Metals In PM2 Research Articles

Seasonal Variation and Sources of Heavy Metals in Atmospheric Aerosols in a Residential Area of Ulsan, Korea

This study investigated seasonal variations in mass concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and compositions of heavy metals in PM2.5 and PM10 collected from a typical urban residential area in Ulsan, Korea. PM measurements were conducted during spring and summer of 2009. Mean concentrations of PM2.5 in spring and summer were 23.2 and 18.1 µg/m 3 , respectively. Mean concentrations of PM10 in spring and summer were 45.9 and 33.2 µg/m 3 , respectively. The lower summer PM concentrations as compared to the spring ones are due to the increased rainfall precipitation. Airborne PM was analyzed for these heavy metals: Fe, Zn, Cd, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cr and Ni. All of the metals in PM2.5 and PM10 had higher concentrations in spring than in summer, except Cr in PM10 which shows similar concentrations between spring and summer. Seasonal differences in the metal concentrations may be due to differences in wind directions with some winds passing through industry or traffic areas. Analysis of enrichment factors of heavy metals showed highly enriched Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu. Principal component analysis for the heavy metals in PM2.5 and PM10 identified industrial emissions and road dust (soil and traffic) as major sources at the sampling site.

Carcinogenic Metals in Airborne Fine Particulates (PM2.5), DNA Damages, and Related Lung Dysfunction in Traffic-exposed Worker in Taiwan

PP-29-034 Background/Aims: Between November 2008 and January 2009, the study aimed to assess urinary 8-OHdG and lung function of 28 traffic policemen exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM) in Hsinchu area in Taiwan. Methods: The subjects were monitored for 2 days to assess integrated 10-hour PM2.5 breathing zone concentration. Personal PM2.5 concentration was collected from personal air samplers, and the metal content was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy method. Urinary 8-OHdG was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Mean PM2.5 concentration for policemen at the crossroads was 132.9 μg/m3 (SD = 74.2 μg/m3). Urinary metal concentrations (Cd, Ni, Pb, Co, Mn, and Cu) in the subjects who were exposed to PM2. were significantly higher than those who were not (P < 0.078); concentration in urine was marginally associated with a decrease in forced expired volume in 1 second after adjustment for age, height, weight, and smoking habit. Conclusion: The results suggest that the carcinogenic metals in PM2.5, including Cd and Ni, may induce the production of oxidative stress, DNA adducts, and decreased lung volumes in traffic policemen.

Composition of heavy metals and airborne fibers in the indoor environment of a building during renovation

The renovation of a building will certainly affect the quality of air in the vicinity of where associated activities were undertaken, this includes the quality of air inside the building. Indoor air pollutants such as particulate matter, heavy metals, and fine fibers are likely to be emitted during renovation work. This study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals, asbestos and suspended particulates in the Biology Building, at the Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia (UKM). Renovation activities were carried out widely in the laboratories which were located in this building. A low-volume sampler was used to collect suspended particulate matter of a diameter size less than 10 μm (PM₁₀) and an air sampling pump, fitted with a cellulose ester membrane filter, were used for asbestos sampling. Dust was collected using a small brush and scope. The concentration of heavy metals was determined through the use of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy and the fibers were counted through a phase contrast microscope. The concentrations of PM₁₀ recorded in the building during renovation action (ranging from 166 to 542 μg m⁻³) were higher than the value set by the Department of Safety and Health for respirable dust (150 μg m⁻³). Additionally, they were higher than the value of PM₁₀ recorded in indoor environments from other studies. The composition of heavy metals in PM₁₀ and indoor dust were found to be dominated by Zn and results also showed that the concentration of heavy metals in indoor dust and PM₁₀ in this study was higher than levels recorded in other similar studies. The asbestos concentration was 0.0038 ± 0.0011 fibers/cc. This was lower than the value set by the Malaysian Department of Occupational, Safety and Health (DOSH) regulations of 0.1 fibers/cc, but higher than the background value usually recorded in indoor environments. This study strongly suggests that renovation issues need to be considered seriously by relevant stakeholders within the university in order to ensure that the associated risks toward humans and indoor environment are eliminated, or where this is not feasible, minimized as far as possible.

