Measurement of particle concentrations in a dental office

Particles in a dental office can be generated by a number of instruments, such as air-turbine handpieces, low-speed handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, bicarbonate polishers, polishing cups, as well as drilling and air sprays inside the oral cavity. This study examined the generation of particles during dental drilling and measured particle size, mass, and trace elements. The air sampling techniques included both continuous and integrated methods. The following particle continuous measurements were taken every minute: (1) size-selective particle number concentration (Climet); (2) total particle number concentration (PTRAK), and; (3) particle mass concentration (DustTrak). Integrated particle samples were collected for about 5 h on each of five sampling days, using a PM_2.5 sampler (ChemComb) for elemental/organic carbon analysis, and a PM₁₀ sampler (Harvard Impactor) for mass and elemental analyses. There was strong evidence that these procedures result in particle concentrations above background. The dental procedures produced number concentrations of relatively small particles (<0.5 μm) that were much higher than concentrations produced for the relatively larger particles (>0.5 μm). Also, these dental procedures caused significant elevation above background of certain trace elements (measured by X-ray fluorescence) but did not cause any elevation of elemental carbon (measured by thermal optical reflectance). Dental drilling procedures aerosolize saliva and products of drilling, producing particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. The potential health impacts of the exposure of dental personnel to such particles need to be evaluated. Increased ventilation and personal breathing protection could be used to minimize harmful effects.     

不同气团来源对广州细颗粒物理化特性的影响

利用2006年7月广州细颗粒物质量浓度、数谱分布与化学组成的观测数据与气团后向轨迹聚类分析结果,系统分析了不同气团来源对广州细颗粒物理化特性的影响。观测期间,广州气团来源可分成来自远海、近海、西面陆地和北面陆地4种类型。细颗粒物总数浓度水平在4种类型中基本相当。当气团来自远海时,二次转化影响较小,PM2.5质量浓度较低,颗粒物数浓度从大到小依次为老化爱根核模态新鲜爱根核模态度积聚模态;受到海洋气团的影响,Cl-在PM2.5中比例为4种类型中最大。气团来自近海时,颗粒物二次生成与老化现象突出,数谱峰值出现在积聚模态,而其他类型出现在爱根核模态;SO2-4、OC与NO-3之和在PM2.5中的比例大于50%,为4种类型中最高。气团来自西面陆地和北面陆地时,细颗粒物受陆地传输老化气团和本地来源影响均较明显。来自北面陆地时,250 nm以上颗粒物数浓度明显升高,是PM2.5平均浓度远高于其他类型的直接原因之一。     

Comparability between PM2.5 and particle light scattering measurements

Particle light scattering and PM_2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 m) concentration data from air quality studies conducted over the past ten years wereexamined. Fine particle scattering efficiencies were determinedfrom statistical relationships among measured light scattering and fine and coarse mass concentrations. The resulting fine particle scattering efficiencies ranged from 1.7 m² g^-1at Meadview in the Grand Canyon to over 5 m² g^-1 in Mexico City. Most of the derived fine scattering efficiencieswere centered around 2 m² g^-1, which is considerablylower than most values reported from previous studies.     

Characterization of atmospheric aerosols in the city of S?o Paulo, Brazil: comparisons between polluted and unpolluted periods

The objective of this study was to determine the size and composition of atmospheric aerosols in the downtown area of the city of S?o Paulo, Brazil, for a polluted and an unpolluted period. Aerosols were sampled with a portable air sampler (PAS), Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI), and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer. At the study site, air quality is poor, especially during the winter, high concentrations of pollutants being emitted primarily by the light- and heavy-duty vehicle fleet. We analyzed mass, black carbon (BC), Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sn, Zr, and Pb. During the polluted period, diurnal PM₁₀ was higher than nocturnal PM₁₀, whereas the inverse was true during the unpolluted period. The FPM was rich in BC, S, and Pb, whereas CPM was rich in Al, Si, Ca, Ti, and Fe. Mass balance was performed by category: ammonium sulfate, sodium chloride, crustal material, BC, and other. The PAS-determined FPM was mainly BC. The MOUDI-determined FPM crustal material explained more mass than did ammonium sulfate and BC during the polluted period, whereas ammonium sulfate had the largest mass during the unpolluted period. Crustal material was the major CPM component, followed by ammonium sulfate and BC. During the unpolluted period, FPM concentrations were lower, whereas those of ammonium sulfate were relatively higher, especially at night, and particle number was inversely proportional to particle size. Aerosol growth was more intense during the polluted period.     

