Metal Concentrations In Particulate Matter Research Articles

Assessment of the health risk associated with exposure to heavy metals present in particulate matter deposition in the Małopolska Province

The aim of the study was to investigate the content of trace elements in deposited particulate matter and to estimate the health risk to Kraków inhabitants, caused by the exposure to heavy metals in particulate matter deposition. The qualitative and quantitative assessments of selected heavy metals in deposited particulate matter have been carried out in the city of Kraków (Małopolska, southern Poland, 5 measuring points) for seven months, between February and September 2017. A comparative study was conducted at the same time in Małopolska (5 measuring points). The deposited particulate matter was collected gravitationally, using measurement plates covered with aluminum foil and paraffin jelly. The largest deposition of particulate matter was found in May and June. The highest amount of deposited particulate matter and metals present in it was determined in Kraków. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) evaluation for non-carcinogenic effect showed low risk for each metal. In the case of lead in particulate matter, the carcinogenic risk value did not reach 10−6 hence this risk is acceptable. The total carcinogenic risk for all routes of exposure to cadmium was higher, indicating the risk of cancer in children and adults, with children more exposed. However, the carcinogenic risk for cadmium was also acceptable. The study showed that the problem of poor air quality concerns not only the city of Kraków, but also the entire Małopolska region. Elevated metal concentrations in particulate matter indicate the need for monitoring it in the air.

Environmental health risk analysis due to PM10 during 2015’s smoke haze pollution in Sawahlunto City

This research was aimed to analyzed metal concentrations in particulate matter 10 (PM10) sampled from ambient air in Sawahlunto City during the occurrence of smoke-haze pollution in 2015. The metal contents comprise of Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cd, which represented the potential for both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic illnesses. The obtained metal concentrations were further used to estimate health risk on human by using environmental health risk assessment approach. PM10 samplings were done by using Minivol Air Sampler while the metal concentration analysis was conducted by atomic absorption spectrophotometer after PM10 filter destruction. It was found out that during the smoke-haze pollution the PM10 concentrations were above Indonesian air quality standard and considered at hazardous level in accordance to the Indonesian air quality index. The results of environmental health risk assessment for children and adults show the Hazard Quotient (HQ) value > 1 for non-carcinogenic metals (Al, Cr, Mn). As for the carcinogenic metals (Co, Ni, Cd), it was estimated that the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) > 10-6 for both children and adults. It can be concluded that the occurrence of smoke-haze pollution in Sawahlunto City in 2015 increased the risk of cancer illnesses in both children and adults due to the high metal concentrations in PM10.

Seasonal Variability in the Composition of Particulate Matter and the Microclimate in Cultural Heritage Areas

This study is the first attempt to decipher the effect of particulate matter (PM) composition on people’s health and on historic sites, in correlation with the daily and seasonal microclimate monitoring of the indoor and outdoor areas of the Roman Mosaic Edifice museum (the maritime port of Constanta, Romania). More specifically, the increase of metal concentrations in particulate matter during the summer of 2018 and spring of 2019 in the museum under investigation could possibly be associated with the microclimates of both seasons, with coastal factors, as well as with the anthropic activities specific to the port of Constanta. FTIR and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) techniques, used for the investigation of PM2.5–10 samples, revealed high concentrations of Fe, Al-rich, and soluble particles inside the investigated museum area. In this respect, the chemical measurements of the PM2.5–10 masses highlighted high concentrations of heavy metals (i.e., Al, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Pb) and low concentrations of trace metals (i.e., Cr, Ni, Cu, and Cd). Statistical analysis showed that the chemical compositions of the particulate matter in the indoor and outdoor areas of the Roman Mosaic Edifice were influenced by microclimatic conditions, mainly temperature and relative humidity (RH). A potential health risk for tourists is the thermal and humid conditions, alongside the toxic components of the particulate matter. This research seeks to provide solutions for improving the environmental conditions inside the Roman Mosaic Edifice and to offer useful suggestions concerning health promotion and the protection of museum exhibits against possible future deterioration.

Measurement of metal bioaccessibility in vegetables to improve human exposure assessments: field study of soil-plant-atmosphere transfers in urban areas, South China.

The quality of cultivated consumed vegetables in relation to environmental pollution is a crucial issue for urban and peri-urban areas, which host the majority of people at the global scale. In order to evaluate the fate of metals in urban soil-plant-atmosphere systems and their consequences on human exposure, a field study was conducted at two different sites near a waste incinerator (site A) and a highway (site B). Metal concentrations were measured in the soil, settled atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and vegetables. A risk assessment was performed using both total and bioaccessible metal concentrations in vegetables. Total metal concentrations in PM were (mgkg-1): (site A) 417 Cr, 354 Cu, 931 Zn, 6.3 Cd and 168 Pb; (site B) 145 Cr, 444 Cu, 3289 Zn, 2.9 Cd and 396 Pb. Several total soil Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded China's Environmental Quality Standards. At both sites, there was significant metal enrichment from the atmosphere to the leafy vegetables (correlation between Pb concentrations in PM and leaves: r=0.52, p<0.05) which depended on the plant species. Total Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations in vegetables were therefore above or just under the maximum limit levels for foodstuffs according to Chinese and European Commission regulations. High metal bioaccessibility in the vegetables (60-79%, with maximum value for Cd) was also observed. The bioaccessible hazard index was only above 1 for site B, due to moderate Pb and Cd pollution from the highway. In contrast, site A was considered as relatively safe for urban agriculture.

Correspondences between hydrology and particulate metal concentrations along mediterranean vertical profiles

Results concerning the vertical profiles of some heavy metal concentrations in Mediterranean suspended particulate matter, collected during an oceanographic cruise (May–June 1991), are discussed. The chemical analyses were carried out according to plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The research was completed with hydrological data, which indicate Levantine Intermediate Water to be present. Correspondences between temperature and salinity profiles and chemical results pointed out that, in some cases, the heavy metals concentration in the particulate matter (μg g −1 of particulate, dry weight) could be a tracer, together with hydrological parameters, when studying the displacement of seawater masses. In fact, in correspondence with the Levantine layer, in two stations the heavy metal concentration average values are greater than the average values relative to surface and deep layers, and in three stations, ‘unusual’ correlations between some metals in the intermediate layer confirm the presence of a different kind of particulate matter.