Air Particulate Samples Research Articles

Validating a Safe Built Environment in High Risk Areas Using Air Sampling Methodologies

<h3>Background</h3> Construction inside of a hospital environment creates risks by increasing the amount of airborne mold in the environment, posing significant health risks to immunocompromised patient populations. Despite implementing construction risk control measures, the completed built environment may have built environment issues that could allow for mold contamination in the high risk patient area. During hospital expansion construction a new OR region and new Stem Cell Transplant unit were built. Prior to opening these new areas, IPC created an extensive air sampling plan utilizing two air sampling methodologies as due diligence to assure a safe built environment for future high risk patient use. <h3>Methods</h3> An air sampling protocol was developed for the two high risk built environments. Particulate and viable air samples were collected by a third party and sent for lab processing. All results were reviewed by IPC; any mold growth was considered a failed test. <h3>Results</h3> Air sample results were reviewed by IPC. Following multiple iterations of failed testing, problem solving and retesting, significant issues with the built environment were identified; in the OR, air balance issues and window installation; in the stem cell unit, a penetration in HEPA filter bank, air balance issues and a patio overlook door with significant air leaks. Once all issues were corrected and final air samples were negative for mold, the built environment was considered safe for patient use. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Presence of mold can create major patient safety risks if not identified and corrected prior to operational use. Conducting targeted and intentional air sampling in these environments can be a reliable mechanism to identify and correct prior to any patient impact. The air sampling methodologies described here in as an important step in ensuring a new built high risk environment is safe and ready for patients.

Validation of particulate dispersion models by native lichens as point receptors: a case study from NE Italy.

Atmospheric dispersion model (ADM) simulations are increasingly used as management tools in air pollution monitoring programs, even in the absence of proper validation. Biomonitors can provide important information for ADM validation, but an open question is their temporal frame of application, particularly when native organisms are used. In this study, we tested two alternative ADM simulating the total suspended particulate (TSP) released by a coal power station, against the element content of two native lichens collected at 40 sites, integrated by soil samples. The ADM simulations differed by the time references: the 6-month period preceding lichen sampling, approximately corresponding to the estimated age of the samples (Mod. A), and the whole year 2005, representative of the local average conditions and used in the plant authorization processes (Mod. B). A generalized regression model analysis clearly showed that the Cr, Pb and V content of lichen samples was spatially associated to the outcomes of Mod. A, but not with Mod. B. Interestingly, the Cr content of lichen samples consistently correlated to TSP concentration predicted by Mod. A along two transects placed downwind from the coal power station. This result was corroborated by an air particulate matter sampling which pointed out that air Cr concentrations increased during the operative period of the source. Overall, our results suggest that lichen bioaccumulation data can proficiently be used to validate ADM simulations if the exposure time of the biological samples is consistent with the temporal domain of the ADM simulations.

Appalachian Environmental Health Literacy: Building Knowledge and Skills to Protect Health.

Environmental health literacy (EHL) is an emerging, multidisciplinary field that promotes understanding of how environmental exposures can affect human health. After discussing the regional relevance of environmental health knowledge and skills, this article describes three ongoing Appalachian projects that are focused on measuring and building EHL.

Characterization ionic species fine particulate samples in Indonesia by ion chromatography

Particulate is one indicator of air pollutants derivative from a complex mixture of large and small particles that are decomposed. Particulate diameter at 2.5 to 100 mm consists of dust originating from agriculture, building construction, and vehicles. Particulates with a diameter of less than 2.5 mm are generally made from fossil fuels and vehicle exhaust containing various specific chemicals or ions. In this activity, characterization of chemical content and specific ions in fine particulates was carried out in fine air particulate samples by ion chromatography. Sampling was carried out in several regions in Indonesia such as Pekanbaru, PalangkaRaya, Manado, Ambon, Jayapura, Denpasar, and Surabaya. The validation methods using reference materials. On the other hand, verification of measurements is carried out regularly with ED-XRF therefore accurate and precise quality can be obtained. The results of this activity obtained several cations and anions such as Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, SO4 2-, NO3 −, F−, and Cl−. The results obtained from this activity are expected to be used as basic data and scientific-based references for regional/national in formulating, taking appropriate and directed actions and policies to solve the problem of air pollution.

