Low-volume Sampler Research Articles

Heavy metal transport and evolution of atmospheric aerosols in the Antarctic region

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) measurements and backward air mass trajectory analysis using the HYSPLIT model were performed to better understand the main sources and transport pathways of heavy metals in atmospheric aerosols reaching the Antarctic region. Field campaigns were carried out during the austral summer 2016–2017 at the “Gabriel de Castilla” Spanish Antarctic Research Station, located on Deception Island. Aerosols were deposited in an air filter through a low-volume sampler and chemically analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The study of air masses and high enrichment factor values of several elements (Hf, Zr, As, Cu, Sn, Zn, Pb) together with their correlations (Hf/Zr, V/As, Ti/Mn and Cu/Sn) suggests a potentially significant role of three main sources in this area: remote maritime traffic, local petrol combustion (generators and/or tourist cruises), and remote/local crust. Additionally, the investigation of atmospheric flow patterns through backward trajectory analysis revealed that Hf/Zr correlation was related to a remote crustal origin, V/As to anthropogenic local pollution, Ti/Mn to terrestrial inputs on the island and Cu/Sn to remote anthropogenic sources. Overall, the present study demonstrates the existence of anthropogenic pollution at this remote site from distant as well as local sources following the Antarctic circumpolar wind pattern.

Lung Capacity Determinant Tirtonadi Bus Station Workers in Surakarta

Many factors affect the impaired lung function capacity. One of the dangerous pollutants in the air is the level of dust. Open the irritation of the upper respiratory tract. This study aims to look at the determinants of lung function capacity. The study was conducted at Tirtonadi Bus Station. This study uses an observational design with a cross-sectional design. The population of workers was 54 people after the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the total population. A sample of 50 workers was taken using a random sampling technique. Dust measurement based on SNI 16-7058-2004 uses a low volume sampler and is carried out at 06.00-10.00, 14.00-16.00. The measurement point is carried out at the west and east gates as the highest concentration of pollutants Measurement of lung function capacity using spirometry. Other variables were assessed using a questionnaire and a checklist sheet to determine the characteristics of the study respondents. The results showed significant levels of environmental dust, work area and use of substantial masks with impaired lung function capacity with p-values = 0.003, 0.005 and 0.001. The use of masks during work must be a must for workers to protect from dust exposure which generally comes from motorized vehicles.

Fine and Coarse Particle Concentration and Composition Measured In Urban And Non Urban Area Bandung, West Java - Indonesia

Atmospheric particulate concentrations for fine (particulate matter less than 2.5 micron) and coarse particles (particle with diameter 2.5-10 micron) were measured in 2 locations which are Tegalega and Dago Pakar Bandung. Tegalega represents an urban mixed site while Dago Pakar represents rural site. Samples on each location were collected over one or two days-time periods during dry and wet season using Dichotomous sampler and Low Volume Sampler (LVS). Meteorological conditions were also measured simultaneously in the sampling locations. Samples were further analyzed to determine concentrations of particulate mass, elements, sulfate, nitrate and ammonium. The results from this study show that the concentrations of the particulate mass were higher during the dry season than in the wet season for both locations, mixed and background sites. The average fine particles concentrations at mixed site were 37 and 49 μg/m3 for the wet and dry seasons respectively. The average coarse particles concentrations were 27 and 33 μg/m3 for wet and dry seasons respectively. The average mass concentrations of fine particles at the rural site were 30 and 45 μg/m3 for wet and dry seasons respectively, while for the coarse particles the concentrations were 13 for wet season and 17 μg/m3 in dry season. Concentration of Black Carbon, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium mostly existed in the fine fraction while crustal elements dominated the coarse fraction. Black Carbon, Sulfate, nitrate and ammonium contributed about 55 % to the total mass of the fine particles at Mixed site (Tegalega) and about 52 % at rural site (Dago Pakar) in dry season. Fine particulate contribute about 57 % to the PM10 in Tegalega and about 73% in Dago Pakar (rural site). This indicates that fine particles may come from other places (transported) in the rural area.

