Air pollutants in rural homes in Guizhou,China – Concentrations,speciation, and size distribution

Several types of fuels, including coal, fuel wood, and biogas, are commonly used for cooking and heating in Chinese rural households, resulting in indoor air pollution and causing severe health impacts. In this paper, we report a study monitoring multiple pollutants including PM₁₀, PM_2.5, CO, CO₂, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fuel combustion at households in Guizhou province of China. The results showed that most pollutants exhibited large variability for different type of fuels except for CO₂. Among these fuels, wood combustion caused the most serious indoor air pollution, with the highest concentrations of particulate matters (218～417 μg m^?3 for PM₁₀ and 201～304 μg m^?3 for PM_2.5), and higher concentrations of CO (10.8 ± 0.8 mg m^?3) and TVOC (about 466.7 ± 337.9 μg m^?3). Coal combustion also resulted in higher concentrations of particulate matters (220～250 μg m^?3 for PM₁₀ and 170～200 μg m^?3 for PM_2.5), but different levels for CO (respectively 14.5 ± 3.7 mg m^?3 for combustion in brick stove and 5.5 ± 0.7 mg m^?3 for combustion in metal stove) and TVOC (170 mg m^?3 for combustion in brick stove and 700 mg m^?3 for combustion in metal stove). Biogas was the cleanest fuel, which brought about the similar levels of various pollutants with the indoor case of non-combustion, and worth being promoted in more areas. Analysis of the chemical profiles of PM_2.5 indicated that OC and EC were dominant components for all fuels, with the proportions of 30～48%. A high fraction of SO₄^2? (31～34%) was detected for coal combustion. The cumulative percentages of these chemical species were within the range of 0.7～1.3, which was acceptable for the assessment of mass balance.     

Personal exposures to NO2 in the EXPOLIS-study: relation to residential indoor,outdoor and workplace concentrations in Basel,Helsinki and Prague

Personal exposures, residential indoor, outdoor and workplace levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were measured for 262 urban adult (25–55 years) participants in three EXPOLIS centres (Basel; Switzerland, Helsinki; Finland, and Prague; Czech Republic) using passive samplers for 48-h sampling periods during 1996–1997. The average residential outdoor and indoor NO₂ levels were lowest in Helsinki (24±12 and 18±11 μg m⁻³, respectively), highest in Prague (61±20 and 43±23 μg m⁻³), with Basel in between (36±13 and 27±13 μg m⁻³). Average workplace NO₂ levels, however, were highest in Basel (36±24 μg m⁻³), lowest in Helsinki (27±15 μg m⁻³), with Prague in between (30±18 μg m⁻³). A time-weighted microenvironmental exposure model explained 74% of the personal NO₂ exposure variation in all centres and in average 88% of the exposures. Log-linear regression models, using residential outdoor measurements (fixed site monitoring) combined with residential and work characteristics (i.e. work location, using gas appliances and keeping windows open), explained 48% (37%) of the personal NO₂ exposure variation. Regression models based on ambient fixed site concentrations alone explained only 11–19% of personal NO₂ exposure variation. Thus, ambient fixed site monitoring alone was a poor predictor for personal NO₂ exposure variation, but adding personal questionnaire information can significantly improve the predicting power.     

Quantification of Saharan dust contribution to PM10 concentrations over Italy during 2003–2005

Italy is frequently affected by Saharan dust intrusions, which result in high PM₁₀ concentrations in the atmosphere and can cause the exceedances of the PM₁₀ daily limits (50 μg m^?3) set by the European Union (EU/2008/50). The estimate of African dust contribution to PM₁₀ concentrations is therefore a key issue in air quality assessment and policy formulation. This study presents a first identification of Saharan dust outbreaks as well as an estimate of the African dust contribution to PM₁₀ concentrations during the period 2003–2005 over Italy. The identification of dust events has been carried out by looking at different sources of information such as monitoring network observations, satellite images, ground measurements of aerosol optical properties, dust model simulations and air mass backward trajectory analysis. The contribution of Saharan dust to PM₁₀ monthly concentrations has been estimated at seven Italian locations. The results are both spatially (with station) and temporally (with month and year) variable, as a consequence of the variability of the meteorological conditions. However, excluding the contribution of severe dust events (21st February 2004, 25th–28th September 2003, 23rd–27th March 2005), the monthly contribution of dust varies approximately between 1 μg m^?3 and 10 μg m^?3 throughout year 2005 and between 1 μg m^?3 and 8 μg m^?3 throughout year 2003. In 2004 the dust concentration is lower than 2003 and 2005 (<5 μg m^?3 at all sites). The reduction in the number of daily exceedances of the limit value (50 μg m^?3) after subtraction of the dust contribution is also calculated at each station: it varies with station between 20% and 50% in 2005 and between 5% and 25% in 2003 and 2004.     