Air Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, and Elemental Concentrations and Source Apportionment in Calaca, Batangas

Urbanization is among the leading causes of increased air particulate pollution in Southeast Asia. This situation puts Calaca, Batangas – a first-class rural municipality transitioning to a renowned industrial hub – at risk of the harmful effects of air particulate matter (PM). To determine the composition and possible sources of air pollution in Calaca, ambient air particulate samples were collected from December 2018 to March 2019. A total of 52 filter samples, 26 each from the PM10–2.5 and PM2.5 fractions, were collected and analyzed for PM10, PM2.5, multiwavelength black carbon (BC), and elemental concentrations. Average PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations were 34.01 ± 12.03 μg/m3 and 10.62 ± 4.86 μg/m3, respectively. These concentrations comply with the annual National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values (NAAQGV) of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 but exceed the prescribed guideline value of the World Health Organization (WHO). Results from energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy, a nuclear analytical technique, showed 14 elements present in the PM2.5 fraction – namely S, Si, K, Fe, Ca, Al, Cl, Mn, Na, Ti, Zn, Ni, Sc, and Cu arranged in decreasing average concentrations. Average biomass (BBC) and vehicular black carbon (VBC) concentrations from multiwavelength analysis were 0.7 ± 0.3 μg/m3 and 0.7 ± 0.6 μg/ m3, respectively. By reconstructing masses using these data, contributions of different sources of air PM were determined to be salt (0.54%), soil (11.31%), (NH4)2SO4 (61.15%), VBC (6.33%), and BBC (6.28%). Conditional probability function (CPF) determined that sources of PM are likely located at the 30–60° and 180° directions from the sampling site. This study provides baseline data for the chemical composition and source identification of PM in Calaca, Batangas.

Atmospheric deposition and air-soil exchange of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a background site in Central China.

Jinsha (JSH) is one of the regional background sites in Central China. In this study, eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in atmospheric deposition samples (dry particle, wet particle, and wet dissolved), air (gaseous and particle) samples, and soil samples that were collected from March 2012 to March 2013. Of all eight PBDEs, BDE-209 was the most abundant congener in both deposition samples and air/soil samples. Average dry particle, wet particle, and wet dissolved deposition fluxes of Σ8PBDEs were 270 ± 310 pg m-2 day-1, 130 ± 210 pg m-2 day-1, and 250 ± 330 pg m-2 day-1, respectively, while those of BDE-209 were 210 ± 290 pg m-2 day-1, 80 ± 120 pg m-2 day-1, and 160 ± 290 pg m-2 day-1, respectively. Dry deposition velocities of individual PBDE ranged from 0.11 ± 0.15 cm s-1 (BDE-183) to 0.24 ± 0.38 cm s-1 (BDE-209), and total washout ratios ranged from 5.0 × 103 (BDE-28) to 4.2 × 104 (BDE-209). The calculated net air-soil gas exchange flux of Σ8PBDEs was - 16 ± 13 pg m-2 day-1, suggesting the deposition status of PBDEs. The gas exchange flux at the air-soil interface was significantly lower than the deposition flux, which only accounted for 2.5% of the total deposition flux, implying that atmospheric deposition was an important input pathway for PBDEs to soils. Overall, the pollution level of the soil was relatively low, and the soil serves as a sink for PBDEs from adjacent regions.

Identification of Potential Source Location of Sulfur at Urban Area Bandung using Conditional Probability Function (CPF)

Bandung area is known as the center of economic growth in West Java. Bandung is also surrounding by mountains, therefore the morphological form of its territory is like a giant bowl. The previous study showed that the concentration of Sulfur in air particulate matter from Bandung is high. The objective of this study is to examine the use of conditional probability function (CPF) to identify directions of Sulfur sources using data collected from Bandung. CPF method is an advanced tool that analyzes pollutant source contributions in relation to the winds at the site and has been applied to find source directions. Data collection were done by air particulate sampling using GENT Sampler for 24-hours, once a week in Bandung during 2012-2014. EDXRF technique was applied for Sulfur analysis. The CPF values for Sulfur presented in polar plots, for fine and coarse particles. From this polar plot, the contributions of Sulfur in fine particles were coming from all sectors in Bandung whereas, in coarse particles, Sulfur dominated from the northern sector of Bandung.