Preliminary Assessment of the Distribution of PM2.5-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Primary School Environments in Kuala Lumpur

Fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) (PM2.5) has become a major concern because it can adsorb chemicals e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) onto its surface. Although PAHs are priority pollutants that can cause adverse health effect, there is still limited information concerning indoor exposures to PAHs in Malaysia. This study aimed to characterise the distribution of PAHs bounded to PM2.5 in primary school environments. Indoor and outdoor PM2.5 were collected between May and July 2017 using low volume samplers (LVS) at three public primary schools in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. PAHs were extracted by ultrasonic extraction with Dichloromethane:n-Hexane (1:1, v/v) as the extraction solvent and analysed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Based on the results, the average total concentration of PAHs (∑PAHs) ranged from 3.8 to 10.1 ng m-3 and 1.6 to 8.0 ng m-3 for outdoors and indoors, respectively. PAHs in PM2.5 samples indicated the potential contribution of combustion at high temperature and indoor sources, and the infiltration of outdoor PAHs were the important sources for outdoor and indoor, respectively. In addition, the diagnostic ratio analysis showed that vehicular emissions were the most predominant sources of PAHs in school environments.

Quantification of particulate matter, tracking the origin and relationship between elements for the environmental monitoring of the Antarctic region

The present work reports on the analysis of atmospheric aerosols in the Antarctic region, Deception Island, collected during austral summer 2016–2017 by field measurements carried from Gabriel de Castilla Spanish Research Station. A low-volume sampler was used to capture the aerosols depositing them onto the air filters. A chemical analysis of the samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) provided the total carbon (TC), organic carbon (OC), elemental Carbon (EC) and elements such as Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Cu, Pb, Sr, Ti, Zn and Cr. The average mass concentration of particulate matter (PM10) originated by natural and anthropogenic activities was calculated as 10 ± 4 μg/m3, although values such as 28.2 μg/m3 were also obtained which is very high even when compared to other places in the coast of the Antarctic region. In addition, high enrichment factors have been found for elements such as Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn showing a remote anthropogenic contribution to particulate matter in this region. Correlations were found between Na, Mg, Ca, Al, Ti and S, where Na/Mg displayed the influence of marine environments, S correspond to volcanic activities, Ca to penguin colonies and influence of sea whereas Al/Ti indicated the crustal origin. Polar contour graphical maps were obtained from meteorological data using chemometrics methods, which allowed reproducing wind maps revealing the distribution of the aerosols and possible emission sources of different elements in the area. Given that this island has not been previously studied for atmospheric contamination, this work provides an interesting insight about the site-specific characteristics of particulate matter.

Passive Samplers for the Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Flame Retardants among Canadian E-Waste Dismantlers

The mass of e-waste produced globally is growing dramatically. One hazard, especially for e-waste handlers, are flame retardants (FRs) which are added to electronic and electrical equipment in order to meet flammability standards. FR air concentrations can be measured using active air sampling equipment, but this sampling train can be cumbersome for workers. Passive samplers made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or silicone rubber, are one option for simplifying the measurement process. Here, we compared PDMS passive air samplers (PDMS-PASs) with active air samplers for the assessment of FR air levels at an e-waste dismantling facility in Ontario, Canada for the purpose of estimating occupational exposure.Sampling was conducted daily over a five days in February 2017. PDMS-PASs were hung at 4 workbenches and a central workplace, and were co-deployed with an active low-volume air sampler which consisted of a GFF followed by a PUF/XAD/PUF sandwich. Each PDMS and low-volume sampler was harvested after 24 hours. Samples were extracted and analysed for 13 FRs, including novel brominated flame retardants (NFRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs), using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS).The most abundant FRs were the now-banned PBDEs (BDE-209 accounted for ~70-98 % of FRs collected by PDMS-PASs). Total median concentrations of PBDEs in PDMS-PASs at the central workplace and workbenches were 1930 and 2900 ng/m3, respectively. PDMS-PASs provided comparable estimates of air concentrations to active samplers. The chemical profiles from the PDMS matched those from active sampling, indicating that differences in compound gas-particle partitioning did not affect the sampling efficiency of PDMS.Levels of FRs in air collected from this Canadian e-waste recycling facility suggest PDMS-PASs can be used to estimate occupational exposure to FRs, even for short deployment times at workplaces with elevated levels of these chemicals.

