Seasonal changes, identification and source apportionment of PAH in PM 1.0 (original) (raw)
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Seasonal variation of PAHs concentration and source attribution through diagnostic ratios analysis
Urban Climate, 2015
An extensive monitoring campaign was conducted between November 2011 and July 2012 at schools, homes, offices and Regional air quality network stations in Rome, within the LIFE+ EXPAH Project. This study allowed to improve the knowledge of actual concentrations and percent composition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) over the city area. High concentrations of all PAH congeners were observed during winter colder periods, e.g. benzo[a]pyrene weekly average concentration reached 3.0 ng/m 3 , while much lower values were recorded in summer (<0.1 ng/m 3), with seasonal variability (winterto-summer ratios R) exceeding 10. This latter value was larger than that recorded for other pollutants including PM 2.5 (R 2.5). Also the percent composition of PAHs in particulates and the rates of diagnostic concentration ratios between selected congeners changed along the year, allowing to draw insights about the predominant sources and their respective importance. In particular, biomass burning for heating purposes was identified as the prevailing PAH source during winter and vehicle traffic in summer. Discrepancies between PAH profiles estimated from the emission inventory and observations were detected, with possible implication for modelling of PAH congeners.
Environmental Research, 2009
The present work studied how much the meteorological parameters and the emission sources can influence the particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Invalid Journal Information PAHs) concentrations in two areas located in Southern Italy (Bari and Taranto). It was found that when the vehicular traffic is the main source of PAHs, there is a negative correlation between ambient temperature, wind speed and PAHs concentration (Bari). This is because these parameters are generally correlated with the dispersion capacity of the atmosphere. In the presence of a large industrial area, the wind direction becomes an important parameter able to determinate large changes in PAHs concentrations. This happened in Taranto where PAHs concentrations are exceptionally high. During the study the seasonal trend of particulate PAHs and PM10 was compared. PM10 did not show a significant seasonal cycle during the year because it is conditioned from a high regional aerosol background, especially during the summertime. On the contrary, particulate PAHs exerted distinct seasonal variation with higher concentrations in the winter and lower concentration during other months of the year. This evidence suggested that PAHs concentrations can be considered a more reliable index for air-quality assessment. In order to identify an index that considers the contributions of other particulate PAHs, it is necessary to calculate the carcinogenic potency of total PAHs (i.e., total BaPeq) obtained by the sum of the benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (BaPeq) for each PAH.
Water Air and Soil Pollution, 2008
A 12 months study on urban atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contained in the particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM10) was carried out in Zaragoza (Spain) from July 12th, 2001 to July 26th, 2002 by using a high-volume air sampler able to collect the PAH supported on a Teflon-coated fibre glass filter. Samples were analysed by using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). PAH of high molecular weight, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IcdP), benzo[g,h,i]perylene (BghiP) and coronene (Co) were the most abundant compounds. The concentrations of benz[a]pyrene equivalent carcinogenic power (BaP-eq) showed a mean value of 0.7 ng/m3 with 22.5% of the samples exceeding the 1.0 ng/m3 guide value established by the European Directive. These episodes were mainly produced during cold season. Regarding meteorological variables, a positive effect of the prevalent wind “cierzo” (NW direction) over the Zaragoza city was confirmed from the environmental point of view. The NE, E and S directions, corresponding to highway and industrial areas were the directions showing the high PAH atmospheric concentrations. Despite the proximity of a high-level traffic highway, stationary sources related to industry were the dominant source of PAH in the sampled area. Vehicular emissions and natural gas home heating also contributed to PAH concentrations. The predominance of local pollution sources versus long-range transport on PAH concentrations was shown. However, the contribution of long-range transport of anthropogenic origin from other European areas was reflected for specific dates on PAH concentrations and PM10 levels.