APPLICATION OF AN AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION SYSTEM WITH A GC/MS DATABASE (AIQS-DB) FOR SIMULTANEOUS ANALYSIS OF PHTHALATE ESTERS AND STEROLS IN AIR PARTICLES

The aim of this study is to apply an automated identification and quantification system with a GC-MS database (AIQS-DB) for simultaneous analysis of phthalate esters (PAEs) and sterols in air particles. Air particles samples were collected on the roof of building located by the side of a busy street with heavy traffic load (Pham Van Dong street) (AP1) and in a highly populated residential area (Phu Do town) (AP2). At each sampling location, day and night samples were collected separately (around 10 h for each sample) continuously 6 d using a Kimoto high-volume air sampler. Air particle samples were then extracted by dichloromethane and determined and quantified by GC/MS instrument with the AIQS-DB. Analytical results of 12 PAEs and 13 sterols in air particles samples showed that five out of 12 PAEs and seven out of 13 sterols were detected. Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) concentrations were highest, contributed 94% of the total detected phthalates concentration. Cholesterol and beta-sitosterol were detected in all the samples and accounted more than 70% of the total detected sterols concentration at Phu Do town. This is the first study on the application of AIQS-GC for simultaneous determination of PAE and sterols in the air particle, especially results obtained from this study provides new important information about the level and occurrence of sterol in air in Vietnam.

Target screening analysis of 970 semi-volatile organic compounds adsorbed on atmospheric particulate matter in Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam's rapid economic development has resulted in dramatic increases in construction and the number of transportation vehicles. There is now growing public concern regarding increasing air pollution, especially in big cities; however, little information is available on air quality, particularly regarding semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) adsorbed on atmospheric particulate matter. Here, we determined the frequency and concentrations of 970 SVOCs in 48 air particle samples collected by means of high-volume air sampling in Hanoi, Vietnam, by using a target screening method and a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry database. A total of 118 compounds (12.2% of the target compounds) were detected at least once in the samples, and the number of chemicals detected in each sample ranged from 85 to 103 (median, 92). For samples collected near a heavily trafficked road, the concentrations of target compounds in the samples were higher in samples collected during the day than in those collected at night, whereas the opposite was true for samples collected in a highly populated residential area with industrial activities related to the production of fresh noodles. Sixteen PAHs were detected at high concentrations in nearly 100% of the samples. Eighteen pesticides were detected, with permethrin being detected the most frequently (>70% samples), which can be explained by the use of permethrin-based Permecide 50 EC for dengue fever control during the sampling period. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (i.e., bisphenol A, 4-nitrophenol) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (diethyltoluamide, caffeine) were detected in over 90% of the samples. Seven sterols, five phthalate compounds and five organophosphorus flame retardants were detected in the samples. This is the first comprehensive survey of SVOCs adsorbed on atmospheric particulate matter in Vietnam, and as such, this study provides important new information about the frequency and concentrations of atmospheric SVOC contamination. The variety of chemicals detected in this study implies an abundance of pollution sources; further investigations to determine these pollution sources and the risks posed by the detected SVOCs to human health are warranted.

Sources of indoor air pollution at a New Zealand urban primary school; a case study

Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution and as they spend a large proportion of time at school, this is an important environment for children's exposure to air pollution. Understanding the factors that influence indoor air quality in schools is critical for the assessment and control of indoor air pollution. This study analysed the concentration and sources of air pollution at an urban primary school (5–11 years) in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Over a three-week period during spring, indoor measures of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were taken and hourly air particulate matter samples (PM2.5, PM10-2.5) were collected inside and outside for elemental speciation analysis. Indoor PM10 concentrations during the school day were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than outdoor concentrations 30.1 (range 10.0–75.0, SD 1.9) μg m−3 c.f. 8.9 (range <1.0–35.0, SD 6.8) μg m−3. Elemental analysis and receptor modelling of PM samples showed that indoor PM10 was primarily composed of crustal matter (soil) elements, possibly brought in on children's footwear. The primary driver of indoor PM2.5 was from the infiltration of outdoor pollutants inside, with by-products of motor vehicle emissions the main contributor to indoor PM2.5. There is a need for mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution at school, such as improved cleaning methods, reducing the use of carpet in schools and improved ventilation. The findings from this study will be applicable to many other schools and public buildings with high foot traffic.