Oxidant generation capacity of source-apportioned PM2.5

While many studies found associations between ambient particulate matter (PM) and morbidity or mortality outcomes, it is unclear whether these associations were dependent on the composition of PM, which varies with the source of that PM. We address this knowledge gap by conducting a time-series PM-health effects assessment that specifically investigates the role of source-apportioned fine PM (PM2.5) on the oxidant generation capacity that might be responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular health outcomes. Daily PM2.5 composition speciation and black carbon (BC) measurements, conducted in rural New York for 303 days between March 2003 and January 2005, were analyzed using factor analysis source-apportionment model, and five source categories (transported aerosol/secondary sulfate, resuspended soil, metals, residual oil combustion, and industrial/incineration) were identified. After the exposure of human epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) to these PM2.5 samples, cellular nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation showed a relatively significant association Ni (concentration averaging 38 ng/m3), and weaker but still significant correlations with Ba (13 ng/m3), Mn (9 ng/m3), and Fe (500 ng/m3). The single-source regression analysis of NF-κB signal showed significant association with metal source only. Our results showed that metals in PM2.5 were the important source for cellular oxidant generation and may be responsible for subsequent health effects associate with particle air pollution.

Validating Trace Metals Levels in PM&lt;sub&gt;2.5&lt;/sub&gt; Aerosols from Indoor and Outdoor Polluting Premises

Problem statement: Our studies revealed high trace metals concentrations in PM2.5 aerosols from Residential Buildings (RB-I) and enclosed Car Parks (CP-I) indoor than in outdoor Residential Buildings (RB-O) and Car Parks Outdoor (CP-O), indicating possible dust accumulation in confined premises from six Kuwait Governorate areas. Approach: Trace metals in PM2.5 was high in the sequence of Bed Room (BR) >kitchen (FR) >Living Room (LR) due to improper ventilation and space-resident ratio. Results: Buildings Without Cars Parks (WCP) showed low PM2.5 trace metals concentrations when compared to buildings with Car Parks (CP). High PM2.5 trace metals in Governorate-IV were reflected by commercialization. Analysis showed high Al and Fe concentrations in all the categorized samples. The I/O ratio was >1 in all the samples indicating the influence of indoor attributes superseding the outdoor pollution sources. Conclusion/Recommendations: This study characterizes the trace metals variations in different areas, buildings with and without car parks and building components besides the application of preventive measures to air pollution.

Inflammation and tissue damage in mouse lung by single and repeated dosing of urban air coarse and fine particles collected from six European cities

The authors have previously demonstrated heterogeneities in the inflammatory activities of urban air fine (PM2.5–0.2) and coarse (PM10–2.5) particulate samples collected from six European cities with contrasting air pollution situations. The same samples (10 mg/kg) were intratracheally instilled to healthy C57BL/6J mice either once or repeatedly on days 1, 3, and 6 of the study week. The lungs were lavaged 24 h after the single dose or after the last repeated dosing. In both size ranges, repeated dosing of particles increased the total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) more than the respective single dose, whereas cytokine concentrations were lower after repeated dosing. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) responses increased up to 2-fold after repeated dosing of PM2.5–0.2 samples and up to 6-fold after repeated dosing of PM10–2.5 samples. PM10–2.5 samples evoked a more extensive interstitial inflammation in the mouse lungs. The constituents with major contributions to the inflammatory responses were oxidized organic compounds and transition metals in PM2.5–0.2 samples, Cu and soil minerals in PM10–2.5 samples, and Zn in both size ranges. In contrast, poor biomass and coal combustion were associated with elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and a consistent inhibitory effect on the inflammatory activity of PM2.5–0.2 samples. In conclusion, repeated intratracheal instillation of both fine and coarse particulate samples evoked enhanced pulmonary inflammation and cytotoxicity compared to single-dose administration. The sources and constituents of urban air particles responsible for these effects appear to be similar to those encountered in the authors’ previous single-dose study.

Aerosol iron solubility in a semi-arid region: temporal trend and impact of anthropogenic sources

Asystematic 1-yr chemical data for the fine mode (PM2.5) air-borne particulate matter, collected from a high-altitude site (Mt. Abu, 22.7◦N, 74.6◦E, 1680 m asl) in a semi-arid region of western India, reveal characteristic temporal variability in the abundance of mineral dust and fractional solubility of aerosol Fe (referred as water-soluble Fe). A notable feature of the data is seen from an inverse relationship between aerosol Fe (range: 50–915 ng m−3) and fractional Fe solubility (range: 0.06–16.1%). A significant increase in the solubility of iron, during wintertime, is also marked by a uniform decrease in the mass fraction of mineral dust. These observations suggest that the advective transport of pollutants and Fe derived from combustion sources is one of the possible causes for the enhanced solubility of iron over a semi-arid region in western India. The relative dominance of anthropogenic sources, during wintertime, is also supported by a two to threefold increase in NH4+ and SO42− as well as enrichment of heavy metals in PM2.5 (ascertained from Pb/Al and Cd/Al ratios).

