clapeyron equation), wind velocity and direction, and rainfall have significant impacts on i-PCB concentration and its distribution. In light of these data, i-PCB concentrations determined in the gas phase were found to be higher than those in the particle phase. In addition, concentration rates determined in summer months were calculated to be higher compared to those calculated for winter months.

Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP)-Bound Carbonaceous Components in a Roadside Area in Eastern Indonesia

To evaluate carbonaceous components in the ambient air in the eastern region of Indonesia, 35 Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP) samples were collected on four characteristic roadsides on Sultan Alauddin Street, in Makassar City, using a high-volume air sampler. The average TSP concentration was 279.7 μg/m3, which exceeded both the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of Indonesia and the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The highest concentration reached 838.6 μg/m3 in the GR (gravel) site, which had the highest number of vehicles and was near a U-turn. TSP concentration was higher during peak hours (morning and late afternoon) than off-peak hours (noon). The main component of the total carbon (TC) fraction was organic carbon (OC), which showed a strong correlation with elemental carbon (EC) (r values for the morning, noon, and late afternoon were 0.89, 0.87, and 0.97, respectively), indicating that the carbon components were derived from common sources. TSP had a strong correlation with carbon components, except for char-EC. OC vs. soot-EC and EC vs. soot-EC also correlated well, suggesting the dominant influence of vehicle exhaust emissions. Non-exhaust emissions had a slight influence during peak hours, particularly at the GR site.

Development of an analytical method for the determination of more than 300 pesticides and metabolites in the particulate and gaseous phase of ambient air

Pesticides can enter the atmosphere during spraying or after application, resulting in environmental or human exposure. The study describes the optimisation and validation of analytical methods for the determination of more than 300 pesticides in the particulate and gaseous phases of the air. Pesticides were sampled with high-volume air samplers on glass-fibre filters (GFFs) and glass columns filled with polyurethane foam (PUF) and XAD-2 resin. Comparing different extraction methods, a QuEChERS extraction with acetonitrile was selected for the GFFs. For the PUF/XAD-2 columns, a cold-column extraction with dichloromethane was used. Instrumental determination was performed using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-QTOF) and gas chromatography/electron impact ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS/MS). Recovery experiments showed recovery rates between 70 and 120% for 263 compounds on the GFFs and 75 compounds on the PUF/XAD-2 columns. Semi-quantitative determination was performed for 39 compounds on the GFFs and 110 compounds on the PUF/XAD-2 columns. Finally, 27 compounds on the GFFs and 138 compounds on the PUF/XAD-2 columns could be determined only qualitatively. For the determination of the PUF/XAD-2 samples, signal suppression (LC) or signal enhancement (GC) due to matrix effects were determined. Method quantification limits of the optimised methods ranged from 30 to 240 pg/m3 for the target compounds on the GFFs, and from 8 to 60 pg/m3 on the PUF/XAD-2 columns. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by means of environmental air samples from an agricultural area in the Netherlands.

Surfactants and Microbial Aerosol of Urban Particulate Matter (PM10) in Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Surfactants in the atmosphere potentially influence the global climate and may affect human health. This study aims to determine the compositions of surfactants extracted from urban particulate matter (PM10) and motor vehicle exhaust soot. In addition, microbial aerosol was also determined. A high-volume air sampler (HVAS) has been used to collect PM10 samples in Kuala Lumpur urban area. Meanwhile, the vehicle exhaust soot was collected randomly from the exhaust pipes of various types of diesel and petrol vehicles, using a soft brush during dry days. The concentration of anionic surfactants as Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) was determined by the colorimetric method using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. The presence of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi were investigated by colony count. In addition, the correlation between surfactants and traffic-related air pollutants has also been investigated. Results revealed that the average concentration of MBAS in particulate matter is 107.68 ± 7.91 µgm-3. Diesel vehicles demonstrated higher surfactant concentration in exhaust particulate matter with an average value of 0.227 ± 0.006 µmolg-1 compared to petrol vehicles (0.146 ± 0.003 µmolg-1). Based on this study, various mitigation procedures can be implemented to reduce the impacts of PM and exhaust soot for a better future.