An experimental search for a correlation between outdoor 222Rn concentration and 210Pb activity in air particulate samples

This work was aimed to search for a correlation between outdoor 222Rn air concentration and 210Pb activity in particulate samples collected on a filter. The existence of a correlation could support the hypothesis that both 222Rn and its long-lived product 210Pb are embedded into the same air masses and undergo the same air transport phenomena. Lead-210 activity was determined by means of gamma ray spectrometric measurement carried out a few days after the sampling whereas 222Rn concentration was measured through a commercial monitor. Experimental tests allowed to obtain a weak correlation between 222Rn and 210Pb air concentration as a preliminary result due to high uncertainties of outdoor 222Rn concentration measurements.

Validation of Miniaturized Particulate-Matter Real-Time Samplers for Characterizing Personal Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure.

This study validates the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in microgram levels of particulate matter (PM) collected on filters by two low-flow rate, real-time monitors, microPEM™ and microAeth®. Particle-associated PAHs were analyzed by a coupling of a gas chromatograph to a sensitive, atmospheric-pressure laser ionization-mass spectrometer. Air particulate samples were collected over the course of one or two days in the living room of a fourth-floor apartment in New York City. Three types of samplers, the two aforementioned personal samplers and a high-flow rate pump (4 liters per minute), were operated side by side, and three samples of each type were collected during each sampling period. Intrasampler agreement as measured by relative standard deviation (RSD) was within 1% to 18%. After background subtraction, total PAH measured by all three sampler types had good agreement (R=0.99). This ability to accurately characterize personal PAH exposure in archived filters collected by these real-time samplers could provide additional important PAH exposure information that can benefit many environmental health studies using these monitors.

Occurrence of benzothiazole, benzotriazole and benzenesulfonamide derivates in outdoor air particulate matter samples and human exposure assessment

Benzothiazole (BTHs), benzotriazole (BTRs) and benzenesulfonamide (BSAs) derivates are high production volume chemicals and they are used in several industrial and household applications, therefore it is expected their occurrence in various environments, especially water and air. In this study we developed a method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) to simultaneously determine four BTR, five BTH and six BSA derivates in the particulate matter (PM10) of outdoor air samples collected in quartz fibre filters (QFFs). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time these compounds have been determined in open ambient environments. Under optimised conditions, method recoveries at the lower and upper concentration levels (0.8 and 4.2 ng m−3) ranged from 70 to 120%, except for 1-H-benzothiazole and 2-chlorobenzothiazole, which were about 50%. The repeatability of the method was usually below 20% (n = 3, %RSD) for both concentration levels. This method enables the contaminants to be detected at pg m−3 concentration levels. Several samples from two different sites influenced by local industries showed that BTRs, followed by BTHs, were the most detected compounds, whereas BSAs were hardly found. The most frequently determined compounds were 1-H-benzothiazole, 2-chlorobenzothiazole, 1-H-benzotriazole, 2-hydroxibenzothiazole, 5,6-dimethyl-1-H-benzotriazole and the isomers 4- and 5-methyl-1-H-benzotriazole. With the concentrations found, the human exposure assessment and health risk characterization via ambient inhalation were also evaluated taking into account different subpopulation groups classified by age for the two sampling points.

An Integrated Ultrasonic Extraction and Cleanup Procedure for Determining PAHs and NPAHs in Ambient Air Particulates

An analytical method was developed for the determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 15 nitrated PAHs (NPAHs) in ambient air particulates by applying an in-house built integrated ultrasonic extraction device followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). After integrated ultrasonic extraction in the extraction cell, the extract solution was released through the opened valve into a purification tube containing adsorbents for purification, then concentrated and analyzed by GC–MS. Compared to previously reported methods, such as Soxhlet extraction and accelerated solvent extraction, this method has greatly shortened the pretreatment time, simplified the pretreatment process, and reduced experimental costs. A series of experimental conditions, including extraction solvent, adsorbents, and elution solvent, were systematically studied and optimized. Owing to its superior ability in purifying particulate matter samples, a combination of flower-like-texture Mg–Al layered double oxide (Mg–Al-LDO) and silica gel was selected as the optimized adsorbent. To our knowledge, few reports on this combination of materials exist. The limits of detection (LODs) of 16 PAHs and 15 NPAHs ranged from 0.018 to 1.7 and from 0.035 to 0.60 ng g−1, respectively. Limits of quantifications (LOQs) were from 0.061 to 5.7 and 0.12 to 2.0 ng g−1 for 16 PAHs and 15 NPAHs, respectively. Recoveries at three spiked concentration levels ranged from 81.6 to 116%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 6.5% in all cases. The proposed analytical method was proved to be practical and suitable technique for PAH and NPAH analysis in real ambient air particulate samples.