The concentrations of thirteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and six trace elements adsorbed to a fine fraction of particulate matter (PM ≤ 2.5 µm) were determined at an urban site in Tehran (Iran) during the spring period in 2013. The average concentration of PM 2.5 was 41.19 µg/m 3 , which was 1.64 and 1.2 times higher than the annual average of WHO guidelines and EPA ambient air quality standards, respectively. The trace elements measured in the PM 2.5 samples were Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, As and Zn with the mean concentrations of 38.05, 18.2, 4.24, 4.19, 1.34, and 69:92 ng/m 3 respectively. Hg wasnot found in any sample in this study. Results from correlation tests between PM2.5 concentrations and different toxic metals; which were studied in various days of the week, including holidays, 1 day after the holidays, and the other days showed that the variability between groups were significant at the 0.05 level. Exception is Hg and Zn. The mean concentrations of PM 2.5 and trace elements in 1 day after the holidays were higher compared other 2 groups. Total PAHs concentrations in PM 2.5 were found to be 7.92 ng/m 3 .The most abundant PAHs found were high molecular weight homologues (4-6 ring PAHs) such as Inp, Bgp, Dba, Bkf and Bbf, which are contributing to constituents of vehicular emissions. In general, high molecular weight PAHs are more correlated than low molecular weight PAHs. Moreover a moderate correlation was observed between total PAH concentration and PM 2.5 mass.
Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, 2018
The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of persistent pollutants that are globally distributed. The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to analyze the levels of the priority PAHs in the PM 2.5 fraction of air: naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzoanthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzoanthracene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, indenepyrene, acenaphthylene, in two urban industrial areas of the province of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain), (2) to describe seasonal variation, and (3) to identify the source of PAHs. The ∑PAH concentrations ranged from 0.85 to 9.86 ng/m 3. We found statistical differences between sites of sampling (p < 0.05), with higher values in Azpeitia. The median value of benzo(a)pyrene was 0.05 ng/m 3 (ranged from 0.05 to 1.12 ng/m 3), lower than the threshold set by the European legislation. Statistical differences were found (p < 0.05) in relation to seasonal variation, with the highest levels registered in winter and in autumn. PAH ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that probably the vehicular emissions are the predominant source of PAHs.
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2020
Given that the European Union lays down air quality objectives associated with outdoor environments, indoor air mixtures' study acquires a remarkable relevance. This work aims to submit a stepwise methodological framework for assessing similarities between indoor and outdoor air mixtures and apportioning potential emission sources. For reaching this goal, PM 10 particles were systematically and simultaneously collected at an indoor (dominant emission sources free) and outdoor environment during a year to determine the PAH content in both air mixtures. Broadly, outdoor PAHs levels were higher than at the indoor location, supporting a strong association between both mixtures (r = 0.968, p > 0.001), mainly during the cold period (r = 0.896, p > 0.001). The light molecular weight PAHs were highlighted at the indoor site, in particular to naphthalene and anthracene. Outdoor emission sources influenced the indoor PAH levels, especially high and medium molecular weight PAHs. The local-traffic load was identified as a dominant pollution source responsible for more than half PAHs determined at both environments. Therefore, the control of outdoor emission sources would be translated into an improvement of indoor air quality. Keywords Air quality • Indoor vs outdoor • Airborne PAH • Mixture likeness • Apportionment of sources Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are semivolatile compounds comprising two or more fused aromatic rings made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are generated coming from the incomplete combustion of organic material and are widely distributed into the atmosphere. Their sources are usually associated with anthropogenic activities in an urban environment, such as industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and gas/coal heating systems. PAHs have received special consideration as they have been identified as carcinogenic, teratogenic, and genotoxic (Ross 2005). Given that they can be inhaled by human beings (Mesquita et al. 2014), their assessment is mandatory in the European Member States. In this context, current European legislation
A wintertime study of PAHs in fine and coarse aerosols in São Paulo city, Brazil
Atmospheric Environment, 2005
The Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and benzo(ghi)perylene) concentrations in fine (PM 2.5 ) and coarse (PM 2.5-10 ) atmospheric particulate matter were measured at Sa˜o Paulo city, Brazil. The dominant PAH compounds were indeno(1,2,3cd)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene and benzo(b)fluoranthene for both the fractions. The calculated ratios of some specific PAHs were in close agreement with those attributed to direct emissions of car exhaust. The factor analysis for PM 2.5 produced four factors: Factor 1 was attributed to diesel emissions, Factor 2 was attributed to stationary combustion source, Factor 3 was attributed to vehicular emissions and Factor 4 to natural gas combustion and biomass burning. For PM 2.5-10 , Factor 1 was attributed to vehicular emissions and Factor 2 was attributed to a mixture of combustion sources such as natural gas combustion, incineration emissions and oil combustion. Also, vehicular emissions were assumed to be the major source of PAHs in the Sa˜o Paulo city atmosphere. r
Pollution Sources and Carcinogenic Risk of PAHs in PM1 Particle Fraction in an Urban Area
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
Airborne particles are composed of inorganic species and organic compounds. PM1 particles, with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 1 μm, are considered to be important in the context of adverse health effects. Many compounds bound to particulate matter, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), are suspected to be genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic. In this study, PAHs in the PM1 particle fraction were measured for one year (1/1/2018–31/12/2018). The measuring station was located in the northern residential part of Zagreb, the Croatian capital, close to a street with modest traffic. Significant differences were found between PAH concentrations during cold (January–March, October–December) and warm (April–September) periods of the year. In general, the mass concentrations of PAHs characteristic for car exhausts (benzo(ghi)perylene (BghiP), indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IP), and benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF)) were higher during the whole year than concentrations of fluoranthene (Fl...
Aerosol and Air Quality Research
The most prevalent pollutant, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is now plenteously distributed in the global atmosphere. We recently quantified 36 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with aerosols (particulate matter: PM) in five Asian cities: Tokyo (Japan), Beijing (China), Kolkata (India), Hanoi (Vietnam), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Average atmospheric PAH concentrations (∑12 PAHs-ng m -3 ) increased in the order of Kuala Lumpur (2.99) ≈ Tokyo (3.95) < Hanoi (7.99) << Kolkata (63.5) << Beijing (142.8). The most abundant PAHs in PM samples in these cities were chrysene, benz[a]anthracene, benzofluoranthenes, benzo[a]pyrene, and benzo[e]pyrene. We used the PAH compositions, especially the relative abundances of alkylated PAHs, and hopanes to determine vehicle exhaust-derived PAHs, and levoglucosan as a tracer for biomass burning, especially from wood combustion. Vehicle exhaust contributed to atmospheric PAHs in all cities, indicated by higher ratios of (C 30 17α)/total PAHs and MPAHs/PAHs than coal and wood combustion products. Coal combustion contributed also in winter aerosols in Beijing, indicated by higher abundance of β isomers i.e., 17β21β (H)-C 30 hopane (C 30 17β) and 17β21β (H)-C 29 hopane (C 29 17β) signifying mass use of coal for heating. The ratio of levoglucosan/PAHs was high in Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi, suggesting greater inputs of PAHs from biomass burning there.
Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 2016
In this study, polyurethane foam passive air samplers (PUF-PAS) were deployed to evaluate the atmospheric concentration levels and ambient exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Gujranwala, Lahore and Rawalpindi districts of the Punjab Province (Pakistan). The PAHs were extracted from the PUFs disks using Soxhlet extraction assembly, and were further concentrated using rotary evaporator, purified on a column, packed with alumina/silica, and eluted with a solution of dichloromethane:hexane (1:1 v:v). The PAHs quantification was carried out gas-chromatograph equipped with a mass-spectrometer (GC-MS). Regression scatter plots and molecular diagnostic ratios were used to identify and characterize the emission of PAH species from different sources. Among all detected PAHs, a high concentration of naphthalene (Naph) was observed in Lahore (327 pg m -3 ) and Rawalpindi (316 pg m -3 ) cities followed by phenanthrene, banzo(a)pyrene, pyrene, benzo(b)florenthene and benzo(k)flourenthene. Our findings revealed that the low molecular weight (LM)-PAHs in Rawalpindi and Gujranwala cities could have possibly originated from a local petroleum refinery and vehicular emissions respectively, whereas the high molecular weight (HM)-PAHs observed in Wazirabad, could be largely related to both biomass and traffic emissions. Results also showed that ~88 percent of the atmospheric PAHs could be attributed to the wood combustions (R 2 = 0.88), out of which more than 50 percent of wood combustion were possibly with the brick kiln sector (R 2 = 0.53).