Performance evaluation of four sampling techniques and source apportionment for the atmospheric deposition fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are primarily emitted into the atmosphere through anthropogenic activities and can be transported to receptor sites at varying distances. In this study, the atmospheric PAH deposition was investigated using a dry deposition plate (DDP) with Mylar, a dry deposition disk (DDD) with Velcro, a resin bulk deposition sampler (Resin-BDS), and a water bulk deposition sampler (Water-BDS) in Ulsan, South Korea, during May–October 2013. Additionally, ambient PAH concentrations were monitored using high-volume air samplers. The mean deposition fluxes of Σ13 PAHs were 8.62 ± 1.44, 36.9 ± 6.81, 56.9 ± 9.74, and 63.8 ± 8.04 μg/m2/d for the DDP, DDD, Resin-BDS, and Water-BDS, respectively. The DDD was more effective than the DDP because it could collect high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs from dry deposition, which are more toxic than low molecular weight PAHs. The Water-BDS had the highest fluxes of Σ13 PAHs; however, the Resin-BDS may be more suitable for collecting HMW PAHs from both dry and wet deposition due to relatively constant values for the deposition velocity of PAHs. Furthermore, the PAH fluxes in the Resin-BDS samples were significantly positively correlated with the gaseous and total (gaseous + particulate) concentrations of ambient PAHs. Hence, the fluxes obtained by the Resin-BDS were further used to apply principal component analysis, multiple linear regression, and backward air trajectory simultaneously to identify the emission sources of the deposited PAHs. The results indicate that the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass was the major source. In particular, the industrial complexes using petroleum and coal on the city's east coast and vehicular exhausts were the main local sources. Meanwhile, long-range sources may be forest fires, harbors, and industrial activities in nearby countries. Our study suggests that BDS, considering both dry and wet deposition, can be selectively used for research on PAH deposition.

Heavy metal air pollution in an Indonesian landfill site: Characterization, sources, and health risk assessment for informal workers

A landfill is an area for disposing of final-stage waste, from source to transportation and disposal. This study assesses characterization, sources, and health risks assessment exposure to heavy metals (HMs) in ambient air and personal sampler via inhalation by informal workers in the Piyungan landfill site area. The sample was carried out using a high-volume air sampler (HAVS) and a personal dust sampler that measures HMs and analyzes them using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The interviews were conducted with the informal workers, with 45 respondents with health complaints. The analysis found a high concentration of HMs and exceeded the concentration limits set by the threshold limit values (TLV) in ambient air and personal sampler. The average concentrations of the elements (mg/m3) in ambient air PM2.5 are shown Fe 54.2, Cu 5.91, Mn 3.02, Zn 1.33, As 0.108, Pb 0.102, Co 0.027, Cd 0.004, and Se 0.0037 and in the personal sampler are shown Fe 480.90, Cu 8.42, Mn 12.26, Zn 12.76, As 0.24, Pb 1.45, Co 0.12, Cd 0.06, and Se 0.02. The Hazard Index (HI) values for the target metals, which indicate non-carcinogenic risk, were found to exceed the stated safety in PM2.5 had an HI value of 6.2 and the personal sampler showed HI values of 25. Analysis of carcinogenic risk of HMs As, Cd, Pb showed that there were high-risk levels of cancer-causing HMs in PM2.5 and in a personal sampler with a risk level ranging from (10−3 ≤ CR <10−1). The primary sources of HMs from are the vehicle emissions of operation landfills and waste components in landfills are electronic, construction, industrial, market, and domestic waste. These findings show that exposure to HMs can impact informal workers' non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks in landfills and need control risk management to protect workplace occupational health effectively.