Particulate matter in the indoor air of classrooms—exploratory results from Munich and surrounding area

Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated the association between particle mass (PM) concentration in outside air and the occurrence of health related problems and/or diseases. However, much less is known about indoor PM concentrations and associated health risks. In particular, data are needed on air quality in schools, since children are assumed to be more vulnerable to health hazards and spend a large part of their time in classrooms.On this background, we evaluated indoor air quality in 64 schools in the city of Munich and a neighbouring district outside the city boundary. In winter 2004–2005 in 92 classrooms, and in summer 2005 in 75 classrooms, data on indoor air climate parameters (temperature, relative humidity), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and various dust particle fractions (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) were collected; for the latter both gravimetrical and continuous measurements by laser aerosol spectrometer (LAS) were implemented. In the summer period, the particle number concentration (PNC), was determined using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). Additionally, data on room and building characteristics were collected by use of a standardized form. Only data collected during teaching hours were considered in analysis. For continuously measured parameters the daily median was used to describe the exposure level in a classroom.The median indoor CO₂ concentration in a classroom was 1603 ppm in winter and 405 ppm in summer. With LAS in winter, median PM concentrations of 19.8 μg m⁻³ (PM_2.5) and 91.5 μg m⁻³ (PM₁₀) were observed, in summer PM concentrations were significantly reduced (median PM_2.5=12.7 μg m⁻³, median PM₁₀=64.9 μg m⁻³). PM_2.5 concentrations determined by the gravimetric method were in general higher (median in winter: 36.7 μg m⁻³, median in summer: 20.2 μg m⁻³) but correlated strongly with the LAS-measured results. In explorative analysis, we identified a significant increase of LAS-measured PM_2.5 by 1.7 μg m⁻³ per increase in humidity by 10%, by 0.5 μg m⁻³ per increase in CO₂ indoor concentration by 100 ppm, and a decrease by 2.8 μg m⁻³ in 5–7th grade classes and by 7.3 μg m⁻³ in class 8–11 compared to 1–4th class. During the winter period, the associations were stronger regarding class level, reverse regarding humidity (a decrease by 6.4 μg m⁻³ per increase in 10% humidity) and absent regarding CO₂ indoor concentration. The median PNC measured in 36 classrooms ranged between 2622 and 12,145 particles cm⁻³ (median: 5660 particles cm⁻³).The results clearly show that exposure to particulate matter in school is high. The increased PM concentrations in winter and their correlation with high CO₂ concentrations indicate that inadequate ventilation plays a major role in the establishment of poor indoor air quality. Additionally, the increased PM concentration in low level classes and in rooms with high number of pupils suggest that the physical activity of pupils, which is assumed to be more pronounced in younger children, contributes to a constant process of resuspension of sedimented particles. Further investigations are necessary to increase knowledge on predictors of PM concentration, to assess the toxic potential of indoor particles and to develop and test strategies how to ensure improved indoor air quality in schools.     

Speciation of volatile organic compounds from poultry production

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from poultry production are leading source of air quality problems. However, little is known about the speciation and levels of VOCs from poultry production. The objective of this study was the speciation of VOCs from a poultry facility using evacuated canisters and sorbent tubes. Samples were taken during active poultry production cycle and between production cycles. Levels of VOCs were highest in areas with birds and the compounds in those areas had a higher percentage of polar compounds (89%) compared to aliphatic hydrocarbons (2.2%). In areas without birds, levels of VOCs were 1/3 those with birds present and compounds had a higher total percentage of aliphatic hydrocarbons (25%). Of the VOCs quantified in this study, no single sampling method was capable of quantifying more than 55% of compounds and in several sections of the building each sampling method quantified less than 50% of the quantifiable VOCs. Key classes of chemicals quantified using evacuated canisters included both alcohols and ketones, while sorbent tube samples included volatile fatty acids and ketones. The top five compounds made up close to 70% of VOCs and included: 1) acetic acid (830.1 μg m^?3); 2) 2,3-butanedione (680.6 μg m^?3); 3) methanol (195.8 μg m^?3); 4) acetone (104.6 μg m^?3); and 5) ethanol (101.9 μg m^?3). Location variations for top five compounds averaged 49.5% in each section of the building and averaged 87% for the entire building.     