Results of An Indoor Size Fractionated PM School Sampling Program in Libby, Montana

Libby, Montana is the only PM_2.5 nonattainment area in the western United States with the exceptions of parts of southern California. During January through March 2005, a particulate matter (PM) sampling program was conducted within Libby’s elementary and middle schools to establish baseline indoor PM concentrations before a wood stove change-out program is implemented over the next several years. As part of this program, indoor concentrations of PM mass, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) in five different size fractions (>2.5, 1.0–2.5, 0.5–1.0, 0.25–0.5, and <0.25 μm) were measured. Total measured PM mass concentrations were much higher inside the elementary school, with particle size fraction (>2.5, 0.5–1.0, 0.25–0.5, and <0.25 μm) concentrations between 2 and 5 times higher when compared to the middle school. The 1.0–2.5 μm fraction had the largest difference between the two sites, with elementary school concentrations nearly 10 times higher than the middle school values. The carbon component for the schools’ indoor PM was found to be predominantly composed of OC. Measured total OC and EC concentrations, as well as concentrations within individual size fractions, were an average of two to five times higher at the elementary school when compared to the middle school. For the ultrafine fraction (<0.25), EC concentrations were similar between each of the schools. Despite the differences in concentrations between the schools at the various fraction levels, the OC/EC ratio was determined to be similar.     

Determining the ventilation and aerosol deposition rates from routine indoor-air measurements

Measurement of air exchange rate provides critical information in energy and indoor-air quality studies. Continuous measurement of ventilation rates is a rather costly exercise and requires specific instrumentation. In this work, an alternative methodology is proposed and tested, where the air exchange rate is calculated by utilizing indoor and outdoor routine measurements of a common pollutant such as SO₂, whereas the uncertainties induced in the calculations are analytically determined. The application of this methodology is demonstrated, for three residential microenvironments in Athens, Greece, and the results are also compared against ventilation rates calculated from differential pressure measurements. The calculated time resolved ventilation rates were applied to the mass balance equation to estimate the particle loss rate which was found to agree with literature values at an average of 0.50 h^?1. The proposed method was further evaluated by applying a mass balance numerical model for the calculation of the indoor aerosol number concentrations, using the previously calculated ventilation rate, the outdoor measured number concentrations and the particle loss rates as input values. The model results for the indoors’ concentrations were found to be compared well with the experimentally measured values.     

Effectiveness of HVAC Duct Cleaning Procedures in Improving Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality has become one of the most seriousenvironmental concerns as an average person spends about 22 hrindoors on a daily basis. The study reported in this article, wasconducted to determine the effectiveness of three commercialHVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) duct cleaning processes in reducing the level of airborne particulate matterand viable bioaerosols. The three HVAC sanitation processeswere: (1) Contact method (use of conventional vacuum cleaning ofinterior duct surfaces); (2) Air sweep method (use of compressedair to dislodging dirt and debris); (3) Rotary brush method(insertion of a rotary brush into the ductwork to agitate anddislodge the debris). Effectiveness of these sanitationprocesses was evaluated in terms of airborne particulate andviable bioaerosol concentrations in residential homes. Eightidentical homes were selected in the same neighborhood. Twohomes were cleaned using each procedure and two were used ascontrols. It was found that both particle count readings andbioaerosol concentrations were higher when cleaning was beingperformed than before or after cleaning, which suggests thatdirt, debris and other pollutants may become airborne as aresult of disturbances caused by the cleaning processes.Particle count readings at 0.3 micron size were found to haveincreased due to cigarette smoking. Particle counts at 1.0micron size were reduced due to HVAC duct cleaning. Post-levelbioaerosol concentrations, taken two days after cleaning, werefound to be lower than the pre-level concentrations suggestingthat the cleaning procedures were effective to some extent.Homes cleaned with the Air Sweep procedure showed the highestdegree of reduction in bioaerosol concentration among the threeprocedures investigated.     