Characterization of PAHs bound to ambient ultrafine particles around runways at an international airport

The impact of airport activities on air quality, is not sufficiently documented. In order to better understand the magnitude and properly assess the sources of emissions in the sector, it is necessary to establish databases with real data on those pollutants that could have the greatest impact on both health and the environment.Particulate matter (PM), especially ultrafine particles, are a research priority, not only because of its physical properties, but also because of its ability to bind highly toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).Samples of PM were collected in the ambient air around the runways at Barajas International Airport (Madrid, Spain) during October, November and December 2021. Samples were gathered using three different sampling systems and analysed to determine the concentration of PAHs bound to PM. A high-volume air sampler, a Berner low-pressure impactor, and an automated off-line sampler developed in-house were used. The agreement between the samplers was statistically verified from the PM and PAH results.The highest concentration of PM measured was 31 μg m−3, while the concentration of total PAH was 3 ng m−3, both comparable to those recorded in a semi-urban area of Madrid.The PAHs showed a similar profile to the particle size distribution, with a maximum in the 0.27–0.54 μm size range, being preferentially found in the submicron size fractions, with more than 84% and around 15–20% associated to UFPs.It was found that the ratio [PAHs(m)/PM(m)] was around 10–4 in the warmer period (October), whereas it more than doubled in the colder months (November–December). It is significant the shift in the relative distribution of compounds within these two periods, with a notable increase in the 5 and 6 ring proportions in the colder period. This increase was probably due to the additional contribution of other external sources, possibly thermal and related to combustion processes, as supported by the PAH diagnostic ratios.

The distribution characteristics of aerosol bacteria in different types of sheepfolds.

With the development of modern sheep raising technology, the increasing density of animals in sheep house leads to the accumulation of microbial aerosols in sheep house. It is an important prerequisite to grasp the characteristics of bacteria in aerosols in sheep house to solve the problems of air pollution and disease prevention and control in sheep house. In this study, the microorganisms present in the air of sheep houses were investigated to gain insights into the structure of bacterial communities and the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria. Samples from six sheep pens in each of three sheep farms, totaling 18, were collected in August 2022 from Ningxia province, China. A high-volume air sampler was utilized for aerosol collection within the sheep housing followed by DNA extraction for 16S rRNA sequencing. Employing high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing technology, we conducted an in-depth analysis of microbial populations in various sheep pen air samples, enabling us to assess the community composition and diversity. The results revealed a total of 11,207 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) within the bacterial population across the air samples, encompassing 152 phyla, 298 classes, 517 orders, 853 families, 910 genera, and 482 species. Alpha diversity and beta diversity analysis indicated that differences in species diversity, evenness and coverage between different samples. At the bacterial phylum level, the dominant bacterial groups are Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, among which Firmicutes (97.90-98.43%) is the highest. At the bacterial genus level, bacillus, Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, etc. had higher abundance, with Bacillus (85.47-89.87%) being the highest. Through an in-depth analysis of microbial diversity and a meticulous examination of pathogenic bacteria with high abundance in diverse sheep house air samples, the study provided valuable insights into the microbial diversity, abundance, and distinctive features of prevalent pathogenic bacteria in sheep house air. These findings serve as a foundation for guiding effective disease prevention and control strategies within sheep farming environments.

Occurrence and characteristic of microplastics in suspended particulate, a case study in street of Yogyakarta

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as emerging pollutants affecting the hydrosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere. One of the primary suspected sources of MPs is road dust in urban areas, with the majority originating from transportation, such as vehicle tires and road marking paint. MPs with a size of less than 5 mm can be ingested by humans from the air, and their potential effects remain largely undiscovered. There is still limited research on MPs in the air, particularly in Yogyakarta, one of the major cities in Indonesia. This study approach MPs as suspended particulates and, as such, employed a High Volume Air Sampler (HVAS) to collect air samples for Total Suspended Particulates TSP, PM2,5 and PM10 in four locations with high human activity and traffic volumes in Yogyakarta. A digital microscope was used to identify the number, shapes, and colors of the MPs. The results revealed 4576 particles of MPs in all the samples, with East Ringroad having twice the number of MPs compared to West Ringroad. The order of occurrence in terms of shapes was as follows: fragments (39%), films (37%), and fibers (25%). In terms of color, black was the dominant color of MPs, followed by brown and transparent. These results suggest a significant presence of black, fragmented-shaped MPs, which could indicate that most MPs in the ambient air near Yogyakarta’s roads originate from vehicle activity, consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, the high number of colored fibers and films may indicate packaging and fabric degradation in the surrounding area.