Five years of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde monitoring in the Rio de Janeiro downtown area – Brazil

The fuel matrix used in Brazil is unique around the world. The intensive use of hydrated ethanol, gasohol (gasoline with 25% v/v of ethanol), compressed natural gas (CNG), and biodiesel leads to a peculiar composition of the urban atmosphere. From 1998 to 2002 an increase in formaldehyde levels was observed and since then, a reduction. This work presents a monitoring campaign that was executed from March 2004 to February 2009 by sampling at early morning on every sunny Wednesday for a total of 183 samples. The results indicate a strong reduction in formaldehyde levels from 2004 (average of 135.8 μg m^?3 with SD 28.4 μg m^?3) to 2009 (average of 49.3 μg m^?3 with SD 27.4 μg m^?3). The levels of acetaldehyde showed a slight reduction from 2004 (average of 34.9 μg m^?3 with SD 8.0 μg m^?3) to 2009 (average of 26.8 μg m^?3 with SD 11.5 μg m^?3). Comparing the results with the concurrent evolution of the fleet and of fuel composition indicates that the observed formaldehyde levels could be associated with the increase in ethanol use and in CNG use by engines with improved technology over the first converted CNG engines. Modelling studies using the OZIPR trajectory model and the SAPRC chemical mechanism indicate that formaldehyde is the main ozone precursor in Rio de Janeiro and acetaldehyde is the forth one.     

Absence of trends in relative risk estimates for the association between Black Smoke and daily mortality over a 34 years period in The Netherlands

A major issue in air pollution epidemiology is whether the associations that are found in the statistical analyses on the health effects of air pollution reflect real causal associations of single components or mixtures thereof, or just reflect statistical associations that are mainly the result of the high correlation between the separate components, one of them being the true causal factor.In a previous analysis on the relationship between daily SO₂ levels and daily mortality in The Netherlands [Buringh, E., Fischer, P., Hoek, G., 2000. Is SO₂ a causative factor for the PM-associated mortality risks in The Netherlands? Inhal. Toxicol. 12 (Suppl. 1), 55–60.], it was shown that the statistical significant association between daily variation in SO₂ and daily mortality did not reflect a causal relation. Black Smoke levels in The Netherlands have decreased 4-fold during the 34 years in the period 1972–2006 (annual average from 27 μg m^?3 to 6 μg m^?3). This large decrease in concentrations enabled us to use the same approach for this component as was done earlier for SO₂ to assess whether a decreasing trend in Black Smoke levels in The Netherlands is associated with an increasing trend in mortality relative risks or not.We used daily averaged Black Smoke (BS) data from 1972 to 2006. In the first two decades (1970–1990) only sparse data were available. Based on the availability of the data, we selected data from 1972 to 1974 and from 1982 to 1984 because during these two periods continuous daily measurement series were available. For the later years (1989–2006) data covering the whole of The Netherlands were available, giving a total of 24 years of daily data. Data on daily total mortality counts (excluding external causes), cardiovascular mortality and respiratory mortality for the whole population of The Netherlands were analyzed with regard to daily Black Smoke levels using generalized additive Poisson regression models (GAM). Period specific relative risk estimates were compared and differences in estimates between periods were evaluated.We found no consistent increase in relative risks for daily total and cause-specific mortality over time, despite the decreasing trend in the Black Smoke levels in The Netherlands. Average relative risks for total mortality varied over the different periods from 0.997 per 10 μg m^?3 daily Black Smoke to 1.010 per 10 μg m^?3. Average relative risks for cardiovascular mortality varied from 0.988 per 10 μg m^?3 to 1.010 per 10 μg m^?3 and for respiratory mortality from 1.000 to 1.010 per 10 μg m^?3. For weekly averaged concentrations the average relative risks for total mortality varied over the different periods from 1.004 per 10 μg m^?3 Black Smoke to 1.018 per 10 μg m^?3. Average relative risks for cardiovascular mortality varied from 1.003 per 10 μg m^?3 to 1.016 per 10 μg m^?3 and for respiratory mortality from 1.000 to 1.050 per 10 μg m^?3.The result of our analyses suggests that Black Smoke cannot be excluded as a potential causal agent because relative risks over time show no increasing trend despite the decreasing trend in Black Smoke concentrations.     

