Determination of response of real-time SidePak AM510 monitor to secondhand smoke, other common indoor aerosols, and outdoor aerosol

The amount of light scattered by airborne particles inside an aerosol photometer will vary not only with the mass concentration, but also with particle properties such as size, shape, and composition. This study conducted controlled experiments to compare the measurements of a real-time photometer, the SidePak AM510 monitor (SidePak), with gravimetric mass. PM sources tested were outdoor aerosols, and four indoor combustion sources: cigarettes, incense, wood chips, and toasting bread. The calibration factor for rescaling the SidePak measurements to agree with gravimetric mass was similar for the cigarette and incense sources, but different for burning wood chips and toasting bread. The calibration factors for ambient urban aerosols differed substantially from day to day, due to variations in the sources and composition of outdoor PM. A field evaluation inside a casino with active smokers yielded calibration factors consistent with those obtained in the controlled experiments with cigarette smoke.     

Comparison of the SidePak personal monitor with the Aerosol Particle Sizer (APS)

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the TSI Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) and the TSI portable photometer SidePak to measure airborne oil mist particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameters below 10 μm, 2.5 μm and 1 μm (PM(10), PM(2.5) and PM(1)). Three SidePaks each fitted with either a PM(10), PM(2.5) or a PM(1) impactor and an APS were run side by side in a controlled chamber. Oil mist from two different mineral oils and two different drilling fluid systems commonly used in offshore drilling technologies were generated using a nebulizer. Compared to the APS, the SidePaks overestimated the concentration of PM(10) and PM(2.5) by one order of magnitude and PM(1) concentrations by two orders of magnitude after exposure to oil mist for 3.3-6.5 min at concentrations ranging from 0.003 to 18.1 mg m(-3) for PM(10), 0.002 to 3.96 mg m(-3) for PM(2.5) and 0.001 to 0.418 mg m(-3) for PM(1) (as measured by the APS). In a second experiment a SidePak monitor previously exposed to oil mist overestimated PM(10) concentrations by 27% compared to measurements from another SidePak never exposed to oil mist. This could be a result of condensation of oil mist droplets in the optical system of the SidePak. The SidePak is a very useful instrument for personal monitoring in occupational hygiene due to its light weight and quiet pump. However, it may not be suitable for the measurement of particle concentrations from oil mist.     

Dynamics and origin of PM2.5 during a three-year sampling period in Beijing, China

Systematic sampling and analysis were performed to investigate the dynamics and the origin of suspended particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM(2.5)), in Beijing, China from 2005 to 2008. Identifying the source of PM(2.5) was the main goal of this project, which was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The concentrations of 19 elements, black carbon (BC) and the total mass in 158 weekly PM(2.5) samples were measured. The statistical evaluation of the data from factor analysis (FA) identifies four main sources responsible for PM(2.5) in Beijing: (1) a combination of long-range transport geogenic soil particles, geogenic-like particles from construction sites and the anthropogenic emissions from steel factories; (2) road traffic, industry emissions and domestic heating; (3) local re-suspended soil particles; (4) re-suspended particles from refuse disposal/landfills and uncontrolled dumped waste. Special attention has been paid to seven high concentration "episodes", which were further analyzed by FA, enrichment factor analysis (EF), elemental signatures and backward-trajectory analysis. These results suggest that long-range transport soil particles contribute much to the high concentration of PM(2.5) during dust days. This is supported by mineral analysis which showed a clear imprint of component in PM(2.5). Furthermore, the ratios of Mg/Al have been proved to be a good signature to trace back different source areas. The Pb/Ti ratio allows the distinction between periods of predominant anthropogenic and geogenic sources during high concentration episodes. Backward-trajectory analysis clearly shows the origins of these episodes, which partly corroborate the FA and EF results. This study is only a small contribution to the understanding of the meteorological and source driven dynamics of PM(2.5) concentrations.     