基于空气质量自动监测站PM10滤纸的新型大气二NFDA1英监测技术研究

通过典型空气质量自动监测站PM10滤纸(结合气固相分配模拟)和传统大流量大气采样仪的比对试验,探讨了基于空气质量自动监测站PM10滤纸的新型大气二英监测技术的可行性。研究表明,基于空气质量自动监测站PM10滤纸的大气固相二英毒性当量浓度和指纹特征与传统大流量大气监测技术的监测结果具有很好的可比性;基于空气质量自动监测站PM10滤纸气固相分配模拟(利用Harner-Bidleman模型)的大气二英毒性当量浓度和指纹特征与传统大流量大气监测技术的监测结果具有很好的可比性。与传统大流量大气监测技术相比,基于空气质量自动监测站PM10滤纸的新型大气二英监测技术可以利用现有的大气自动监测网络和气固相分配模型,具有采样成本低、代表性强和易于普及等优点,适合不同区域尺度大气二英的长期同步监测。     

Study of urban atmospheric pollution in Navarre (Northern Spain)

An ambient air quality study was undertaken in two cities (Pamplona and Alsasua) of the Province of Navarre in northern Spain from July 2001 to June 2004. The data were obtained from two urban monitoring sites. At both monitoring sites, ambient levels of ozone, NO_x, and SO₂ were measured. Simultaneously with levels of PM₁₀ measured at Alsasua (using a laser particle counter), PM₁₀ levels were also determined at Pamplona (using a beta attenuation monitor). Mean annual PM₁₀ concentrations in Pamplona and Alsasua reached 30 and 28 μg m⁻³, respectively. These concentrations are typical for urban background sites in Northern Spain. By using meteorological information and back trajectories, it was found that the number of exceedances of the daily PM₁₀ limit as well as the PM₁₀ temporal variation was highly influenced by air masses from North Africa. Although North African transport was observed on only 9% of the days, it contributed the highest observed PM₁₀ levels. Transport from the Atlantic Ocean was observed on 68% of the days; transport from Europe on 13%; low transport and local influences on 7%; and transport from the Mediterranean region on 3% of the days. The mean O₃ concentrations were 45 and 55 μg m⁻³ in Pamplona and Alsasua, respectively, which were above the values reported for the main Spanish cities. The mean NO and NO₂ levels were very similar in both sites (12 and 26 μg m⁻³, respectively). Mean SO₂ levels were 8 μg m⁻³ in Pamplona and 5 μg m⁻³ in Alsasua. Hourly levels of PM₁₀, NO and NO₂ showed similar variations with the typically two coincident maximums during traffic rush hours demonstrating a major anthropogenic origin of PM₁₀, in spite of the sporadic dust outbreaks.     

In-vehicle Measurement of Ultrafine Particles on Compressed Natural Gas, Conventional Diesel, and Oxidation-catalyst Diesel Heavy-duty Transit Buses

Many metropolitan transit authorities are considering upgrading transit bus fleets to decrease ambient criteria pollutant levels. Advancements in engine and fuel technology have lead to a generation of lower-emission buses in a variety of fuel types. Dynamometer tests show substantial reductions in particulate mass emissions for younger buses (<10 years) over older models, but particle number reduction has not been verified in the research. Recent studies suggest that particle number is a more important factor than particle mass in determining health effects. In-vehicle particle number concentration measurements on conventional diesel, oxidation-catalyst diesel and compressed natural gas transit buses are compared to estimate relative in-vehicle particulate exposures. Two primary consistencies are observed from the data: the CNG buses have average particle count concentrations near the average concentrations for the oxidation-catalyst diesel buses, and the conventional diesel buses have average particle count concentrations approximately three to four times greater than the CNG buses. Particle number concentrations are also noticeably affected by bus idling behavior and ventilation options, such as, window position and air conditioning.     

Thermal volatilization properties of atmospheric nanoparticles

Thermal volatilization is explored as a means of inferring the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosol particles with diameters smaller than 10 nm (nanoparticles). Such particles contain too little mass for quantitative chemical determination by traditional analytical methods. Aerosols were subjected to increasing temperature in an oven and particle loss was measured as a function of temperature with the TSI model 3025 ultrafine condensation particle counter (UCPC), which is capable of counting particles with diameters as small as 3 nm. Particle nucleation was observed down stream of the oven when it was heated above about 400°C. To reduce this artifact, the sample air down stream of the oven was cooled to condense the hot gases and/or the freshly nucleated particles before they reached the UCPC. Controlled experiments were done with pure ammonium sulfate (NH₄)₂SO₄ particles. The experimental design was optimized based on the known concentration of pure (NH₄)₂SO₄ particles vaporized in the oven and the diffusion of this material to the walls of the sampling tube before the particle counter.     