Behavioral and environmental determinants of personal exposures to PM2.5 in EXPOLIS – Helsinki,Finland

Behavioral and environmental determinants of PM_2.5 personal exposures were analyzed for 201 randomly selected adult participants (25–55 years old) of the EXPOLIS study in Helsinki, Finland. Personal exposure concentrations were higher than respective residential outdoor, residential indoor and workplace indoor concentrations for both smokers and non-smokers. Mean personal exposure concentrations of active smokers (31.0±31.4 μg m⁻³) were almost double those of participants exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) (16.6±11.8 μg m⁻³) and three times those of participants not exposed to tobacco smoke (9.9±6.2 μg m⁻³). Mean indoor concentrations of PM_2.5 when a member of the household smoked indoors (20.8±23.9 μg m⁻³) were approximately 2.5 times the concentrations of PM_2.5 when no smoking was reported (8.2±5.2 μg m⁻³). Interestingly, however, both mean (8.2 μg m⁻³) and median (6.9 μg m⁻³) residential indoor concentrations for non-ETS exposed participants were lower than residential outdoor concentrations (9.5 and 7.3 μg m⁻³, respectively). In simple linear regression models residential indoor concentrations were the best predictors of personal exposure concentrations. Correlations (r²) between PM_2.5 personal exposure concentrations of all participants, both smoking and non-smoking, and residential indoor, workplace indoor, residential outdoor and ambient fixed site concentrations were 0.53, 0.38, 0.17 and 0.16, respectively. Predictors for personal exposure concentrations of non-ETS exposed participants identified in multiple regression were residential indoor concentrations, workplace concentrations and traffic density in the nearest street from home, which accounted for 77% of the variance. Subsequently, step-wise regression not including residential and workplace indoor concentrations as input (as these are frequently not available), identified ambient PM_2.5 concentration and home location, as predictors of personal exposure, accounting for 47% of the variance. Ambient fixed site PM_2.5 concentrations were closely related to residential outdoor concentrations (r²=0.9, p=0.000) and PM_2.5 personal exposure concentrations were higher in summer than during other seasons. Personal exposure concentrations were significantly (p=0.040) higher for individuals living downtown compared with individuals in suburban family homes. Further analysis will focus on comparisons of determinants between Helsinki and other EXPOLIS centers.     

Ambient air quality of two metropolitan cities of Pakistan and its health implications

The present study reports findings on TSP loading in the ambient air of two major cities in Pakistan – Karachi and Islamabad. Data for TSP were collected at one site in Karachi and two in Islamabad between 10 December 1998 and 08 January 1999. This article reports one of the highest TSP loadings recorded so far in any megacity of the world. During the study period, average daily TSP concentrations at the Karachi site ranged from 627 to 938 μg m⁻³ with a mean of 668 μg m⁻³. On four occasions TSP concentrations were >1000 μg m⁻³ (range 1031–1736 μg m⁻³). At the Islamabad sampling site in close proximity to the city's industrial sector, daily TSP concentrations varied in the range of 428–998 μg m⁻³ (mean 691 μg m⁻³). Even at a relatively remote site of the city (Saidpur), TSP loading was high (range 145–448 μg m⁻³; mean 275 μg m⁻³). By virtue of the WHO definition, the 24-h average TSP concentrations in a busy commercial site in Karachi and in the vicinity of an industrial sector in Islamabad were in “exceedance” by a factor of 4–8. At Saidpur, the remote site, the 24-h average TSP loading exceeded the WHO guideline of 120 μg m⁻³ by a factor of 1.2–3.7.     