睢宁地区大气PM_(2.5)及气态污染物季节性变化特征

根据2014年全年实时在线观测数据,分析了徐州睢宁地区大气细颗粒物(PM_(2.5))和气态污染物(包括SO_2、CO、NO_x、O_3)质量浓度的季节性变化特征。结合后向轨迹模型,分析不同气团对该地区大气污染浓度的影响。PM_(2.5)与O_3值在夏季最低,呈显著相关,表明夏季PM_(2.5)主要受控于本地大气光化学活性。在冬季,除O_3外,PM_(2.5)、SO_2、CO、NO_x值最高,且大气颗粒物主要以细粒子为主。O_3在春季最高,并与远程传输的气团且经过我国东部污染源密集地区相对应。高浓度的PM_(2.5)主要与冬季缓慢移动的气团相对应,这可能将PM_(2.5)及其气态前体物传输至该地区进而加重大气污染程度。     

Diurnal and intra-urban particle concentrations in relation to windspeed and stability during the dry season in three African cities

The spatial and temporal variations of PM(2.5), PM(10) and TSP in three African cities of different sizes (Dar es Salaam, Ouagadougou and Gaborone) were investigated using portable particle counters. Three different areas (downtown, green residential and traditional residential) and a reference site were designated in each of the cities in order to detect intra-urban and temporal variability. Morning, noon and night measurements were conducted in the urban areas while observations at reference stations were made continuously over the field periods. A clear diurnal pattern in particle concentrations was found in inland Gaborone and Ouagadougou, with morning and night peaks where the latter was the highest. However, in coastal Dar es Salaam the night peak was almost absent due to delayed stabilisation of the air. Particle concentrations at the Ouagadougou reference station were extreme. The direct contribution of vehicle emissions are of secondary importance since the PM(2.5)/PM(10) ratios are low (0.1-0.3). Much of the particles are supposed to be soil particles that are entrained in the air by daytime high windspeeds followed by nighttime subsidence as the air is stabilised and windspeed decreases. However, in all three cities, resuspension are important as areas with a network of unpaved roads showed the highest concentrations of suspended particles. Generally, the central business district had the lowest concentrations of particulate matter.     

乌鲁木齐市大气PM2.5中重金属元素含量和富集特征

利用PM2.5／PM10便携式采样器采集了乌鲁木齐市5个功能区PM2.5,样品,用TAS-990石墨炉原子吸收光谱仪检测了PM2.5样品中Cd、Cu、Ni、Pb、Mn的含量。结果表明,乌鲁木齐大气PM2.5质量浓度变化趋势是冬季采暖盛期〉秋季采暖初期〉春季停暖初期〉夏季停暖期。参照《环境空气质量标准》（GB3095—2012）中的二级标准,采样期间卡子湾水泥厂区样品全部超标,其余4个采样点样品在冬季采暖盛期也全部超标,部分样品在非采暖期超标。富集因子法分析表明,乌鲁木齐市5个采样区PM2.5样品中Ni、Cu、Cd、Pb污染主要来自于人类活动,Mn则来源于地壳物质。     

Local and regional air pollution in Ireland during an intensive aerosol measurement campaign

An intensive two month measurement campaign has been performed during a two year study of major component composition of urban PM10 and PM2.5 in Ireland (J. Yin, A. G. Allen, R. M. Harrison, S. G. Jennings, E. Wright, M. Fitzpatrick, T. Healy, E. Barry, D. Ceburnis and D. McCusker, Atmos. Res., 2005, 78(3-4), 149-165). Measurements included size-segregated mass, soluble ions, elemental carbon (EC) distributions, fine and coarse fraction organic carbon (OC) and major gases along with standard meteorological measurements. The study revealed that urban emissions in Ireland had mainly a local character and therefore were confined within a limited area of 20-30 km radius, without significantly affecting regional air quality. Gaseous measurements have shown that urban emissions in Ireland had clear, but fairly limited influence on the regional air quality due to favorable mixing conditions at higher wind speeds, in particular from the western sector. Size-segregated mass and chemical measurements revealed a clear demarcation size between accumulation and coarse modes at about 0.8 microm which was constant at all sites. Carbonaceous compounds at the urban site accounted for up to 90% of the particle mass in a size range of 0.066-0.61 microm. Nss SO4(2-) concentrations in PM2.5 were only slightly higher at the urban site compared to the rural or coastal sites, while NO3- and NH4+ concentrations were similar at the urban and coastal sites, but were a factor of 2 to 3 higher than at the rural site. OC was highly variable between the sites and revealed clear seasonal differences. Natural or biogenic OC component accounted for <10% in winter and up to 30% in summer of the PM2.5 OC at urban sites. A contribution of biogenic OC component to PM2.5 OC mass at rural site was dominant.     