Indoor Air Pollution and Reduced Lung Function in Biomass Exposed Women: A Cross Sectional Study in Pune District, India

Background Worldwide, majority population rely on solid fuels for cooking and heating, mainly in low and middle-income countries. The inefficient use of such fuels in poorly ventilated conditions results in high levels of indoor air pollution, most seriously affecting women and young children Objectives: The main aim of this study was to measure and compare the lung function of the women exposed to biomass fuels and LPG fuels and relate it to the indoor emission, measured using a structured questionnaire, spirometer and filter based low volume samplers. Methodology: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among the women (aged >18 years) living in rural villages of Pune district who were not diagnosed of chronic pulmonary diseases or any other respiratory diseases and using biomass fuels or LPG for cooking for a minimum period of five years or more. Data collection was done from April to June 2017 in the dry season. Spirometer was performed using the portable, batteryoperated ultrasound EasyOne spirometer (Spirobank II, ndd Medical Technologies, Zurich, Switzerland) to determine the lung function over forced expiratory volume. The primary outcome variable was forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ). Secondary outcome was chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (post bronchodilator FEV1 /forced vital capacity (FVC)< 70%) as defined by the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease. Potential confounders such as age, height, weight, smoking history, occupation, educational status was considered. Results Preliminary results showed that the lung function of the women using biomass fuels (FEV1 /FVC = 85% ± 5.13) had comparatively reduced lung function than the LPG users (FEV1 /FVC = 86.40% ± 5.32). The mean PM2.5 mass concentration in the biomass user’s kitchen was 274.34 ± 314.90 and 85.04 ± 97.82 in the LPG user’s kitchen. Black carbon amount was found higher in the biomass users (black carbon = 46.71 ± 46.59 µg/m³) than LPG users (black carbon =11.08 ± 22.97 µg/m³). Most of the houses used separate kitchen. Almost all the houses that used the clean fuel like LPG had minimum amount of the particulate matter 2.5 which might be due to the background pollution and cross ventilation from the houses using biomass. Conclusions: Therefore, there is an urgent need to adopt various strategies to improve indoor air quality. There is a lacking current state of climate active pollutants emission from different stove designs and identify major deficiencies that need to be tackled. Moreover, the advancement in research tools, measuring technique in particular, is critical for researchers in developing countries to improve their capability to study the emissions for addressing the growing climate change and public health concerns.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 particle fractions in an urban area

Inhalation of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to particulate matter can have adverse effects on human health. Particle size plays an important role in assessing health risks. The aim of this study was to compare concentrations of PAHs in different particle fractions. Measurements of PAHs were carried out in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia (~ 790,000 inhabitants). The measuring station was located in the northern, residential part of Zagreb, close to a street with modest traffic density. Twenty-four-hour samples of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 particle fraction were collected on quartz filters using a low-volume sampler from about 50 m3 of air. Three fractions were collected from January to December 2013. The analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector and time-programmed changes in excitation and emission. Comparison of PAH content in PM10 and PM2.5 particle fractions revealed that more than 80% of PAHs measured in winter were bound to the smaller particle fraction (PM2.5), except for Chry, IP and DahA. In summer, more than 60% of measured PAHs were bound to PM2.5 particles, except for DahA, while in spring, more than 50% of measured PAHs were bound to PM2.5 particles, except for Flu, BaP and BbF. Furthermore, comparing PAH content in PM1 and PM2.5 fractions, we found that most PAHs were bound to particle fraction PM1, and the percentage of PAHs in PM1 was the highest in winter (more than 90%). Factor analysis showed that most of the PAHs bound to PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 probably had identical sources in winter, spring and summer (house heating and traffic), and the only significant difference in origin was found in autumn for PAHs bound to PM2.5 and PM1 fractions.