AMBIENT CONCENTRATIONS OF ELEMENTAL AND ORGANIC CARBON IN URBAN AND SUBURBAN ATMOSPHERES IN ESKİSEHİR: ESTIMATION OF THE SECONDARY ORGANIC CARBON

Ambient air particulate matter samples were collected from urban and suburban sites of Eskişehir in 2012. Samples were collected concurrently from both sites between 26 th of February and 20 th of December 2012. Mass concentrations of particulate matter (fine particles- PM 2.5 , coarse particles- PM 2.5-10 and total suspended particulate matter- TSP ) were determined. TSP samples were analyzed by Thermal Optical Carbon Analyzer to determine elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC) and total carbon (TC) concentrations. It was found that 4.9% of the TSP is composed of EC, and 13.6 % is OC in urban sampling point. EC and OC contributions in suburban sampling points were 2.7% and 9.6% respectively. OC/EC ratio was found to be almost 1.5 times higher in suburban sampling site compared to urban sampling site. EC tracer method was used to estimate the contribution of Secondary Organic Carbon (SOC). The SOC percent of TSP was estimated as 7.1 % and 5.6 % for the urban and suburban locations respectively.

Corrosion performance of aluminium in atmospheric, underground and seawater splatter zone in the northeastern coast of Arabian Peninsula

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the atmospheric corrosion behavior of aluminium (Al) exposed to the industrial and coastal environments of northeastern Arabian Peninsula for a period of 15 months.Design/methodology/approachThe samples were exposed under atmospheric, underground and splatter zone conditions at the coastal region. Soil, groundwater, seawater and air particulate samples obtained from the exposure site were analyzed. Secondary electron microscopy was used to identify and study the microstructural features of the corrosion products formed at the surface of the test coupons. The corrosion rates of the samples were determined by the weight loss method.FindingsThe results showed that Al exhibited a moderate corrosion rate despite high degree of variation in temperature and humidity and large concentrations of chloride and sulfate in this region. Splatter zone environment was the most corrosive because of high chloride concentrations in seawater and the alternating wetting–drying cycles.Originality/valueIn this paper, corrosion of Al was evaluated in atmospheric, soil and splatter zone conditions along the northeastern coast of Arabian Peninsula and was also compared with the results of the test reported for other international locations.

Source apportionment of ambient fine and coarse particulate matter at the Fort McKay community site, in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada.

An ambient air particulate matter sampling study was conducted at the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) AMS-1 Fort McKay monitoring station in the Athabasca Oil Sand Region (AOSR) in Alberta, Canada from February 2010 to July 2011. Daily 24h integrated fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10-2.5) particulate matter was collected using a sequential dichotomous sampler. Over the duration of the study, 392 valid daily dichotomous PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 sample pairs were collected with concentrations of 6.8±12.9μgm-3 (mean±standard deviation) and 6.9±5.9μgm-3, respectively. A subset of 100 filter pairs was selected for element analysis by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Application of the U.S. EPA positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model to the study data matrix resolved five PM2.5 sources explaining 96% of the mass including oil sands upgrading (32%), fugitive dust (26%), biomass combustion (25%), long-range Asian transport lead source (9%), and winter road salt (4%). An analysis of historical PM2.5 data at this site shows that the impact of smoke from wildland fires was particularly high during the summer of 2011. PMF resolved six PM10-2.5 sources explaining 99% of the mass including fugitive haul road dust (40%), fugitive oil sand (27%), a mixed source fugitive dust (16%), biomass combustion (12%), mobile source (3%), and a local copper factor (1%). Results support the conclusion of a previous epiphytic lichen biomonitor study that near-field atmospheric deposition in the AOSR is dominated by coarse fraction fugitive dust from bitumen mining and upgrading operations, and suggest that fugitive dust abatement strategies targeting the three major sources of PM10-2.5 (e.g., oil sand mining, haul roads, bulk material stockpiles) would significantly reduce near-field atmospheric deposition gradients in the AOSR and reduce ambient PM concentrations in the Fort McKay community.