污染源减排对长三角区域冬季细颗粒物污染的敏感性研究

为了进一步精准有效地降低细颗粒物浓度,针对长三角区域细颗粒物PM2.5浓度,选取8个省级区域的5种污染物为减排目标,设定5个基准排放情景,采用CMAQ-DDM敏感性技术分别进行敏感性分析。结果表明,冬季长三角区域PM2.5污染受区域内的4个省级区域一次PM2.5排放影响最大,区域外的排放影响主要来自河南省和山东省的氨气和一次PM2.5。分别削减本地60%一次PM2.5的排放,安徽省PM2.5平均质量浓度下降了23. 24μg/m^3,江苏省下降了18. 32μg/m^3,上海市下降了15. 17μg/m^3,浙江省下降了9. 07μg/m3。综合各省(市)浓度响应曲线,最大排放因子均为本地一次PM2.5,削减20%左右存在敏感性最大值,削减60%之后浓度曲线趋于平缓,其他因子削减40%以后PM2.5浓度下降逐渐明显,对最后一位排放因子的响应则比较平缓。     

Characteristics of particulate matter pollution in the Pearl River Delta region, China: an observational-based analysis of two monitoring sites

Two-year monitoring data (2006 and 2009), collected at the sub-urban site (WQS) and the background site (TH), were used to study the characteristics of Particulate Matter (PM) pollution in the Pearl River Delta region, China. Similar levels of PM(2.5) concentration measured at both sites seem to confirm that the fine particles have emerged as a major regional pollution issue. The seasonal variation of PM(2.5) concentration is associated with the regional monsoon circulations while the diurnal variation is related to land-sea breeze, traffic emissions and boundary layer development. Negative correlation was found in PM(2.5)-wind speed and PM(2.5)-humidity. Analysis of radiation, temperature and ozone suggests the existence of secondary aerosol formation. Transport effect may be another contributing factor to high PM pollution in the region, such as occasional long-distance dust intrusion and trans-boundary effects from upwind areas.     

Evaluation and optimization of an urban PM2.5 monitoring network

The objective of this study was to evaluate the PM(2.5) monitoring network established in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky metropolitan area for measuring the 24 h integrated PM(2.5) concentration, as well as-at selected sites-hourly PM(2.5) concentration and 24 h integrated PM(2.5) speciation. The data collected during three years at 13 measurement sites were analyzed for spatial and temporal variations. It was found that both daily and hourly concentrations of PM(2.5) have low spatial variation due to a regional influence of secondary ammonium sulfate. In contrast, the trace element concentrations had high spatial variation. Seasonal variation accounted for most of the total temporal variation (60%), while yearly, monthly, weekly and daily variations were lower. The variance components and cluster analyses were applied to optimize the number of sites for measuring the 24 h PM(2.5) concentration. It was found that the 13-site network may be optimized by reducing the number of sites to 8, which would result in a relative precision reduction of 9% and a relative cost reduction of 36%. At the same time, the data suggest that the spatial resolution of speciation monitors and real-time PM(2.5) mass monitors should be increased to better represent spatial and temporal variations of the markers of local air pollution sources.     