Estimating the contribution of industrial facilities to annual PM10 concentrations at industrially influenced sites

If measures to reduce the industrial discharge of PM10 shall be planned with high accuracy, a first step must be to estimate the contribution of single industrial facilities to the overall PM10 burden as accurately as possible. In northern Duisburg as an example, an area where iron and steel producing industry is concentrated, PM10 was measured at 4 sampling sites very close to an industrial complex of blast furnaces, a sinter plant, oxygen steel works and a coke oven plant for 9 months in 2006. At two sites metals in PM10 were determined. The results, together with analytical data of urban background sites in the region and data of wind direction and wind speed were used for an estimation of the contribution of single plants to the PM10 burden. A careful analysis of the data showed, that the data of PM10, calcium, iron and zinc measured at two sites close to the industrial area and information about the urban background aerosol were sufficient to calculate the PM10 contribution of the main single plants. The data could be compared with those of modelling.

Is PM10 mass measurement a reliable index for air quality assessment? An environmental study in a geographical area of north-eastern Italy

The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of some metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Ti) in PM(10) samples collected in one urban and one industrial site and to assess that PM(10) total mass measurement may be not sufficient as air quality index due to its complex composition. Metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and differential pulsed anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The measured concentrations were used to calculate the content of metals in the PM(10) total mass, and to estimate the enrichment factors and the correlations between PM(10), metal concentrations and meteorological data for the two sites. The mean PM10 concentration during the sampling period in the urban site exceeded the annual European Union (EU) standard (40 microg/m(3)) and, for some sampling days, the daily EU standard (50 microg/m(3)) was also exceeded. In opposite, both EU standards were never exceeded in the industrial site. The overall metal content was nearly double in the industrial site compared to the urban one, and the mean Ni concentration exceeded the EU annual limit value (10 ng/m(3)). The metals with the highest enrichment factor were Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb for both sites, suggesting a dominant anthropogenic source for these metals. Metal concentrations were very low and typical of rural background during Christmas holidays, when factories were closed. PM(10) total mass measurement is not a sufficient air quality index since the metal content of PM(10) is not related to its total mass, especially in sites with industrial activities. This measurement should be associated with the analysis of toxic metals.

Analysis of acidic components, heavy metals and PAHS of particulate in the Changwon–Masan area of Korea

This study is an analysis of the concentrations and components of heavy metals in PM2.5 and the total suspended particulate (TSP) collected at a mechanical industrial complex (IC) site in Changwon and at a residential site in Masan, Korea. Particulate was collected during two sampling periods, from the late summer to the early fall and from the middle to late fall, at the IC site and one sampling period, from the middle fall to the early winter, at the residential site. PM2.5 and TSP samples were taken by an annular denuder system and a hi-volume air sampler, respectively. The authors also identified the concentrations and components of heavy metals extracted from the PM2.5 and TSP filters, the acidic components extracted from the PM2.5 filters, and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) extracted from polyurethane foam (PUF) plug. The average concentrations of the PM2.5 collected at the IC and residential sites were very similar. Major sources of PM2.5 at the study sites, however, were air emissions from vehicles and industry as well as emissions from residential heating and soil origins, respectively. The higher concentrations of the TSP at the IC site, as compared to those at the residential site, were due to either increased suspended dust from vehicle emissions or re-suspended road dust because of increased vehicle speeds near the IC site. Heavy metal concentrations in the TSPs were higher than those in the PM2.5. The heavy metal concentrations in the PM2.5 and TSP at the IC site with heavy traffic were substantially greater than those at the residential site. The concentrations of TSP and heavy metals and PAHs in PM during the period of the middle to late fall was much higher than those during the period of the late summer to early fall at the IC site. This is because of the difference in meteorological characteristics and energy uses between two periods. The residential site also showed higher concentrations of acidic anions while the IC site showed higher concentrations of acidic cation. Secondary aerosols or particulates, such as ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrite, might have been important constituents of the PM2.5 at the residential site. The PAHs in the TSP collected at the IC site was greatly affected by traffic and industry emissions consisting mostly of high molecular weight PAHs with two to four rings. PAHs in the TSP at the site, however, were affected by residential heating and air emissions from small chemical plants having higher concentrations of low molecular weight PAHs with five to six rings.