Characterization and source apportionment of particulate PAHs in the roadside environment in Beijing
2014
Continuous measurements of atmospheric organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) were taken during the high-pollution fall and winter seasons at Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China from September 2003 through February 2004. Battery-powered mini-volume samplers collected PM 2.5 samples daily and PM 10 samples every third day. Samples were also obtained from the plumes of residential coal combustion, motor-vehicle exhaust, and biomass burning sources. These samples were analyzed for OC/EC by thermal/optical reflectance (TOR) following the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IM-PROVE) protocol. OC and EC levels at Xi'an are higher than most urban cities in Asia. Average PM 2.5 OC concentrations in fall and winter were 34.1±18.0 µg m −3 and 61.9±33.2 µg m −3 , respectively; while EC concentrations were 11.3±6.9 µg m −3 and 12.3±5.3 µg m −3 , respectively. Most of the OC and EC were in the PM 2.5 fraction. OC was strongly correlated (R>0.95) with EC in the autumn and moderately correlated (R=0.81) with EC during winter. Carbonaceous aerosol (OC×1.6+EC) accounted for 48.8%±10.1% of the PM 2.5 mass during fall and 45.9±7.5% during winter. The average OC/EC ratio was 3.3 in fall and 5.1 in winter, with individual OC/EC ratios nearly always exceeding 2.0. The higher wintertime OC/EC corresponded to increased residential coal combustion for heating. Total carbon (TC) was associated with source contributions using absolute principal component analysis (APCA) with eight thermally-derived carbon fractions. During fall, 73% of TC was attributed to gasoline engine exhaust, 23% to diesel exhaust, and 4% to biomass burning. During winter, 44% of TC was attributed to gasoline engine exhaust, 44% to coal Correspondence to: J. J. Cao (cao@loess.llqg.ac.cn) burning, 9% to biomass burning, and 3% to diesel engine exhaust.
Chemical Industry & Chemical Engineering Quarterly, 2015
Exposure to increased concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with adverse health problems and specifically with carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The major PAH sources outdoors are: stationary sources from industry (power plants, incineration, local industry) and domestic sources as the residential heating, burning and pyrolysis of coal, oil, gas, garbage, wood, or other organic substances mobile emissions (diesel and petrol engines), biomass burning and agricultural activities (e.g., open burning of brushwood, straw, stubble). The aim of this study was to assess potential differences in particle-bound PAH levels and source contribution between summer 2009 and 2012 sampling campaigns done at the same location in Belgrade urban area. The sampling location is considered representative for a mix of residential, business and industrial areas of New Belgrade, an urban area that has been under rapid development. The average concentrations of PM 10 are slightly higher in summer 2012 than in 2009. PM-bound PAH follow the same trend as the PM indicating an increasing strength of PAH sources relative to all PM sources. Appling positive matrix factorization, three potential sources of PAHs in the atmosphere were distinguished: 1) stationary sources, 2) traffic (diesel and gasoline vehicle exhaust) and 3) local open burning sources (OBS). The analysis confirmed higher contribution of traffic and lower of OBS in summer 2012 than in 2009, reflecting higher traffic volumes and absence of or lower local OBS emissions due to burning wood, grass and domestic waste in 2012.
Atmospheric Environment, 2006
The concentrations of 16 US-EPA criteria polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were monitored during different seasons at six different cities/ locations in the northern part of Belgium. Pressurized liquid extraction was used for the fast recovery of PAHs from quartz fibre filters (QFFs) and polyurethane foams (PUFs) in less than 30 minutes with minimum solvent consumption prior to their analysis with high performance liquid chromatography. The concentrations of PAHs varied significantly at the studied sites and showed relation to different anthropogenic activities, such as vehicular emission (diesel/gasoline), incinerator, petroleum/oil burning, coke production, and wood/coal combustion. The annual average PAH concentration ranged from 17 ng/m 3 (at a rural site) to 114 ng/m 3 (near a petroleum harbour and industry). Most of the human carcinogenic PAHs were found to be associated with suspended particulate matter, which 2 forms around ~55% of the total PAH levels in aerosols. Relatively higher concentrations of PAHs were detected in aerosol samples during winter compared with other seasons, whereas no clear seasonal trend was observed for the vapour phase PAHs. This fraction is likely to be more local in origin; hence, it can be used as a site-specific characteristic. The site-specific concentrations of individual PAHs were also used in diagnostic ratio evaluations and in principal component analysis to find their relation with various anthropogenic activities. These results show that the vehicular emission is a major source of PAHs in Flanders, although other anthropogenic sources, as above, have also an impact on the total PAH levels.