Development of monitoring technology for airborne particulate matter

Particulate matter suspended in the air has adverse effects onhuman health. Its level of concentration is an important parameter in evaluating the degree of hazard it poses to the atmosphere. Conventional methods used in measuring particulatematter are often filter-based, which indicates some disadvantagesbecause such a base requires labor and time. In this study, to achieve real-time measurements, a new electrical method was developed for measuring PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. The basicprinciple is to electrically charge particles passing through thePM inlet using a corona charger and measure the currents createdby charged particles to obtain the number concentration of particulate matter. A new type inlet based on the particle cupimpactor configuration was designed and its performance was evaluated. A unipolar diffusion charger was developed and thecharger's efficiency was determined experimentally in terms ofPn, which represents the penetration through the charger,P, times the average charge number acquired by a particle,n, for different particle sizes. The correlation was constructed between the PM10 (or the PM2.5) mass concentrationsand the electrical currents due to particles, which were chargedby the diffusion charger.     

Concentration gradient patterns of aerosol particles near interstate highways in the Greater Cincinnati airshed

The objective of this study was to determine if there is an exposure gradient in particulate matter concentrations for people living near interstate highways, and to determine how far from the highway the gradient extends. Air samples were collected in a residential area of Greater Cincinnati in the vicinity of two major highways. The measurements were conducted at different distances from the highways by using ultrafine particle counters (measurement range: 0.02-1 microm), optical particle counters (0.3-20 microm), and PM2.5 Harvard Impactors (0.02-2.5 microm). The collected PM2.5 samples were analyzed for mass concentration, for elemental and organic carbon, and for elemental concentrations. The results show that the aerosol concentration gradient was most clearly seen in the particle number concentration measured by the ultrafine particle counters. The concentration of ultrafine particles decreased to half between the sampling points located at 50 m and 150 m downwind from the highway. Additionally, elemental analysis revealed a gradient in sulfur concentrations up to 400 m from the highway in a residential area that does not have major nearby industrial sources. This gradient was qualitatively attributed to the sulfate particle emissions from diesel engine exhausts, and was supported by the concentration data on several key elements indicative of traffic sources (road dust and diesel exhaust). As different particulate components gave different profiles of the diesel exposure gradient, these results indicate that no single element or component of diesel exhaust can be used as a surrogate for diesel exposure, but more comprehensive signature analysis is needed. This characterization is crucial especially when the exposure data are to be used in epidemiological studies.     

基于Landsat 8卫星OLI影像遥感反演盐城市区域大气能见度状况

利用遥感软件ENVI 5.2的FLAASH大气校正模块,对盐城市2013—2014年共22景Landsat 8卫星OLI影像进行了区域大气能见度遥感反演,并与盐城市环境监测中心站的空气自动监测子站的PM10、PM2.5以及当地气象部门的能见度观测数据进行了对比。结果表明,OLI遥感影像可以对区域尺度大气能见度进行有效的观测,反演的区域性大气能见度水平与地面空气质量自动监测结果存在消长关系,与地面能见度数据有近70%的一致性。     

青岛市区春夏季大气能见度与颗粒物的关系

利用青岛市灰霾综合观测站2012年3月2日-2012年6月7日期间的监测数据,分析了青岛市区大气能见度与不同粒径颗粒物质量浓度的日变化特征,比较了各级别大气能见度下不同粒径颗粒物质量浓度及所占比例的相关性,研究了相对湿度对大气能见度和颗粒物质量浓度相关性的影响.结果表明,监测时段大气能见度与颗粒物质量浓度呈现较好的负相关,每天大气能见度最低值出现在早晨07:00--09:00;剔除相对湿度高于90％的前提下,PM2.5是影响大气能见度的主要因子,随着其在PM1o中所占比例上升,大气能见度级别不断下降,相关系数为-0.84;不同相对湿度区间下,PM2.5对大气能见度的影响最明显,其中,相对湿度为60％ ～ 70％,大气能见度与颗粒物质量浓度之间的相关性最好.     