Target and suspect screening of OH-PAHs in air particulates using liquid chromatography-orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry

Up until now, the methods used for determination of hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air particulate samples have been target methods, only determining compounds with available reference standards. In this present study, a combined target and suspect screening strategy for the analysis of hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was developed, utilizing liquid chromatography coupled to orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry. The target screening included simultaneous determination of nine hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, while additional eight hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon masses were screened for using the suspect screening. The target screening was validated with respect to linearity, limits of detection and quantification and matrix effects. The calibration curves ranged from 0.01 to 10ng/mL, the method limits of detection and quantification were in the rage of 0.001– 0.018pg/m3 and 0.006 – 0.061pg/m3, respectively, while matrix effects ranged from 83% to 104%. For the suspect screening, a list with expected precursor ions created from suspect monoisotopic masses was used. The suspects were then identified by the accurate exact mass, with a mass accuracy threshold <5ppm, molecular formula, isotopic pattern, and mass spectra (fragments) and also semi-quantified in order to obtain information on their relative levels in different matrixes. The developed strategy was applied on five air particulate samples collected from an urban background and five samples from a car tunnel in Stockholm (Sweden). In total 20 hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected, of which nine compounds were determined using the target screening and 11 were tentatively identified and semi-quantified using the suspect screening strategy. The concentrations of the target compounds ranged from 20.7 to 96.9pg/m3, for most of the analytes the concentrations in particles from car tunnel were slightly higher than in urban air particles. The levels of most of the tentatively identified compounds were also slightly higher in particles from the car tunnel.

Quartz in ash, and air in a high lung cancer incidence area in China

Exposure to crystalline silica (quartz) has been implicated as a potential cause of the high lung cancer rates in the neighbouring counties of Xuanwei and Fuyuan, China, where the domestic combustion of locally sourced “smoky” coal (a bituminous coal) is responsible for some of the highest lung cancer rates in the nation, irrespective of gender or smoking status. Previous studies have shown that smoky coal contains approximately twice as much quartz when compared to alternative fuels in the area, although it is unclear how the quartz in coal relates to household air pollution.Samples of ash and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were collected from 163 households and analysed for quartz content by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Additionally, air samples from 12 further households, were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate particle structure and silica content.The majority (89%) of household air samples had undetectable quartz levels (<0.2 μg/m3) with no clear differences by fuel-type. SEM analyses indicated that there were higher amounts of silica in the smoke of smoky coal than smokeless coal (0.27 μg/m3 vs. 0.03 μg/m3). We also identified fibre-like particles in a higher concentration within the smoke of smoky coal than smokeless coal (5800 fibres/m3 vs. 550 fibres/m3). Ash analysis suggested that the bulk of the quartz in smoky coal went on to form part of the ash.These findings indicate that the quartz within smoky coal does not become adequately airborne during the combustion process to cause significant lung cancer risk, instead going on to form part of the ash. The identification of fibre-like particles in air samples is an interesting finding, although the clinical relevance of this finding remains unclear.

Comparison of chemical compositions in air particulate matter during summer and winter in Beijing, China.

The development of industry in Beijing, the capital of China, particularly in last decades, has caused severe environmental pollution including particulate matter (PM), dust-haze, and photochemical smog, which has already caused considerable harm to local ecological environment. Thus, in this study, air particle samples were continuously collected in August and December, 2014. And elements (Si, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Ba, Pb and Ti) and ions ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], F-, Cl-, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and [Formula: see text]) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and ion chromatography. According to seasonal changes, discuss the various pollution situations in order to find possible particulate matter sources and then propose appropriate control strategies to local government. The results indicated serious PM and metallic pollution in some sampling days, especially in December. Chemical Mass Balance model revealed central heating activities, road dust and vehicles contribute as main sources, account for 5.84-32.05% differently to the summer and winter air pollution in 2014.