Atmospheric Research, 2008
Atmospheric PAH concentrations were determined in Gulbahce district of Bursa, Turkey between August 2004 and April 2005. Measured PAH concentrations were classified as heating and non-heating season samples. The concentrations of total PAHs in heating season were almost ten times higher than those in non-heating season. Diagnostic ratios and factor analysis results show that in the heating season traffic along with residential heating emissions heavily influence PAH concentrations. The plot of logK p versus logP L 0 for all the data set of heating and non-heating season samples gave significantly different slopes. The slope for the heating season samples (− 0.92) was steeper than the one for the non-heating season samples (− 0.78). The partitioning results for individual samples further indicated that slope values varied depending on air parcel trajectories. Air parcels traveled over water (either over the Black Sea or Aegean Sea) prior to arriving at the sampling site had less steep slopes. Partitioning of PAHs was also investigated by comparing experimentally determined K p values with the results obtained both from octanol-based model (K p (Oct.)) and soot and octanol-based model (K p (Soot + Oct.)). Both models were useful in predicting the experimental K p values. However, they did not explain the observed variability in the experimental K p values.
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 2012
A set of 72 PM10 samples from lowpolluted urban and rural locations belonging to the regional air monitoring network of Extremadura (Spain) were collected in a 1 year sampling period. Sample pre-treatment and analytical determination by gas chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry were optimised and validated for the analysis of the priority 16 US Environmental Protection Agency polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The influence of meteorological conditions (temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation) and other atmospheric pollutants (O3, NO2, SO2, PM10) has been covered in detail and Pearson correlation test were used for this purpose. Spatial distribution of particulate PAHs was evaluated and the comparison with other European sites was also established. Possible emission sources were identified and assigned by using molecular diagnostic criteria.
PM 2.5 and PAH Concentrations in Urban Atmosphere of Tiruchirappalli, India
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Airborne PM 2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to it were determined from March 2009 to February 2010 at different locations in Tiruchirappalli City, Southern India using fine particulate sampler and high performance liquid chromatography. Average ∑9 PAHs concentrations at four sampling stations were 333.7, 202.6, 265.9, and 232.7 ng/m3, respectively. Highest concentration of PAHs was observed during northeast monsoon season (301.5 ng/m3) and lowest in southwest monsoon (216 ng/m3). Low and medium molecular weight PAHs such as phenanthrene, anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene were observed in all seasons. Principal compound analysis revealed gasoline and diesel vehicular emissions as major sources for PAHs compounds.
Short communication Seasonal variation of PM10-bound PAHs in the atmosphere of Xiamen, China
2000
PM10 samples from a garden site (site A), an industrial-traffic intersection (site B), a residential site (site C) and an island site (site D) were collected at December 21-29, 2004; March 18-22, 2005; July 4-13, 2005 and October 24-28, 2005 in Xiamen. 15 priority PAHs compounds were analyzed by using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The abundance and origin of
Characterization of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Atlanta
Atmospheric Environment, 2009
Twenty-four hour PM 2.5 samples from a rural site, an urban site, and a suburban site (next to a major highway) in the metropolitan Atlanta area in December 2003 and June 2004 were analyzed for 19 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Extraction of the air samples was conducted using an accelerated solvent extraction method followed by isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry determination. Distinct seasonal variations were observed in total PAH concentration (i.e. significantly higher concentrations in December than in June). Mean concentrations for total particulate PAHs in December were 3.16, 4.13, and 3.40 ng m À3 for the urban, suburban and rural sites, respectively, compared with 0.60, 0.74, and 0.24 ng m À3 in June. Overall, the suburban site, which is impacted by a nearby major highway, had higher PAH concentration than did the urban site. Total PAH concentrations were found to be well correlated with PM 2.5 , organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) in both months (r 2 ¼ 0.36-0.78, p < 0.05), although the slopes from the two months were different. PAHs represented on average 0.006% of total PM 2.5 mass and 0.017% of OC in June, compared with 0.033% of total PM 2.5 and 0.14% of OC in December. Total PAH concentrations were also correlated with potassium ion (r 2 ¼ 0.39, p ¼ 0.014) in December, but not in June, suggesting that in winter biomass burning can potentially be an important source for particulate PAH. Retene was found at a higher median air concentration at the rural site than at the urban and suburban sitesdunlike the rest of the PAHs, which were found at lower levels at the rural site. Retene also had a larger seasonal difference and had the weakest correlation with the rest of the PAHs measured, suggesting that retene, in particular, might be associated with biomass burning.