Evaluation of sampling adsorbents and validation of a LC-HRMS method for determination of 28 airborne pesticides

A new strategy for sampling, using a low-volume sampler, and determination of airborne pesticides by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) has been developed. The trapping efficiency of three adsorbents (sandwich PUF-XAD2-PUF; XAD-2 and XAD-4) was tested for 33 currently used pesticides and the first adsorbent (PUF-XAD2-PUF) was selected because it presented the highest retention capacity without breakthrough. Selected PUF-XAD2-PUF had the following design: 5 g of Amberlite XAD-2 sandwiched between two cylinders of PUF (6.87 cm3, height: 1.4 cm, diameter: 2.5 cm). A validation of the analytical methodology that includes microwave extraction with ethyl acetate, and determination by UHPLC-HRMS was employed. The method showed recoveries ranging from 75% to 120% with quantification limits in the range of 32.2–129.0 pg m−3 when 155 m3 were sampled. This analytical strategy was applied to 15 air samples collected in a rural area of Valencia Region (Spain). Ten polar pesticides, namely acetamiprid, carbendazim, carbofuran, imidacloprid, iprovalicarb, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, pirimicarb, pyrimethanil and terbuthylazine were detected in air samples with concentrations ranging from 411.16 pg m−3 (imidacloprid) to 11011.45 pg m−3 (pyrimethanil).

Assessing personal exposure to PM using data from an integrated indoor-outdoor experiment in Athens-Greece

An integrated indoor-outdoor 15-day PM sampling campaign in a general area close to the centre of Athens, targeted to examine personal exposure. All microenvironments (MEs) (second and fourth floor flats, cafes, cars, restaurants, underground metro, outdoor etc.) frequented by the residents were included in the study. The instrumentation used was both stationary (low volume samplers) and portable/wearable to be able to measure continuously PM10, PM2.5, PM1 and analyze chemically PM2.5 and PM1 samples. The study showed that the residences' air quality was determined by the type and intensity of outdoor sources and their vertical distance from the street. Indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning further increased PM levels and formulated the air quality, while particulate accumulation was evident. In general, PM2.5 concentrations were higher outdoors, 11–43 μg/m3, than in the second floor flat as well as on days within different MEs, 13–33 μg/m3 and 8–35 μg/m3, respectively and finally in the fourth floor 10–18 μg/m3. PM2.5 chemical composition was typical of a Mediterranean urban area predominantly composed on average of OC/EC (33%), sulfate (13%), ammonium (9%), nitrate (5%) and crustal material (Cl−, Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) (5%). On days when other MEs were visited crustal material increased on average to 16%. The PM levels measured with the portable instrumentation at all mEs showed that the persons were exposed to higher PM10 concentrations in the subway (avg. 218 μg/m3) due to the resuspension of crustal material, while maximum PM2.5 and PM1 were experienced in cafes where smoking was allowed (avg. 126 and 108 μg/m3, respectively). Using the car resulted to the lowest PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 exposure (58, 10 and 6 μg/m3, respectively). Total exposure to particulates depended both on the time spent in each ME and on the mixture of MEs visited in 24 h.

An analysis of the dust deposition on solar photovoltaic modules

Solid particles impair the performance of the photovoltaic (PV) modules. This results in power losses which lower the efficiency of the system as well as the increases of temperature which additionally decreases the performance and lifetime. The deposited dust chemical composition, concentration and formation of a dust layer on the PV surface differ significantly in reference to time and location. In this study, an evaluation of dust deposition on the PV front cover glass during the non-heating season in one of the most polluted European cities, Kraków, was performed. The time-dependent particle deposition and its correlation to the air pollution with particulate matter were analysed. Dust deposited on several identical PV modules during variable exposure periods (from 1 day up to 1 week) and the samples of total suspended particles (TSP) on quartz fibre filters using a low volume sampler were collected during the non-heating season in the period of 5 weeks. The concentration of TSP in the study period ranged between 12.5 and 60.05 μg m−3 while the concentration of PM10 observed in the Voivodeship Inspectorate of Environmental Protection traffic station, located 1.2 km from the TSP sampler, ranged from 14 to 47 μg m−3. It was revealed that dust deposition density on a PV surface ranged from 7.5 to 42.1 mg m−2 for exposure periods of 1 day while the measured weekly dust deposition densities ranged from 25.8 to 277.0 mg m−2. The precipitation volume and its intensity as well as humidity significantly influence the deposited dust. The rate of dust accumulation reaches approximately 40 mg m−2day−1 in the no-precipitation period and it was at least two times higher than fluxes calculated on the basis of PM10 and TSP concentrations which suggest that additional forces such as electrostatic forces significantly influence dust deposition.