Monitoring of cotton dust and health risk assessment in small-scale weaving industry

The present study describes the estimation of particulate matter (cotton dust) with different sizes, i.e., PM(1.0), PM(2.5), PM(4.0), and PM(10.0 μm) in small-scale weaving industry (power looms) situated in district Hafizabad, Punjab, Pakistan, and the assessment of health problems of workers associated with these pollutants. A significant difference was found in PM(1.0), PM(2.5), PM(4.0), and PM(10.0) with reference to nine different sampling stations with p values <0.05. Multiple comparisons of particulate matter with respect to size, i.e. PM(1.0), PM(2.5), PM(4.0), and PM(10.0), depict that PM(1.0) differs significantly from PM(2.5), PM(4.0), and PM(10.0), with p values <0.05 and that PM(2.5) differs significantly from PM(1.0) and PM(10.0), with p values <0.05, whereas PM(2.5) differs non-significantly from PM(4.0), with a p value >0.05 in defined sampling stations on an average basis. Majority of the workers were facing several diseases due to interaction with particulate matter (cotton dust) during working hours. Flue, cough, eye, and skin infections were the most common diseases among workers caused by particulate matter (cotton dust).     

基于GIS的石家庄市PM10和PM2.5时空分布研究

利用2018年261个乡镇环境空气自动监测站监测数据,结合GIS空间分析技术,对石家庄市PM10和PM2.5的时空污染特征进行了研究。结果表明,石家庄地区PM10和PM2.5污染的空间分布整体表现为西北部山区好于东南部的平原地区,主城区好于周边县(市、区)的特征。采暖期PM10和PM2.5的污染程度明显重于非采暖期。PM2.5稳定性差于PM10,PM10和PM2.5的稳定性与污染程度具有一定的负相关性,表现出污染越轻的区域稳定性越差。两者的日均值浓度变化在时间序列上呈极强正相关,且污染越重的区域时间相关性越强。与日均值相关性不同,污染程度越轻的区域PM10和PM2.5年均值的线性相关性越强。     

Spatiotemporal analysis of the PM10 concentration over the Taranto area

In this paper, an analysis of air quality data is provided for the municipal area of Taranto (southern Italy) characterized by high environmental risks as formally decreed by the Italian government in the 1990s with two administrative measures. This is due to the massive presence of industrial sites with elevated environmental impact activities along the NW boundary of the city conurbation. The aforementioned activities have effects on the environment and on public health, as a number of epidemiological researches concerning this area reconfirm. The present study is focused on particulate matter as measured by PM10 concentrations at 13 monitoring stations, equipped with analogous instruments based on the Beta absorption technology, either reporting hourly, two-hourly, or daily measurements. Daily estimates of the PM10 concentration surfaces are obtained in order to identify areas of higher concentration (hot spots), possibly related to specific anthropic activities. Preliminary analysis involved addressing several data problems: (1) due to the use of two different validation techniques, a calibration procedure was devised to allow for data comparability; (2) imputation techniques were considered to cope with the large number of missing data, due to both different working periods and occasional malfunctions of PM10 sensors; and (3) reliable weather covariates (wind speed and direction, pressure, temperature, etc.) were obtained and considered within the analysis. Spatiotemporal modelling was addressed by a Bayesian kriging-based model proposed by Le and Zidek (2006) characterized by the use of time varying covariates and a semiparametric covariance structure. Advantages and disadvantages of the model are highlighted and assessed in terms of fit and performance. Estimated daily PM10 concentration surfaces are suitable for the interpretation of time trends and for identifying concentration peaks within the urban area.     