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MATEC Web of Conferences
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 (ΣPAH carc /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.
Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health
Size distribution of toxicants in airborne particulates remains insufficiently investigated in Algeria. A 1-year campaign was performed at Bab Ezzouar, Algiers (Algeria), aimed at characterizing particulates for their physical and chemical features. For this purpose, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy (RaS), and GC-MS methodologies were applied. The samples were collected on daily basis by means of a high-volume sampling (HVS) system equipped with cascade impactor separating three size fractions, i.e., particles with aerodynamic diameters d < 1.0 μm (PM 1), 1.0 μm <d<2.5 μm (PM 2.5), and 2.5 μm <d<10 μm (PM 10), respectively. The organic fraction was recovered from substrate through solvent extraction in an ultrasonic bath, separated and purified by column chromatography, then analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Investigation was focused on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the concentration ratios suitable to investigate the source nature. Further information was drawn from SEM and Raman analyses. Total PAH concentrations ranged broadly throughout the study period (namely, from 4.1 to 59.7 ng m-3 for PM 1 , from 2.72 to 32.3 ng m-3 for PM 2.5 and from 3.30 to 32.7 ng m-3 for PM 10). Both approaches and principal component analysis (PCA) of data revealed that emission from vehicles was the most important PAH source, while tobacco smoke provided an additional contribution.
Air Pollution: monitoring, quantification and removal of gases and particles [Working Title]
This chapter intends to contribute to the understanding of the multiple aspects related to particulate matter (PM) in an air urban environment, in particular, regarding its impact on human health. A general overview of variables and key factors is presented to identify, relate, and understand the diverse and multidisciplinary variables that contribute to PM concentration in urban environments associated with health impacts. This relation is difficult to quantify, given the numerous variables that are interlinked due to the multidisciplinary aspects involved. Our aim is to identify the main multidisciplinary aspects, namely, meteorology, urban geometry, buildings, roads and footpaths, road traffic, industries, air concentration measurements, and health. The main strategic aspects for decision making related to airborne PM impact on health are also discussed.
Processes
The main objective of this study was to examine the chemical characteristics, possible sources, and health risks of fine particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Baoshan area of Shanghai. Here, ambient particles with five-size ranges were collected during the spring and late summer of 2017. The PAHs were determined by the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Our results showed that the average mass concentration of 13 species of PAHs in spring and in late summer was 4.83 (1.88~12.1) ng/m3 and 4.27 (2.09~5.75) ng/m3 in Total Suspended Particles (TSPs), respectively. The higher PAH ratios (PM1.1/TSPs) indicated that PAHs are mainly concentrated in PM1.1, especially in late summer. The values of BaA/(BaA+CHR) were under 0.50 and IcdP/(IcdP+BghiP) were in range from 0.20 to 0.50 for TSP and PM1.1, suggesting that petroleum combustion and diesel emissions could be considered as key sources of PAHs, which tend to be associated with PM1.1. Moreover, the Princi...