A study on air pollution concentration at Desa parkcity construction site

This study assesses the effect of construction workers exposure towards the air pollution to the correlation between meteorological factor with the particulate matter and other gases concentration at a construction site in DesaParkcity. The concentration of PM was collected by using low volume sampler meanwhile CO, CO 2 , SO 2 and NO 2 was measured by Gas Alert Micro 5 IR. The meteorological factor was measured using an anemeter. The result shows that the average concentrations of PM10 are 62.71 μg/m 3 , concentration of PM2.5 is 18.32 μg/m 3 and concentration of PM1.0 is 14.04 μg/m 3 . PM10 shows the highest reading comparedwith PM2.5 and PM1.0. There is no significant association between meteorological factors with the particulate matter concentration. There is a significant association between meteorological factor with the concentration orCO, CO 2 , SO 2 and NO 2 at DesaParkcity construction site. Keywords : air pollution; construction worker; meteorological factor.

Health hazards from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons bound to submicrometer particles in Gliwice (Poland)

Even though there is an eminent reduction of emission of pollution, there is still a serious danger to health caused by atmospheric aerosol. Studies show that particles with aerodynamic diameters not greater than 1 μm (PM1) and 2.5 μm (PM2.5) are especially dangerous as they have the ability to easily penetrate into the alveoli and then into the circulatory system. What is more, absorbed on their surface for example persistent organic compounds, among them polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) they have carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The paper presents concentrations polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons bound to submicrometer particles (PM1). Samples were collected at the point in southern Poland (Gliwice) with a low volume sampler. Afterwards, they were chemically analysed with a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector (Perkin Elmer Clarus 500). The average concentration values of the PAH sum (ΣPAH) and particular PAHs; the percentages of carcinogenic PAHs in total PAHs (ΣPAHcarc/ΣPAH); toxic equivalent (CEQ); mutagenic equivalent (MEQ); TCDD-toxic equivalent (TEQ). Their high values express the significance of health hazard from PM1 and PM1-bound PAH in Silesia Region.

COMPOSITION OF TRACE METALS IN INDOOR DUST DURING AND AFTER BUILDING RENOVATION

A study was conducted to determine the composition and concentration of trace metals in suspended particulate matter (PM10) and indoor dust in two academic buildings of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. One building was in the final phases of renovation (UR) and the other building had just finished renovation (AR). PM10 sampling of air was performed using a low volume sampler (LVS), and samples of indoor dust were obtained using a brush and a small plastic bag. The compositions of trace metals in both samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). PM10 concentrations in the building under renovation (UR) were found to be higher (77.1 32.4 g m-3 to 355.4 38.3 g m-3) than those in the building after renovation (AR) (91.7 41.2 g m-3 to 147.9 3.0 g m-3). Higher concentrations of PM10 were found in the open areas (foyer and corridor) than in closed areas (classroom and laboratory). The concentrations of trace metals in PM10 and indoor dust were found to be dominated by Zn, followed by Pb > Cu > Cd. There is no indication of health adverse effect based on the concentration of trace metals recorded in the UR and AR buildings from this study.

Statistical evaluation and predicting the possible sources of particulate matter in a Mediterranean metropolitan city

In Mega-cities, such as Istanbul, urbanization causes heavy traffic. Air pollution, which originated from heavy traffic and industrialization, is one of the most important problems for the people who live in the populated cities. Due to both environmental and health effects, particulate matter problem always remains popular and serves an important research field. For this purpose, PM2.5 and PM10 measurements were taken in the megacity of Istanbul, close to Besiktas district by a low volume sampler at 5 different sampling stations. A total of 150 samples, 75 samples of PM2.5 and 75 samples of PM10 were collected from these sampling stations. Sampling period was between March 2009 and March 2010. Determination of particulate matter concentration was performed by the gravimetric method and elemental concentrations were analyzed with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis were applied to obtained elemental concentrations in order to identify the possible sources associated with the particulate matter. Four factors for PM2.5 and five factors for PM10 were determined by PCA method, which had variance contributions of 82.3% for PM2.5 and 83.5% for PM10. Acquired data showed that Istanbul ambient air was dominated by traffic emissions and crustal originated elements.

