Aerosol Particle Number Concentration Measurements in Five European Cities Using TSI-3022 Condensation Particle Counter over a Three-Year Period during Health Effects of Air Pollution on Susceptible Subpopulations

Abstract

In this study, long-term aerosol particle total number concentration measurements in five metropolitan areas across Europe are presented. The measurements have been carried out in Augsburg, Barcelona, Helsinki, Rome, and Stockholm using the same instrument, a condensation particle counter (TSI model 3022). The results show that in all of the studied cities, the winter concentrations are higher than the summer concentrations. In Helsinki and in Stockholm, winter concentrations are higher by a factor of two and in Augsburg almost by a factor of three compared with summer months. The winter maximum of the monthly average concentrations in these cities is between 10,000 cm^-3 and 20,000 cm^-3, whereas the summer min is ?;5000–6000 cm^-3. In Rome and in Barcelona, the winters are more polluted compared with summers by as much as a factor of 4–10. The winter maximum in both Rome and Barcelona is close to 100,000 cm^-3, whereas the summer minimum is >10,000 cm^-3. During the weekdays the maximum of the hourly average concentrations in all of the cities is detected during the morning hours between 7 and 10 a.m. The evening maxima were present in Barcelona, Rome, and Augsburg, but these were not as pronounced as the morning ones. The daily maxima in Helsinki and Stockholm are close or even lower than the daily minima in the more polluted cities. The concentrations between these two groups of cities are different with a factor of about five during the whole day. The study pointed out the influence of the selection of the measurement site and the configuration of the sampling line on the observed concentrations.     

Statistical modelling of effects on health linked to indoor air pollution, based on kitchen exposure and with reference to a cross-sectional household survey conducted in Nepal

Exposure to suspended particulate matter and carbon monoxide from indoor kitchen air can have significant effects on respiratory health as demonstrated by statistical modelling. Chronic respiratory illnesses and respiratory symptoms are modelled using the techniques of principal component analysis and binary logistic regression. Estimated models are generated from a cross-sectional household survey data conducted in Nepal with 168 respondents who cook for daily meals. The models show that individuals exposed to high levels of indoor air pollution particularly associated with unprocessed solid biomass fuels along with aging, tobacco smoking and living in poorly constructed houses mainly with mud are vulnerable to respiratory disorders.