基于后向轨迹模式的区域大气污染及传输特征分析

选取南京市2017年PM2.5逐时观测数据,分析其颗粒物污染特征,并利用聚类分析、潜在源贡献因子法和GDAS气象数据,分析不同高度、季节下南京市主要气流输送路径及PM2.5污染的主要潜在源区。结果表明：南京市PM2.5污染冬季最严重,夏季最轻,逐时PM2.5浓度变化范围夏季小于冬季;夏季气流轨迹主要来自东南方向,秋冬春等季节以偏西和西北路径为主,且随着高度的增加,气流输送速度逐渐加快;冬季对南京市PM2.5污染的贡献最为显著,低层PM2.5污染贡献源区主要集中在近地区域,且贡献率较高,随着高度的增加,贡献源区由研究区域向四周辐散,贡献范围广,贡献率降低。     

Intercomparison of five PM10 monitoring devices and the implications for exposure measurement in epidemiological research

Five different instruments for the determination of the mass concentration of PM10 in air were compared side-by-side for up to 33 days in an undisturbed indoor environment: a tripod mounted BGI Inc. PQ100 gravimetric sampler with a US EPA certified Graseby Andersen PM10 inlet; an Airmetrics Minivol static gravimetric sampler; a Casella cyclone gravimetric personal sampler; an Institute of Occupational Medicine gravimetric PM10 personal sampler; and two TSI Inc. Dustrak real-time optical scattering personal samplers. For 24 h sampling of ambient PM10 concentrations around 10 microg m(-3), the estimated measurement uncertainty for the two gravimetric personal samplers was larger (approximately +/- 20%) compared with estimated measurement uncertainty for the PQ100/Graseby Andersen sampler (< +/- 5%). Measurement uncertainty for the Dustraks was lower (approximately +/- 15% on average) but calibration of the optical response against a reference PM10 method is essential since the Dustraks systematically over-read PM10 determined gravimetrically by a factor approximately 2.2. However, once calibrated, the Dustrak devices demonstrated excellent functionality in terms of ease of portability and real-time data acquisition. Estimated measurement uncertainty for PM10 concentrations determined with the Minivol were +/- 5%. The Minivol data correlated well with PQ100/Graseby Andersen data (r= 0.97, n = 18) but were, on average, 23% greater. The reason for the systematic discrepancy could not be traced. Intercomparison experiments such as these are essential for assessing measurement error and revealing systematic bias. Application of two Dustraks demonstrated the spatial and temporal variability of exposure to PM10 in different walking and transport microenvironments in the city of Edinburgh, UK. For example, very large exposures to PM10 were identified for the lower deck of a double-decker tour bus compared with the open upper deck of the same vehicle. The variability observed emphasises the need to determine truly personal exposure profiles of PM10 for quantifying exposure response relationships for epidemiological studies.     

Characterization of fine aerosol and its inorganic components at two rural locations in New York State

Samples of PM(2.5) were collected to measure the concentrations of its chemical constituents at two rural locations, Potsdam and Stockton, NY from November 2002 to August 2005. These samples were collected on multiple filters at both sites, every third day for a 24-h interval with a speciation network sampler. The Teflo(R) filters were analyzed for PM(2.5) mass by gravimetry, and elemental composition by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Nylasorb(R) filters and Teflo(R) filters were leached with water and analyzed for anions and cations, respectively, by ion chromatography (IC). Fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) mass and its inorganic component measurements were statistically characterized, and the temporal behavior of these species were assessed. Over the entire study period, PM(2.5) mass concentrations were lower at Potsdam (8.35 mug/m(3)) than at Stockton (10.24 mug/m(3)). At both locations, organic matter (OM) was the highest contributor to mass. Sulfate was the second highest contributor to mass at 27.0% at Potsdam, and 28.7% at Stockton. Nitrate contributions to mass of 8.9 and 9.5% at Potsdam and Stockton, respectively, were the third highest. At both locations, fine PM mass exhibited an annual cycle with a pronounced summer peak and indications of another peak during the winter, consistent with an overall increase in the rate of secondary aerosol formation during the summer, and increased partitioning of ammonium nitrate to the particle phase and condensation of other semi-volatiles during the winter, respectively. An ion-balance analysis indicated that at both locations, during the summers as well as in the winters, the aerosol was acidic. Lognormal frequency distribution fits to the measured mass concentrations on a seasonal basis indicated the overall increase in particle phase secondary aerosol (sulfate and SOA) concentrations during the summers compared to the winters at both locations.