Source apportionment of ambient PM2.5 at five spanish centres of the european community respiratory health survey (ECRHS II)

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) was sampled at 5 Spanish locations during the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II). In an attempt to identify and quantify PM_2.5 sources, source contribution analysis by principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on five datasets containing elemental composition of PM_2.5 analysed by ED-XRF. A total of 4–5 factors were identified at each site, three of them being common to all sites (interpreted as traffic, mineral and secondary aerosols) whereas industrial sources were site-specific. Sea-salt was identified as independent source at all coastal locations except for Barcelona (where it was clustered with secondary aerosols). Despite their typically dominant coarse grain-size distribution, mineral and marine aerosols were clearly observed in PM_2.5. Multi-linear regression analysis (MLRA) was applied to the data, showing that traffic was the main source of PM_2.5 at the five sites (39–53% of PM_2.5, 5.1–12.0 μg m⁻³), while regional-scale secondary aerosols accounted for 14–34% of PM_2.5 (2.6–4.5 μg m⁻³), mineral matter for 13–31% (2.4–4.6 μg m⁻³) and sea-salt made up 3–7% of the PM_2.5 mass (0.4–1.3 μg m⁻³). Consequently, despite regional and climatic variability throughout Spain, the same four main PM_2.5 emission sources were identified at all the study sites and the differences between the relative contributions of each of these sources varied at most 20%. This would corroborate PM_2.5 as a useful parameter for health studies and environmental policy-making, owing to the fact that it is not as subject to the influence of micro-sitting as other parameters such as PM₁₀. African dust inputs were observed in the mineral source, adding on average 4–11 μg m⁻³ to the PM_2.5 daily mean during dust outbreaks. On average, levels of Al, Si, Ti and Fe during African episodes were higher by a factor of 2–8 with respect to non-African days, whereas levels of local pollutants (absorption coefficient, S, Pb, Cl) showed smaller variations (factor of 0.5–2).     

Air–water exchange fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the tropical coast,Taiwan

Air–water exchange fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were simultaneously measured in air and water samples from two sites on the Kenting coast, located at the southern tip of Taiwan, from January to December 2010. There was no significant difference in the total PAH (t-PAH) concentrations in both gas and dissolved phases between these two sites due to the less local input which also coincided to the low levels of t-PAH concentration; the gas and dissolved phases averaged 1.29 ± 0.59 ng m^?3 and 2.17 ± 1.19 ng L^?1 respectively. The direction and magnitude of the daily flux of PAHs were significantly influenced by wind speed and dissolved PAH concentrations. Individual PAH flux ranged from 627 ng m^?2 d^?1 volatilization of phenanthrene during the rainy season with storm–water discharges raising dissolved phase concentration, to 67 ng m^?2 d^?1 absorption of fluoranthene during high wind speed periods. Due to PAH annual fluxes through air–water exchange, Kenting seawater is a source of low molecular weight PAHs and a reservoir of high molecular weight PAHs. Estimated annual volatilization fluxes ranged from 7.3 μg m^?2 yr^?1 for pyrene to 50 μg m^?2 yr^?1 for phenanthrene and the absorption fluxes ranged from ?2.6 μg m^?2 yr^?1 for chrysene to ?3.5 μg m^?2 yr^?1 for fluoranthene.     

Biogenic emission of dimethylsulfide (DMS) from the North Yellow Sea,China and its contribution to sulfate in aerosol during summer

Seawater, atmospheric dimethylsulfide (DMS) and aerosol compounds, potentially linked with DMS oxidation, such as methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO₄^2?) were determined in the North Yellow Sea, China during July–August, 2006. The concentrations of seawater and atmospheric DMS ranged from 2.01 to 11.79 nmol l^?1 and from 1.68 to 8.26 nmol m^?3, with average values of 6.20 nmol l^?1 and 5.01 nmol m^?3, respectively. Owing to the appreciable concentration gradient, DMS accumulated in the surface water was transferred into the atmosphere, leading to a net sea-to-air flux of 6.87 μmol m^?2 d^?1 during summer. In the surface seawater, high DMS values corresponded well with the concurrent increases in chlorophyll a levels and a significant correlation was observed between integrated DMS and chlorophyll a concentrations. In addition, the concentrations of MSA and nss-SO₄^2? measured in the aerosol samples ranged from 0.012 to 0.079 μg m^?3 and from 3.82 to 11.72 μg m^?3, with average values of 0.039 and 7.40 μg m^?3, respectively. Based on the observed MSA, nss-SO₄^2? and their ratio, the relative biogenic sulfur contribution was estimated to range from 1.2% to 11.5%, implying the major contribution of anthropogenic source to sulfur budget in the study area.     