A Study on the Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in the Atmosphere Using Spectroscopic Analysis

In this study, microplastics in atmospheric fine dust were isolated based on size and subsequently identified using μ-Raman. First, fine dust was collected using a high-volume air sampler with a stainless-steel (STS) filter; the STS filter, made of stainless steel of 1 μm pore size, was used in place of a traditional quartz filter. Particles collected by the filter were separated by gravity, followed by oxidation of the organic matter. The pretreated samples were refiltered using a silicon filter, followed by the identification of microplastics using μ-Raman. The collected air samples had 2.5 ± 2.0 (0.6-7.6) MPs/m3. The most detected material was polyethylene (64%), followed by nylon (20%), polyethylene terephthalate (5%), polystyrene (5%), and polypropylene (2%). The average size of the detected microplastics was 13.1 ± 9.0 (1.7-107.4) μm. The cumulative percentages show that particles 30 μm and smaller account for 96% of the total, 20 μm and smaller for 82%, and 10 μm and smaller for 46%. It was observed that microplastic abundance (MPs/m³) by date was not significantly correlated with precipitation or PM10.

Standoff trace explosives vapor detection at meter distances

Vapor detection is a noncontact sampling method, which is a less invasive means of explosives screening than physical swiping. Explosive vapor detection is a challenge due to the low levels of vapors available for detection. This study demonstrates that the parts-per-quadrillion sensitivity of atmospheric flow tube-mass spectrometry (AFT-MS) combined with a high-volume air sampler enables standoff detection of trace explosives vapor at distances of centimeters to meters. Standoff detection of explosives vapor was possible both upstream and downstream of the vapor source relative to room air currents. RDX vapor from a saturated source was detected at up to 2.5 m. Vapors from RDX residue and nitroglycerin residue were detected at distances up to 0.5 m. The sampling can be optimized by accounting for air movement in the room or environment, which could further extend standoff detection distances. Using AFT-MS with a high-volume sampler could also be effective for standoff vapor detection of drugs and additional chemical threats and could be useful for security screening applications such as at mail facilities, border crossings, and security checkpoints.

Analyzing Total Suspended Particulate at AP Pettarani Street in Makassar City

AP Pettarani Street is one of the main roads that is the center of activity in urban areas in Makassar City. The area on this road segment is almost entirely commercial and office area. This causes high motor vehicle traffic activity and frequent traffic jams. This activity can lead to decreased air quality as well as human health problems. One of the air pollutants is Total Suspended Particulate (TSP). This study was conducted to determine the concentration of TSP in ambient air and complaints of health problems felt by the people around AP Pettarani Street. There are six street points as TSP sampling sites and questionnaires. Measurements were carried out using the HVAS (High Volume Air Sampler) for TSP concentration and Google Form to distribute questionnaires to the community around the AP Pettarani Street Section. The results of the study showed that the concentration of TSP in the AP Pettarani Street of Makassar City ranged between 183.93 g/Nm3 - 301.64 g/Nm3. Furthermore, the health complaints perceived by the community around the AP Pettarani Street are still in a low scale – very low, but it is still recommended that the public continue to wear masks while outdoors to reduce the risk of health disturbances due to particulate dust.