Monitoring of Criteria Air Pollutants in Bursa, Turkey

The concentrations of criteria air pollutants such as CO, NO_x (NO + NO₂), SO₂ and PM were measured in the period of May 2001 and April 2003 in the city of Bursa, Turkey. The average concentrations for this period were 1115±1600 μg/m³, 29±50 μg/m³, 51±24 μg/m³, 79±65 μg/m³, 40±35 μg/m³, 98±220 μg/m³, for CO, NO, NO₂, NO_x, SO₂ and PM, respectively. Temporal changes in concentrations were analyzed using meteorological factors. Correlations among pollutant concentrations and meteorological parameters showed weak relations nearly in all data. Lower concentrations were observed in the summer months while higher concentrations were measured in the winter months. The increase in winter concentrations was probably due to residential heating. Pollutants were associated with each other in order to have information about their origin. NO_x/SO₂ ratio was also examined to bring out the source origin contributing on air pollution (i.e., traffic or stationary).     

沈阳市室内空气细菌与真菌粒子的关系

用ＡＮＤＥＲＳＥＮ生物粒子采样器和平皿沉降法观测了室内空气细菌和真菌粒子浓度、浓度分布、粒度分布、粒数中值直径和沉降量．结果表明，室内空气细菌粒子浓度为真菌粒子浓度的２．５倍，细菌粒数中值直径为真菌粒数中值直径的１．４倍，细菌粒子沉降量为真菌粒子沉降量的５，３倍。＜８．２μｍ的空气细菌和真菌粒子浓度差别不大，而＞８．２μｍ的空气细苗比真苗粒子浓度高４．１倍．＜８．２μｍ的可吸入真菌粒数百分比大于＜８．２μｍ的细菌粒数百分比．在一天的７：００时～２２：００时，室内空气细菌和真菌粒子的浓度、沉降量均呈双峰变化；细苗和真菌粒子浓度的相关系数为０．８２２，细菌和真菌粒子沉降量的相关系数为０．８９６，均呈明显的正相关关系；细菌和真菌粒数中值直径的相关系数为－０．０９６，相关关系不大。     

Ultrafine particles at workplaces of a primary aluminium smelter

The number concentration and size distribution of ultrafine particles in a S?derberg and a prebake potroom of an aluminium primary smelter have been measured using a scanning mobility particle spectrometer. The particle morphology was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study shows the existence of elevated number concentrations of ultrafine particles in both potrooms. The main source of these particles is likely to be the process of anode changing. The ultrafine particles were measured directly at the source but could also be identified as episodes of high number concentrations in the general background air. Unlike the larger particles belonging to the 50-100 nm mode, the nanoparticle mode could not be detected in the TEM indicating that they may not be stable under the applied sampling conditions and/or the high vacuum in the instrument.     

Passive aerosol sampler for particle concentrations and size distributions

This research evaluated the UNC passive aerosol sampler as a tool to measure particle mass concentrations and size distributions. The exposure scenario represented high concentrations and exposure periods of a few hours. Mass concentrations measured with the passive sampler were compared to concentrations measured using both a dichotomous sampler and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS). In addition, the size distributions measured with the passive sampler were compared to those measured using the APS. Mass concentrations measured using the dichotomous sampler and the APS agreed well. The passive sampler tracked, but tended to overestimate, mass concentrations measured by the other two instruments. Size distributions measured with the passive sampler followed the general pattern of those measured using the APS. Overall, the passive sampler demonstrated both its utility and its limitations in these tests. The concentration measurements and size distributions found using passive samplers were more variable than those of the other instruments, but generally followed the data taken using the other methods. The advantages of low cost and ease of use offset the limitations in data quality with the passive sampler; these advantages are particularly welcome for sampling situations where aerosol properties vary over space or time.     