Particulate matter and manganese exposures in Toronto,Canada

Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is a manganese-based gasoline additive used to enhance automobile performance. MMT has been used in Canadian gasoline for about 20 yr. Because of the potential for increased levels of Mn in particulate matter resulting from automotive exhausts, a large-scale population-based exposure study (∼1000 participant periods) was conducted in Toronto, Canada, to estimate the distribution of 3-day average personal exposures to particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and Mn. A stratified, three-stage, two-phase probability, longitudinal sample design of the metropolitan population was employed. Residential indoor and outdoor, and ambient levels (at a fixed site and on a roof) of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and Mn were also measured. Supplementary data on traffic counts, meteorology, MMT levels in gasoline, personal occupations, and activities (e.g. amount of vehicular usage) were collected. Overall precision (%RSD) for analysis of duplicate co-located samples ranged from 2.5 to 5.0% for particulate matter and 3.1 to 5.5% for Mn. The detection limits were 1.47 and 3.45 μg m^-3 for the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 fractions, respectively, and 5.50 and 1.83 ng m^-3 for Mn in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, respectively. These low detection limits permitted the reporting of concentrations for >98% of the samples. For PM₁₀, the personal particulate matter levels (median 48.5 μg m^-3) were much higher than either indoor (23.1 μg m^-3) or outdoor levels (23.6 μg m^-3). The median levels for PM_2.5 for personal, indoor, and outdoor were 28.4, 15.4 and 13.2 μg m^-3, respectively. The correlation between PM_2.5 personal exposures and indoor concentrations was high (0.79), while correlations between personal and the outdoor, fixed site and roof site were low (0.16–0.27). Indoor Mn concentration distributions (in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), unlike particulate matter, exhibited much lower and less variable levels that the corresponding outdoor data. The median personal exposure was 8.0 ng m^-3, compared with 4.7 and 8.6 ng m^-3, respectively, for the indoor and outdoor distributions. The highest correlations occurred for personal vs indoor data (0.56) and for outdoor vs roof site data (0.66), and vs fixed site data (0.56). The concentration of Mn in particulate matter, expressed in ppm (w/w), revealed that the fixed site was the highest, followed by the roof site, outdoor, indoor, and personal. The personal and indoor data showed a statistically significant correlation (0.68) while all other correlations between personal or indoor data and outdoor or fixed-site data were quite small. The low correlations of personal and indoor levels with outdoor levels suggest that different sources in the indoor and outdoor microenvironments produce particle matter with dissimilar composition. The correlation results indicate that neither the roof- nor fixed-site concentrations can adequately predict personal particulate matter or Mn exposures.     

Comparative analysis of organic and elemental carbon concentrations in carbonaceous aerosols in three European cities

Sampling and analysis of carbonaceous compounds in particulate matter presents a number of difficulties related to artefacts during sampling and to the distinction between organic (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) during analysis. Our study reports on a comparative analysis of OC, EC and WSOC (water-soluble organic carbon) concentrations, as well as sampling artefacts, for PM2.5 aerosol in three European cities (Amsterdam, Barcelona and Ghent) representing Southern and Western European urban environments. Comparability of results was ensured by using a single system for sample analysis from the different sites. OC and EC concentrations were higher in the vicinity of roads, thus having higher levels in Amsterdam (3.9–6.7 and 1.7–1.9 μg m⁻³, respectively) and Barcelona (3.6–6.9 and 1.5–2.6 μg m⁻³) than in Ghent (2.7–5.4 and 0.8–1.2 μg m⁻³). A relatively larger influence of secondary organic aerosols (SOA), as deduced from a larger OC/EC ratio, was observed in Ghent. In absolute sense, WSOC concentrations were similar at the three sites (1.0–2.3 μg m⁻³). Positive artefacts were higher in Southern (11–16% of the OC concentration in Barcelona) than in Western Europe (5–12% in Amsterdam, 5–7% in Ghent). During special episodes, the contribution of carbonaceous aerosols from non-local sources accounted for 67–69% of the OC concentration in Western Europe, and for 44% in Southern Europe.     