Ambient air quality of Lucknow City (India) during use of fireworks on Diwali Festival

The present study deals with the effect of fireworks on ambient air quality during Diwali Festival in Lucknow City. In this study, PM(10), SO(2), NO( x ) and 10 trace metals associated with PM(10) were estimated at four representative locations, during day and night times for Pre Diwali (day before Diwali) and Diwali day. On Diwali day 24 h average concentration of PM(10), SO(2), and NO( x ) was found to be 753.3, 139.1, and 107.3 mug m(-3), respectively, and these concentrations were found to be higher at 2.49 and 5.67 times for PM(10), 1.95 and 6.59 times for SO(2) and 1.79 and 2.69 for NO( x ), when compared with the respective concentration of Pre Diwali and normal day, respectively. On Diwali day, 24 h values for PM(10), SO(2), and NO( x ) were found to be higher than prescribed limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and exceptionally high (7.53 times) for PM(10). On Diwali night (12 h) mean level of PM(10), SO(2) and NO( x ) was 1,206.2, 205.4 and 149.0 mug m(-3), respectively, which was 4.02, 2.82 and 2.27 times higher than their respective daytime concentrations and showed strong correlations (p < 0.01) with each other. The 24 h mean concentration of metals associated with PM(10) was found to be in the order of Ca (3,169.44) > Fe (747.23) > Zn (542.62) > Cu (454.03), > Pb (307.54) > Mn (83.90) > Co (78.69) > Cr (42.10) > Ni (41.47) > Cd (34.69) in ng m(-3) and all these values were found to be higher than the Pre Diwali (except Fe) and normal day. The metal concentrations on Diwali day were found to be significantly different than normal day (except Fe & Cu). The concentrations of Co, Ni, Cr and Cd on Diwali night were found to be significantly higher than daytime concentrations for Pre Diwali (control). The inter correlation of metals between Ca with Pb, Zn with Ni and Cr, Cu with Co, Co with Mn, Ni with Cd, Mn with Cd, Ni with Cd and Cr, and Cr with Cd showed significant relation either at p < 0.05 or P < 0.01 levels, which indicated that their sources were the same. The metals Cu, Co, Ni, Cr and Cd showed significant (p < 0.01) association with PM(10). These results indicate that fireworks during Diwali festival affected the ambient air quality adversely due to emission and accumulation of PM(10), SO(2), NO( x ) and trace metals.

Monitoring of ambient particles and heavy metals in a residential area of Seoul, Korea

In this study, ambient TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 in a residential area located in the northern part of Seoul were monitored every other month for 1 year from April 2005 to February 2006. The monthly average levels of TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 had ranges of 71 approximately 158, 40 approximately 106, and 28 approximately 43 microg/m(3), respectively. TSP and PM10 showed highest concentration in April; this seems to be due to Asian dust from China and/or Mongolia. However, the fine particle of PM2.5 showed a relatively constant level during the monitoring period. Heavy metals in PM 10 and PM2.5, such as Cr, As, Cd, Mn, Zn and Pb, were also analysed during the same period. The monthly average concentrations of heavy metal in PM2.5 were Cr:1.9 approximately 22.7 ng/m(3); As:0.9 approximately 2.5 ng/m(3); Cd: 0.6 approximately 7 ng/m(3); Mn:6.1 approximately 22.6 ng/m(3); Zn: 38.9 approximately 204.8 ng/m(3), and Pb: 21.6 approximately 201.1 ng/m(3). For the health risk assessment of heavy metals in ambient particles, excess cancer risks were calculated using IRIS unit risk. As a result, the excess cancer risks of chromium, cadmium, and arsenic were shown to be more than one per million based on the annual concentration of heavy metals, and chromium showed the highest excess cancer risk in ambient particles in Seoul.