山西省大气污染特征及对公众健康的空间影响

利用山西省11个地级市大气环境监测站的PM_2.5、PM₁₀和O₃浓度数据,分析了2015—2020年山西省PM_2.5、PM₁₀和O₃浓度时空变化特征,采用空间计量模型和岭回归方法,分析了空气污染对公众健康的空间影响。结果表明:PM_2.5和PM₁₀年均质量浓度总体下降,两者在2017年最高,2020年最低;O₃年均浓度总体增加。在季节尺度上,PM_2.5和PM₁₀质量浓度在冬季的12月和1月最高,夏季的8月最低;O₃浓度在6月最高。空间上,相较2015年,2020年山西省各地级市PM_2.5污染程度均有改善,其中长治改善效果最好;2020年山西各地级市PM₁₀污染兼有加重和减轻的情形,所有地级市PM_2.5和PM₁₀污染水平均超过国家二级污染浓度限值;2020年山西多数地级市O₃浓度升高。山西公众健康水平具有明显的空间离散特征,PM_2.5和PM₁₀浓度的局部空间自相关特征高度一致,呈现"南高北低"的格局,O₃浓度分布呈"南部高,中北部低"的格局。大气环境质量和经济发展水平均对医疗机构诊疗人数和健康体检人数的变化有正向影响,每万人卫生技术人员数量和公共财政支出比例对公众健康均有负向影响,其中经济发展水平和大气环境质量的影响最显著。山西省PM_2.5治理取得一定成效,但大部分城市PM_2.5和PM₁₀达标率较低,O₃浓度有持续升高的趋势,PM₁₀和O₃污染改善缓慢,深度减排仍面临挑战。PM_2.5和PM₁₀是危害山西公众健康的主要大气污染物,未来需要加强PM_2.5、PM₁₀和O₃的精细化管理及协同治理。     

2018年11月上旬一次中韩PM2.5相互影响传输过程分析

2018年11月5—7日,韩国首尔出现了一次PM_(2.5)污染过程。利用拉格朗日轨迹分析(HYSPLIT)模型分析了首尔峰值浓度气团的来源,结合污染物监测和气象资料,定性分析了中国对韩国浓度高值可能的影响及其程度。利用嵌套网格空气质量预报模式(NAQPMS)及其耦合的在线污染来源追踪模块进行了污染来源解析和敏感性测试,分别计算了同一时期中韩两国相互间的PM_(2.5)传输贡献。结果显示:2018年11月5—7日,中国对韩国首尔污染过程的日均贡献不足10%;此次污染过程后期,首尔的污染气团对上海PM_(2.5)浓度峰值产生了影响。     

Extension of the EUROS Integrated Air Quality Model to Fine Particulate Matter by Coupling to CACM/MADRID 2

The European Operational Smog (EUROS) integrated air quality modelling system has been extended to model fine particulate matter (PM). From an extended literature study, the Caltech Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism and the Model of Aerosol Dynamics, Reaction, Ionisation and Dissolution were selected and recently coupled to EUROS. Currently, modelling of mass and chemical composition of aerosols in two size fractions (PM_2.5 and PM_10–2.5) is possible. The chemical composition is expressed in terms of seven components: ammonium, nitrate, sulphate, elementary carbon, primary inorganic compounds, primary organic compounds and secondary organic compounds. Calculated PM₁₀ concentrations and chemical composition are presented for two summer months of the year 2003 (1 July to 31 August).     

空气质量AQI实时发布的改进探讨

针对《环境空气质量指数(AQI)技术规定(试行)》(HJ 633-2012)中对空气质量AQI实时发布存在的欠缺,从增加颗粒物1 h浓度的AQI分级浓度限值及颗粒物24 h滑动平均值计算方法改进着手,解决PM2.5和PM10的24 h滑动平均值实时延迟、1 h平均值代替24 h滑动平均值偏高等问题。     

珠三角秋冬季节长时间灰霾污染特性与成因

利用珠三角大气超级站2012年10月与2013年1月能见度、不同粒径颗粒物与BC质量浓度、气溶胶光散射系数、O3、相对湿度等在线监测数据,分析秋冬季节2次持续时间超过10 d的长时间灰霾过程污染特性与成因。结果表明,冬季灰霾过程中气溶胶吸光系数和光散射系数对大气总消光系数的贡献分别为13%和67%;PM2.5、PM1占PM10质量浓度分别为66%和39%;较高的PM2.5与BC日均浓度相关系数(R2=0.88)体现了一次排放对颗粒物质量浓度及能见度的显著影响。秋季灰霾过程中气溶胶吸光系数和光散射系数对大气总消光系数的贡献分别为11%和69%,由BC导致的吸光效应较冬季下降了约20%;PM2.5和PM1占PM10质量浓度比例分别为68%和45%,均高于冬季;O3浓度日最大小时值的平均值接近冬季的2倍;二次来源对PM2.5浓度升高和能见度下降起主导作用。来自不同方向的2种气团在珠三角僵持,大气扩散条件差是导致这2次灰霾过程的重要外在条件,应成为灰霾预报预警的重点关注对象。