Molecules, 2021
This paper assesses the occurrence, distribution, source, and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their methylated form (Me-PAHs) in sewage sludge from 10 WWTPs in Northeastern China was noted. The concentrations of ∑PAHs, ∑Me-PAHs ranged from 567 to 5040 and 48.1 to 479 ng.g−1dw, which is greater than the safety limit for sludge in agriculture in China. High and low molecular weight 4 and 2-ring PAHs and Me-PAHs in sludge were prevalent. The flux of sludge PAHs and Me-PAHs released from ten WWTPs, in Heilongjiang province, was calculated to be over 100 kg/year. Principal component analysis (PCA), diagnostic ratios and positive matrix factorization (PMF) determined a similar mixed pyrogenic and petrogenic source of sewage sludge. The average values of Benzo[a]pyrene was below the safe value of 600 ng.g−1 dependent on an incremental lifetime cancer risk ILCR of 10−6. Sludge is an important source for the transfer of pollutants into the environment, such as PAHs a...
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2021
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants in fine particulate matter (PM) long known to have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, but much is unknown about the importance of local and remote sources for PAH levels observed in population-dense urban environments. A year-long sampling campaign in Athens, Greece, where more than 150 samples were analyzed for 31 PAHs and a wide range of chemical markers, was combined with positive matrix factorization (PMF) to constrain the temporal variability, sources, and carcinogenic risk associated with PAHs. It was found that biomass burning (BB), a source mostly present during wintertime intense pollution events (observed for 18 % of measurement days in 2017), led to wintertime PAH levels that were 7 times higher than in other seasons and was as important for annual mean PAH concentrations (31 %) as diesel and oil (33 %) and gasoline (29 %) sources. The contribution of non-local sources, although limited on an annual basis (7 %), increased during summer, becoming comparable to that of local sources combined. The fraction of PAHs (12 members that were included in the PMF analysis) that was associated with BB was also linked to increased health risk compared to the other sources, accounting for almost half the annual PAH carcinogenic potential (43 %). This can result in a large number of excess cancer cases due to BB-related high PM levels and urges immediate action to reduce residential BB emissions in urban areas facing similar issues.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2019
Most air pollution research conducted in Brazil has focused on assessing the daily-term effects of pollutants, but little is known about the health effects of air pollutants at an intermediate time term. The objective of this study was to determine the monthly-term association between air pollution and respiratory morbidity in five cities in South Brazil. An ecological time-series study was performed using the municipality as the unit of observation in five cities in South Brazil (Gravataí, Triunfo, Esteio, Canoas, and Charqueadas) between 2013 and 2016. Data for hospital admissions was obtained from the records of the Hospital Information Service. Air pollution data, including PM10, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3 (µg/m3) were obtained from the environmental government agency in Rio Grande do Sul State. Panel multivariable Poisson regression models were adjusted for monthly counts of respiratory hospitalizations. An increase of 10 μg/m3 in the monthly average concentration of PM10 was associa...
Atmosphere, 2018
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and quinones in the gas phase and as submicron particles raise concerns due to their potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. The majority of existing studies have investigated the formation of quinones, but it is also important to consider both the primary and secondary sources to estimate their contributions. The objectives of this study were to characterize PAHs and quinones in the gas and particulate matter (PM 1) phases in order to identify phase distributions, sources, and cancer risk at two urban monitoring sites in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (GMA) in Mexico. The simultaneous gas and PM 1 phases samples were analyzed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. The lifetime lung cancer risk (LCR) due to PAH exposure was calculated to be 1.7 × 10 −3 , higher than the recommended risk value of 10 −6 , indicating a potential health hazard. Correlations between parent PAHs, criteria pollutants, and meteorological parameters suggest that primary sources are the main contributors to the Σ 8 Quinones concentrations in PM 1 , while the secondary formation of 5,12-naphthacenequinone and 9,10-anthraquinone may contribute less to the observed concentration of quinones. Additionally, naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and anthracene in PM 1 , suggest photochemical degradation into unidentified species. Further research is needed to determine how these compounds are formed.