Measurement and Source Identification of Trace Metals in PM2.5 and PM1 Collected by Multi-Nozzle Cascade Impactor in Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan

Measurement and Source Identification of Trace Metals in PM<SUB>2.5</SUB> and PM<SUB>1</SUB> Collected by Multi-Nozzle Cascade Impactor in Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan

Temporal determination of heavy metals in PM2.5 aerosols in a suburban site of Athens, Greece

Twenty-three hours samples of airborne aerosols PM2.5 were collected during summer (August–September) and winter (October–November) 2003 in a suburban area of Athens (Aghia Paraskevi), Greece. The objective of this study is the determination of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Ni, Pb, As) concentration in PM2.5. In particular, the mean daily concentrations of the five detected metals are compared to the limit values established by the E.U (Directive 96/62/E.U.) and correlated with the mean daily concentrations of PM2.5 as well as with meteorological parameters. Finally, the present work examines the daily levels of fine particles in comparison with the proposed limit values from the U.S. Environmental Pollution Agency (65 μg/m3) and investigates their interaction with other inorganic air pollutants. The concentrations of PM2.5 as well as the concentrations of the five heavy metals proved to be lower than the limit values. Additionally fine particles proved to be strongly influenced by the photochemical processes that take place during the hot days of the year. As far as the heavy metals are concerned, only Cd and Pb seem to be slightly correlated.

Estimation of selected heavy metals and arsenic in PM 10 aerosols in the ambient air of the Greater Athens Area, Greece

Aerosol samples of PM 10 were collected during summer and winter 2003 at two different sites in the Messogia Basin northeast of Athens, to demonstrate the variations of heavy metals in PM 10 and examine their relationship with both gaseous pollutants and meteorological parameters. Estimated heavy metals during the experimental campaign were mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As). The average heavy metal concentrations for the first site (Spata) constituted 0.66–14.7 ng/m 3 for the summer period and 0.14–19.5 ng/m 3 for the winter period. At the second site (Koropi), the corresponding values varied between 0.89 and 13.3 ng/m 3 and 0.16 and 24.7 ng/m 3, respectively. PM 10 Hg, PM 10 Cd and PM 10 Ni contents showed regular daily variations, with higher mass percentages during the summer, indicating differences in local PM 10 sources for each season. On the contrary, PM 10 Pb presented higher mass percentages during the winter. Examination of the relationship between heavy metals and meteorological parameters indicated a higher correlation with temperature and relative humidity, especially for Pb. In addition, most of the heavy metals (apart from Hg) presented an expected correlation with nitrate oxides (NO x ), PM 10 and ozone (O 3). Higher correlations with both meteorological parameters and gaseous pollutants were observed during the winter experimental campaign. Maximum heavy metal concentrations at both sites were observed during days with NE or NNE prevailing winds during the summer campaign, while the winter period was characterized with maximums during days with W or WNW prevailing winds.

PM10 Metal Distribution in an Industrialized City

1 Department of Bioenvironmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, 200, Chung-Pei Road, Chung-Li 320, Taiwan 2 Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan 3 Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, Wufong, Taichung 413, Taiwan 4 Department of Tourism Management, Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan

Source apportionment of PM10 at residential and industrial sites of an urban region of Kolkata, India

Abstract PM 10 and its chemical species mass concentrations were measured once in a week at residential (Kasba) and industrial (Cossipore) sites of an urban region of Kolkata for a period of 24 h during November 2003 to November 2004. At each monitoring site, 53 sets of daily average PM 10 samples were collected during the study period. Approximately 55% of the monitoring days are weekdays, while 45% are weekends. The PM 10 mass concentrations ranged from 68.2 to 280.6 μg m − 3 at the residential site, and 62.4 to 401.2 μg m − 3 at the industrial site. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds (PAH), fluoranthene (Fl), pyrene (Py), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) have been analyzed using Gas Chromatoghaphy. Metals in PM 10 deposited on quartz microfibre filter papers were measured using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer. Chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) are the seven toxic trace metals quantified from the measured PM 10 concentrations. Total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC) and organic carbon (OC) were analyzed using a Carbon analyzer. Exposed quartz microfibre filter papers were also analyzed for water-soluble anions of fluoride (F − ), chloride (Cl − ), nitrate (NO 3 − ), phosphate (PO 4 3− ) and sulfate (SO 4 2− ) using ion chromatography. In this study, principal component analysis (PCA)/absolute principal component scores (APCS) model was applied to the mass concentrations of PM 10 and its chemical species. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation identified five possible sources; solid waste dumping, vehicular emission, coal combustion, cooking and soil dust at residential site. The extracted possible sources at the industrial site were vehicular emissions, coal combustion, electroplating industry, tyre wear and secondary aerosol. A quantitative estimation by principal component analysis–multiple linear regression (PCA–MLR) model indicated that solid waste dumping contributed 36%, vehicular emissions 26%, coal combustion 13%, cooking 8% and soil dust 4% at the residential site. The PCA–MLR apportioned 37% to vehicular emissions, 29% to coal combustion, 18% to electroplating industry, 8% to tyre wear and 1% to secondary aerosol at the industrial site. Due to the limitation in source marker species analyzed, 13% at Kasba and 7% at Cossipore could not be apportioned to any possible sources by this technique.