Spatial and chemical patterns of PM10 in road dust deposited in urban environment

Recent research interest has been focused on road dust resuspension as one of the major sources of atmospheric particulate matter in an urban environment. Given the dearth of studies on the variability of the PM₁₀ fraction of road deposited sediments, our understanding of the main factors controlling this pollutant is incomplete. In the present study a new sampling methodology was devised and applied to collect PM₁₀ deposited mass from 1 m² of road pavement. PM₁₀ road dust fraction was sampled directly from active traffic lanes at 23 sampling sites during a campaign in Barcelona (Spain) in June 2007. The aim of the study was to gain more insight into the variability of mass and chemistry of road dust in different urban environments, such as the city centre, ring roads, and locations nearby demolition/construction sites. The city centre showed values of PM₁₀ road dust within a range of 3–23 mg m^?2, whereas levels reached 24–80 mg m^?2 in locations affected by transport of uncovered heavy trucks. The largest dust loads were measured in the proximity of demolition/construction sites and the harbor entry with values up to 328 mg m^?2.The city centre road dust profiles (%) were enriched in OC, EC, Fe, S, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Sb, Sn, Mo, Zr, Hf, Ge, Ba, Pb, Bi, SO₄^2?, NO₃^?, Cl^? and NH₄⁺, but several crustal components such as Ca, Ti, Na, and Mg were also considerably concentrated. Locations affected by construction and demolition activities had high levels of crustal components such as Ca, Li, Sc, Sr, Rb and also As whereas ring roads, characterized by a higher load of uncovered heavy trucks showed an intermediate composition.Levels of PM₁₀ components per area were also evaluated to quantify the resuspendable amount of each element from 1 m². In the inner city environment mean values of 1363 μg Ca m^?2, 816 μg OC m^?2, 239 μg EC m^?2, 13 μg Cu m^?2, 12 μg Zn m^?2, 1.9 μg Sb m^?2 and 2.0 μg Pb m^?2, in PM₁₀ in all cases, were registered.Moreover the deposited PM load at demolition/construction sites acts as a reservoir or trap for traffic-related particles, which gives rise to large amounts of hazardous pollutants, available for resuspension.     

Historical deposition of mercury and selected trace elements to high-elevation National Parks in the Western U.S. inferred from lake-sediment cores

Atmospheric deposition of Hg and selected trace elements was reconstructed over the past 150 years using sediment cores collected from nine remote, high-elevation lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Glacier National Park in Montana. Cores were age dated by ²¹⁰Pb, and sedimentation rates were determined using the constant rate of supply model. Hg concentrations in most of the cores began to increase around 1900, reaching a peak sometime after 1980. Other trace elements, particularly Pb and Cd, showed similar post-industrial increases in lake sediments, confirming that anthropogenic contaminants are reaching remote areas of the Rocky Mountains via atmospheric transport and deposition. Preindustrial (pre-1875) Hg fluxes in the sediment ranged from 5.7 to 42 μg m^?2 yr^?1 and modern (post-1985) fluxes ranged from 17.7 to 141 μg m^?2 yr^?1. The average ratio of modern to preindustrial fluxes was 3.2, which is similar to remote lakes elsewhere in North America. Estimates of net atmospheric deposition based on the cores were 3.1 μg m^?2 yr^?1 for preindustrial and 11.7 μg m^?2 yr^?1 for modern times. Current-day measurements of wet deposition range from 5.0 to 8.6 μg m^?2 yr^?1, which are lower than the modern sediment-based estimate of 11.7 μg m^?2 yr^?1, perhaps owing to inputs of dry-deposited Hg to the lakes.     

Investigations into a novel method for atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon monitoring

A novel analytical method for atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was developed based on laser induced fluorescence (LIF) of samples on quartz multi-channel polydimethylsiloxane traps. A tunable dye laser with a frequency doubling crystal provided the excitation radiation, and a double monochromator with a photomultiplier tube detected emitted fluorescence. The method allowed for the rapid (<5 min), cost effective analysis of samples. Those yielding interesting results could be further analysed by direct thermal desorption-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD–GC–MS, with limits of detection of ～0.3 ng m^?3), as photodegradation was minimal (<10% over 5 min irradiation). Small amounts of naphthalene photodegradation products identified by TD–GC–MS after >15 min irradiation, included phenol, benzyl alcohol and phthalic anhydride. Without any signal optimization, a LIF detection limit of ～1 μg m^?3 was established for naphthalene using a diffusion tube (diffusion rate of 2 ng s^?1) and 292 nm excitation.     