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2020
Pine trees are used as biomonitoring agents to evaluate atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Due to industrialization, urban construction, and rapid population growth, the city of Bursa is experiencing air pollution. In this study, PAHs were measured in pine tree branches and needles at a wastewater treatment plant site, an industrial site, and semirural site in Bursa for 12 months. The concentrations fluctuated depending on the characteristics of the areas. The lowest concentration value was measured in the semirural site while the highest value was determined in the wastewater treatment plant site. The PAH concentrations in pine needles ranged from 24 to 2565 ng/g dry weight (DW) and in pine branches from 163 to 2871 ng/g DW for 16 PAHs. Naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluorene, and fluoranthene were determined as dominant species in both tree components. Diagnostic ratios, ring profile, principal component analysis, the coefficient of divergence, and the Pearson correlation coefficient methods were used in the definition of sources of PAHs in the sampling sites, although all source identification methods have advantages and disadvantages. According to the results, the PAHs mainly originated from biomass and coal burning, traffic, and mixed sources. It also was concluded that three sampling sites showed higher PAH concentrations during winter, and the main PAH sources were similar.
Environmental Research
In this study, ambient air and olive tree components (leaf and branch) were simultaneously collected and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to investigate their levels and accumulations, temporal variations, possible sources, air-plant partitioning and cancer risks for 12 months. During the sampling period, total of 14 PAH (∑ 14 PAH) concentrations measured in the olive leaves (dissolved and particle phase) and braches (1-and 2-year-old) were 593 ± 472, 81 ± 67, 558 ± 273 and 316 ± 213 ng/g dry weight (DW), respectively. Similarly, the average ∑ 14 PAH concentrations measured in the ambient air was found to be 15 ± 16 ng/m 3. Generally, 4-, 5-and 6-ring PAHs were the dominant groups for all tree components, while 2-and 3ring PAHs were predominant in the air samples. Ring distributions and molecular diagnosis ratios were employed to determine PAH sources in the sampling site. Petroleum and combustion-related sources were found to be important. The Pearson correlation coefficient was allowed to figure out the affinity between PAH levels in the sampling materials and meteorological factors. Temperature and mixing layer height were found to be effective factors on the concentrations. Atmospheric PAH levels were also predicted to employ a bark-air exchange model for determining the PAH movement direction. The predicted/measured ratios were above 1.0. This was probably due to utilizing the branch values rather than bark values in the model. Finally, the risk of cancer has been evaluated. The calculated cancer risks via inhalation were at low levels for adults and children.
Air quality of an urban school in São Paulo city
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2019
A major campaign was carried out in indoor and outdoor environments in a school located in the university campus of the city of São Paulo. Elements, PAH, oxy-PAH, water-soluble ions and black carbon were determined and compared with preliminary campaigns. The results indicated that the concentrations of particles and organic compounds were higher indoors. Some high molecular weight compounds, attributed to vehicular emissions, were more abundant outdoors. The associated health risk was found to be low. 2-Methylanthraquinone and benzo(a)anthracene-7,12dione were detected in the indoor samples, denoting the infiltration of vehicle exhaust. The observation of black carbon also corroborates the contribution of traffic emissions. For most of the elements, except for chromium, iron and manganese, the concentrations obtained in indoors were higher than outdoors, mainly due to soil resuspension. Chromium and manganese likely derived from emissions of the vehicle powered by mixtures of ethanol and gasoline. Water-soluble inorganic ions species denoted the influence of soil resuspension and human activities.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with PM10 collected in Wadowice, South Poland
E3S web of conferences, 2019
Krakow is a city in southern Poland inhabited by about 741,000 people. However, Krakow's agglomeration includes neighboring cities, hence more than 1 million people live there. The agglomeration is struggling with the problem of air pollution. In 2016, admissible average annual concentrations of PM10 (40 μg / m 3) were exceeded at all measuring points. Furthermore, daily PM10 concentrations were regularly exceeded in the winter, which is associated with increased coal combustion during this period. Fortunately, interest in the subject of air quality in the world is constantly growing. People are more often aware of the negative impact on health of chemical compounds present in particulate matter (PM) such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which were proved to be cancerogenic and mutagenic for people. That is why it is so important to study their presence in the ambient air. PM10 collected in the center of Wadowice (22.12.2016-13.10.2017) were investigated. PAHs were extracted from particulate matter and analysed applying the GC/MS technique. The results are discussed in the article.