Atmospheric levels and cytotoxicity of PAHs and heavy metals in TSP and PM 2.5 at an electronic waste recycling site in southeast China

Twenty-nine air samples of total suspended particles (TSP, particles less than 30–60 μm) and thirty samples of particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM 2.5) were collected at Guiyu, an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling site in southeast China from 16 August 2004 to 17 September 2004. The results showed that mass concentrations contained in TSP and PM 2.5 were 124±44.1 and 62.12±20.5 μg m −3, respectively. The total sum of 16 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with TSP and PM 2.5 ranged from 40.0 to 347 and 22.7 to 263 ng m −3, respectively. Five-ring and six-ring PAHs accounted for 73% of total PAHs. The average concentration of benzo(a) pyrene was 2–6 times higher than in other Asian cities. Concentrations of Cr, Cu and Zn in PM 2.5 of Guiyu were 4–33 times higher than in other Asian countries. In general, there were significant correlations between concentrations of individual contaminants in TSP with PM 2.5 (i.e. PAHs, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn except Ni and As). The high concentrations of both PAHs and heavy metals in air of Guiyu may impose a serious environmental and health concern. Cytotoxicity of the extract of TSP and PM 2.5 of ten 24 h samples collected against human promonocytic leukemia cell line U937 (ATCC 1593.2) was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide cytotoxicity assay. The results showed that under the same concentrations of extract, PM 2.5 cytotoxicity was 2–4 times higher than TSP.

Comparison of voltammetry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for the determination of heavy metals in PM 10 airborne particulate matter

The potential of the voltammetry method was examined for the determination of heavy metals in ambient air particulate matter (PM 10) on quartz filter. Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, As were determined by anodic stripping voltammetry while adsorptive stripping voltammetry was used for the analysis of Ni. The method detection limit of these metals were 9.3, 0.1, 0.8, 0.3, 0.4, 0.1 ng m −3 for Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and As, respectively. In addition, the analysis of a Certified Reference Material NIST 1648, yielded recoveries between 92% and 103%. Consequently, both the detection limit and recovery of the voltammetric method satisfy the requirements of the European Standard for the analyses of heavy metals in PM 10 (EN 14902). A comparison of the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and voltammetry method on the NIST 1648 and PM 10 filters showed the differences between them remained well within the level of uncertainty on the NIST 1648 requested by European Directives for heavy metals (25% for Pb and 40% for As, Cd and Ni, respectively). In addition to its compliance with legislations, the voltammetry method benefits from low investment cost and the potential of complete automation. As such, one may expect voltammetry to provide a reliable alternative to the European laboratories in charge of ambient air monitoring at the time when the European Directives require to measure heavy metals in PM 10 on a regularly basis.

Heavy Metals in PM10 Sampled in the Urban Area of Campi Salentina (Apulia, Southern Italy)

The following paper shows results of PM10 level and Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn concentrations present in this fraction for filters collected in the urban area of Campi Salentina (Apulia, Southern Italy) in 2004 in order to inquire into air quality. PM10 and lead concentrations did not exceed the standard values sanctioned by Italian Legislature with average values equal to 36.54 +/- 14.57 microg x m(-3) and 9.19 +/- 5.24 ng x m(-3) respectively. Significant correlations have been found between the pairs Fe-Mn, Ni-V, Cr-Ni and Cd-Cr. This suggests that these metals have a similar pollution source probably due to metallurgical activity. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that it is possible to distinguish the PM10 samples collected in sampling periods with different meteorological conditions. Indeed, metals concentration increases for samples characterized by scarce rains or by winds prevailing from North or North-West and is reduced due to different meteorological conditions, although there are some exceptions.