Source apportionment of carbonaceous chemical species to fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning and biogenic emissions by a coupled radiocarbon–levoglucosan marker method

Abstract. An intensive aerosol measurement and sample collection campaign was conducted in central Budapest in a mild winter for 2 weeks. The online instruments included an FDMS-TEOM, RT-OC/EC analyser, DMPS, gas pollutant analysers and meteorological sensors. The aerosol samples were collected on quartz fibre filters by a low-volume sampler using the tandem filter method. Elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), levoglucosan, mannosan, galactosan, arabitol and mannitol were determined, and radiocarbon analysis was performed on the aerosol samples. Median atmospheric concentrations of EC, OC and PM2.5 mass were 0.97, 4.9 and 25 µg m−3, respectively. The EC and organic matter (1.6 × OC) accounted for 4.8 and 37 %, respectively, of the PM2.5 mass. Fossil fuel (FF) combustion represented 36 % of the total carbon (TC = EC + OC) in the PM2.5 size fraction. Biomass burning (BB) was a major source (40 %) for the OC in the PM2.5 size fraction, and a substantial source (11 %) for the PM10 mass. We propose and apply here a novel, straightforward, coupled radiocarbon–levoglucosan marker method for source apportionment of the major carbonaceous chemical species. The contributions of EC and OC from FF combustion (ECFF and OCFF) to the TC were 11.0 and 25 %, respectively, EC and OC from BB (ECBB and OCBB) were responsible for 5.8 and 34 %, respectively, of the TC, while the OC from biogenic sources (OCBIO) made up 24 % of the TC. The overall relative uncertainty of the OCBIO and OCBB contributions was assessed to be up to 30 %, while the relative uncertainty for the other apportioned species is expected to be below 20 %. Evaluation of the apportioned atmospheric concentrations revealed some of their important properties and relationships among them. ECFF and OCFF were associated with different FF combustion sources. Most ECFF was emitted by vehicular road traffic, while the contribution of non-vehicular sources such as domestic and industrial heating or cooking using gas, oil or coal to OCFF was substantial. The mean contribution of BB to EC particles was smaller by a factor of approximately 2 than that of road traffic. The main formation processes of OCFF, OCBB and OCBIO from volatile organic compounds were jointly influenced by a common factor, which is most likely the atmospheric photochemistry, while primary organic emissions can also be important. Technological improvements and control measures for various BB appliances, together with efficient education and training of their users, in particular on the admissible fuel types, offer an important potential for improving the air quality in Budapest, and likely in other cities as well.

PMF5.0 vs. CMB8.2: An inter-comparison study based on the new European SPECIEUROPE database

Receptor Models are tools widely adopted in source apportionment studies. We describe here an experiment in which we integrated two different approaches, i.e. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) to apportion a set of PM10 (i.e. Particulate Matter with aerodynamic diameter lower than 10μm) concentration values. The study was performed in the city of Genoa (Italy): a sampling campaign was carried out collecting daily PM10 samples for about two months in an urban background site. PM10 was collected on Quartz fiber filters by a low-volume sampler. A quite complete speciation of PM samples was obtained via Energy Dispersive-X Ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF, for elements), Ionic Chromatography (IC, for major ions and levoglucosan), thermo-optical Analysis (TOT, for organic and elemental carbon). The chemical analyses provided the input database for source apportionment by both PMF and CMB. Source profiles were directly calculated from the input data by PMF while in the CMB runs they were first calculated by averaging the profiles of similar sources collected in the European database SPECIEUROPE. Differences between the two receptor models emerged in particular with PM10 sources linked to very local processes. For this reason, PMF source profiles were adopted in refined CMB runs thus testing a new hybrid approach. Finally, PMF and the “tuned” CMB showed a better agreement even if some discrepancies could not completely been resolved. In this work, we compared the results coming from the last available PMF and CMB versions applied on a set of PM10 samples. Input profiles used in CMB analysis were obtained by averaging the profiles of the new European SPECIEUROPE database. The main differences between PMF and CMB results were linked to very local processes: we obtained the best solution by integrating the two different approaches with the implementation of some output PMF profiles to CMB runs.