Aqueous-phase reactive uptake of dicarbonyls as a source of organic aerosol over eastern North America

We use a global 3-D atmospheric chemistry model (GEOS-Chem) to simulate surface and aircraft measurements of organic carbon (OC) aerosol over eastern North America during summer 2004 (ICARTT aircraft campaign), with the goal of evaluating the potential importance of a new secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation pathway via irreversible uptake of dicarbonyl gases (glyoxal and methylglyoxal) by aqueous particles. Both dicarbonyls are predominantly produced in the atmosphere by isoprene, with minor contributions from other biogenic and anthropogenic precursors. Dicarbonyl SOA formation is represented by a reactive uptake coefficient γ = 2.9 × 10^?3 and takes place mainly in clouds. Surface measurements of OC aerosol at the IMPROVE network in the eastern U.S. average 2.2 ± 0.7 μg C m^?3 for July–August 2004 with little regional structure. The corresponding model concentration is 2.8 ± 0.8 μg C m^?3, also with little regional structure due to compensating spatial patterns of biogenic, anthropogenic, and fire contributions. Aircraft measurements of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) aerosol average 2.2 ± 1.2 μg C m^?3 in the boundary layer (<2 km) and 0.9 ± 0.8 μg C m^?3 in the free troposphere (2–6 km), consistent with the model (2.0 ± 1.2 μg C m^?3 in the boundary layer and 1.1 ± 1.0 μg C m^?3 in the free troposphere). Source attribution for the WSOC aerosol in the model boundary layer is 27% anthropogenic, 18% fire, 28% semi-volatile SOA, and 27% dicarbonyl SOA. In the free troposphere it is 13% anthropogenic, 37% fire, 23% semi-volatile SOA, and 27% dicarbonyl SOA. Inclusion of dicarbonyl SOA doubles the SOA contribution to WSOC aerosol at all altitudes. Observed and simulated correlations of WSOC aerosol with other chemical variables measured aboard the aircraft suggest a major SOA source in the free troposphere compatible with the dicarbonyl mechanism.     

Black carbon aerosols in urban air in South Asia

We report data from a yearlong (2006–2007) study of black carbon concentrations ([BC]) measured at 5-min intervals with an Aethalometer in Karachi, Pakistan. Daily mean [BC] varied from about 1 to 15 μg m^?3. However, short-term spikes exceeding 40 μg m^?3 were common, occurring primarily during the morning and evening rush-hour periods. The [BC] values were highest during November through February, ～10 μg m^?3, and lowest during June through September, ～2 μg m^?3. Diurnal, seasonal, and day-of-the-week trends are discussed. It is demonstrated that these trends are strongly affected by meteorological patterns. A simple expression is applied to the concentration profiles to separate the effects of meteorological conditions and elucidate the underlying emissions patterns. Daily emissions varied from 14,000 to 22,000 kg of BC per day. When integrated over the year emissions for Karachi Proper were estimated at 6.7 kilometric tons per year and emissions for greater Karachi were 17.5 kilometric tons per year. Folding in the populations of each area yields BC emissions of 0.74 and 1.1 kg per person per year, respectively. Applying the model to previously collected data at Lahore, Pakistan yields emissions during November–January that are around a factor of two higher than those in Karachi, but because the BC measurements in Lahore covered only three months, no estimates of annual emissions were attempted. Given the large populations of these cities the local health impact from PM alone is expected to be severe but because of the high [BC] emissions the impact on the global climate may be equally significant.     

Reference values for structure emissions measured on site in new residential buildings in Finland

A 3-year research project was established in 1999 to create numerical reference data for material emissions during the time of construction and during the first year. Seven buildings, representing the present construction practice in Finland, were investigated. Material emissions were measured by using the field and laboratory cell (FLEC) during the time of construction, in the newly finished, and in the 6- and 12-month-old buildings. The emission rates for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and ammonia were determined.The highest total VOCs (TVOC) emissions were measured in the newly finished buildings from the ceiling structure and from some of the PVC floor coverings. These emissions were up to 1300–2000 μg m⁻² h⁻¹. Individual VOCs with emission rates above 50 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ included 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol and its acetate, C4–C16-substituted alkylbenzenes, and xylenes. The mean TVOC emission decreased at least to the Finnish M1-class level (200 μg m⁻² h⁻¹) from all surfaces and in all the buildings in 6–12 months. The ammonia and formaldehyde emissions from the ceiling structure were 20–60 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the newly finished buildings and the M1-levels (30/50 μg m⁻² h⁻¹) were exceeded in some cases. These emissions even increased in some buildings during the follow-up period indicating the difference between emissions measured in the laboratory and on site from real structures. Reference values based on the means and 95th percentile are presented to be utilised in both quality control and while investigating indoor air quality problems which are suspected to be caused by a defect structure.