Exposure particulate matter (PM2.5) and health risk assessment on informal workers in landfill site, Indonesia

This study investigates the extent of informal workers' exposure to PM2.5 and the associated health risks in the landfill. The location of this investigation is a landfill, which is unique and characteristic of developing countries, especially in Indonesia. This research was conducted in landfills where few studies have been conducted. In location, many are informal workers and cows. Workers in the informal sector are continually exposed to dust for working. To assess air quality, a high volume air sampler and personal dust sampler was used to measure particulate matter concentrations for eight hours. Direct interviews with workers were conducted to determine the health effects of PM2.5 exposure. The PM2.5 concentration ranged from 87.5 to 1080 µg/m3, exceeding the threshold value. The real-time and lifetime Risk Quotients (RQ) were found to be RQ > 1, the risk of causing health problems, precisely 1.61 and 3.02, indicating that the hazard posed a substantial risk to the workers health. The health complaints of dust were cough (74.3 %) and headache (84.6 %). In addition, some respondents also reported symptoms of respiratory infections, such as eye irritation (12.8 %), shortness of breath (12.8 %) and chest tightness (28.2 %). Respiratory infection symptoms such as cough, headache, eye irritation, breathlessness, and wheezing are significantly associated with informal workers exposed to dust. This study concludes that exposure to PM2.5 increases the health risks for landfill Informal workers. A risk management strategy is required to reduce risk to protect workers in the workplace.

Atmospheric emissions estimation of polycyclic aromatic compounds from an oil sands tailings pond using passive air samplers

A mapping study targeting emissions of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) from an oil sands tailings pond was undertaken in the Athabasca Oil sands Region (AOSR). Ten passive air samplers comprising polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed around the perimeter of Suncor Tailings Pond 2/3 for a five-week period to generate time-integrated concentrations in air for PACs, which included ∑unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ∑alkylated PAHs (alk-PAHs), and ∑dibenzothiophenes (DBTs) (both unsubstituted and alkylated). Concentrations in air ranged from 13 to 70, 220–970, and 30–210 ng/m3, respectively, and were elevated in samplers downwind of the tailings pond. PAC emissions to air from the pond were estimated using only the air-side concentration information by applying a simplified Gaussian dispersion model and found to be 896 μg/m2/day. ∑alk-PAHs and ∑DBTs had the highest contribution to the total PAC fluxes (79% and 16%, respectively). This flux estimate for PACs is equivalent to 460 kg on an annual basis and 35 000 kg/year when scaled to represent all tailings ponds in the region. The results generally agree with fluxes estimated from coupled high volume air sampling data and tailings pond water concentrations from the same field study but which are complicated due to uncertainties associated with the use of pure water Henry's Law values for tailings pond water as well as the potential for surface oily films on the tailings ponds to impact water-air exchange of PACs. Overall, these findings support the use of relatively simple and electricity-free PUF disk samplers for mapping and estimating emissions from area sources such as tailings ponds, using only air-side concentration information.

Outdoor PM2.5 and their water-soluble ions in the Northern part of the Persian Gulf

Background: The environmental conditions potentially predispose the northern part of the Persian Gulf to the occurrence of dust storms. Outdoor PM2.5 and their water-soluble ions in Bushehr port were studied from December 2016 to September 2017. Methods: A total of 46 outdoor PM2.5 samples were collected by high-volume air sampler and eight water-soluble ions, including Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, F- , Cl- , NO3 - , and SO4 2- in PM2.5 were also measured by ion chromatography (IC). Results: The 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 was in the range of 22.09 to 292.45 µg/m3 . The mean concentration of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 was in the range of 0.10±0.14 to 6.76±4.63 µg/m3 . The major water-soluble ions were the secondary inorganic aerosols (SO4 2- and NO3 - ), which accounted for nearly 41% of total water-soluble ions in PM2.5. The total water-soluble ions level of PM2.5 in winter was higher than that in spring and summer. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model showed that the source contributions of PM2.5 were in the order of dust (55.8%), sea salt (17.1%), secondary sulfate (11.8%), industries (7%), vehicular emission (4.7%), and secondary nitrate (3.7%). Conclusion: According to the results, dust and sea salt are the main sources of water-soluble ions in PM2.5 in Bushehr port, which should attract much attention.