CARACTERIZACIÓN QUÍMICA DEL MATERIAL PARTICULADO ATMOSFÉRICO DEL CENTRO URBANO DE HUANCAYO, PERÚ

La ciudad de Huancayo, ubicada en los Andes centrales del Perú, presenta problemas de calidad del aire, siendo el principal contaminante el material particulado (MP). Por ello, el objetivo del presente artículo fue caracterizar la composición química del MP atmosférico colectados en una estación ubicada en el centro urbano de Huancayo. Se colectó MP en agosto del 2007, y enero, abril y mayo del 2008 con un equipo de bajo volumen (PARTISOL FRM 2000) y filtros de 47 mm. Se determinó la concentración de partículas de tamaño hasta 10 µm (MP10), partículas menores a 2,5 µm (MP2,5) y se analizó la composición química de hasta 38 elementos, mediante la técnica de fluorescencia de rayos X (XRF). Y en el caso del MP2.5 se analizó los iones: nitrato (NO3 - ) y sulfato (SO4 = ) y especies carbonáceas: carbono orgánico (COrg) y carbono elemental (CE). Los resultados de MP10 (64,54 ±30,87 µg/m3 ) y MP2,5 (34,47 ±14,75 µg/m3 ) superaron la normativa anual de calidad del aire peruano, siendo el MP2,5 el que representa mayor abundancia en comparación a otras ciudades importantes. También se evidencia una mayor concentración de MP10 y MP2,5 en periodo seco. La determinación de la composición química indicó que los elementos geológicos (8%), metales (12%) y metaloides (7%) fueron los componentes más abundantes en el MP10 y los no metales (4%), iones (11%) y especies carbonáceas (44%) en el MP2,5. En conclusión este estudio confirma la problemática del MP en la ciudad de Huancayo, pero evidencia el mayor riesgo del MP2,5 a la salud de su población, siendo el sector transporte una de las fuentes de emisión más importantes.

Identification of Cation Elements in PM10 Concentration in Industrial Area of Penang

This study aims to investigate the concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micron (PM10) and their associated cation elements in PM10. The sample of PM10 was collected at Royal Malaysian Customs Department (N5° 22’ 012”; E100° 23’589”) located in Perai Industrial Area, Penang, from June to September 2015. The sampling was carried out during the southwest monsoon and a total of 12 samples were collected using a low volume sampler (LVS). Results suggested that there are five elements that are commonly identified from PM sampled which are ammonium, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The concentrations of the cation from all four months in the industrial area shows the order of NH4 + &gt; Ca+ &gt; K+ &gt; Mg2+ &gt; Na+ . The lowest and highest concentrations calculated both were ammonium (0.012 ?g/m3) in July and (0.873 ?g/m3) September, respectively.

Quantitative source apportionment and human toxicity of indoor trace metals at university buildings

This study focuses on the source apportionment principal component analysis of indoor particulate matter (PM10) composition in two university buildings with different ventilation systems. A low volume sampler using Teflon filter paper was used to collect the PM10 samples and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of heavy metals. The potential human health damage due to the inhalation of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic elements was also determined based on the USEPA standard. The results showed PM10 concentrations recorded in Building 1 and Building 2 ranged between 19.1 and 237 μg m−3 and 23.4–159 μg m−3, respectively. In Building 1, the principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) showed that the main sources of pollutants in PM10 were the crustal source (20%), indoor-induced (8%), urban origin (7%) and the Earth's crust (6%). The main sources of pollutants in Building 2 were combustion (21%), biogenic (6%), anthropogenic (4%) and crustal (3%). The effective lifetime carcinogenic risks (ELCR) in Buildings 1 and 2 were 1.90E-3 and 1.65E-4, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) represents the non-carcinogenic risk, with 7.73 and 6.46 in Building 1 and Building 2, respectively. These ECLR and HQ values exceed the acceptable limit and are higher compared to the standard from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Guidelines for the assessment of carcinogen risk. It was suggested that different types of ventilation influence the PM10 distribution in buildings and associated risks towards the occupant's health and indoor air quality.