The results of
Chemkar PM10, the first large scale chemical characterisation project of PM10 in Flanders are presented. Between September 2006 and September 2007 a total of 365 PM10 samples were ...collected by sampling every sixth day at six different sites in Flanders (Belgium) varying in character from urban background to rural. Samples were analysed for a series of elements, elemental and organic carbon,
13C/
12C- and
15N/
14N-isotopic ratios, and water-soluble ions. At three sites extra sampling was carried out to determine PAHs by means of a novel technique that uses sorption tubes consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foam, PDMS particles and a TENAX TA bed. Results showed that the most important fractions were secondary inorganic ions (nitrate, sulphate and ammonium): 41% (12.6
μg
m
−3), organic matter: 20% (6.1
μg
m
−3), crustal matter: 14% (4.3
μg
m
−3), sea salt: 8% (2.4
μg
m
−3) and elemental carbon: 4% (1.2
μg
m
−3). Although the general composition profile was rather similar for the six sites, substantial differences could be observed for some main components and for several trace metals such as chromium, copper, zinc, arsenic and lead. Although the average sum of the “PAH 16” was quite variable between the three sites (between 132 and 248
ng
m
−3) the average sum of the “PAH 7” was between 7 and 9
ng
m
−3 for the three sites. The largest relative differences between sites were found for elemental carbon and crustal matter, thereby indicating that there is some potential for local measures to reduce the concentrations of particulate matter by a few μg
m
−3. Both for carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios significant differences in time were observed. Isotopic differences in location could only be detected for carbon.
In the present study, estimation of the atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was done in particulate samples collected from De Haan, Belgium, during different seasons. The sampling ...site was situated very close to the north sea and far from the influence of local or industrial activities. The levels of PAHs depicted a distinct seasonal trend, being highest during the spring season. The observations of the study indicated a mean value of 2.6 ng m
−3
for concentration of all the 16 US EPA PAHs, thus being significantly lower when compared to results of previous studies focused on other sites. The dominating PAHs species reported were naphthalene, fluoranthene, benzoaanthracene, chrysene, and indeno1,2,3c,d pyrene. Assessment of the seasonal variation of the PAH levels was also done with respect to diagnostic ratio-based source identification, analysis of back trajectories, and principle component analysis. Burning of fossil fuels was observed to be the prominent source of atmospheric PAHs in the study area. Further, lifetime cancer risk assessment was performed to assess the detrimental health impacts on humans on being exposed to atmospheric PAHs. Particulate PAHs present in the ambient air of Belgium shows no carcinogenic health impacts. However, considering the industrial expansion in the region, efforts are required to prevent the environmental contamination of PAHs.
Graphical abstract
Human serum samples (
n
=
142) from Iassy county (Eastern Romania) collected in 2005 were analyzed for
p,
p′-DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, chlordane ...and metabolites and 14 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. In all samples,
p,
p′
-DDE (principal metabolite of
p,
p′
-DDT) and β-HCH (most persistent HCH isomer) were the most abundant organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with median concentrations of 1975 and 923 ng/g lipid weight (lw), respectively. Hexachlorobenzene and
p,
p′
-DDT were also detected in all samples, but at a lower median concentration of 30 and 340 ng/g lw, respectively. The large variation of the ratio
p,
p′
-DDT/
p,
p′
-DDE (range between 0.02 and 0.80) suggests various degrees of exposure to DDT, including recent exposure, at least to some subgroups of the population. Chlordane and its metabolites were in most cases close to the limit of quantification suggesting a very low use of chlordane formulations in Eastern Romania. Unexpectedly, PCBs were present in all samples at sometimes considerable levels (up to 4970 ng/g lw for sum of 14 PCB congeners) indicating a higher exposure of the Romanian population than previously reported. The PCB profile consisted of persistent congeners such as 138, 153, 170 and 180 which contributed for approximately 75% to the sum PCBs. Concentrations of most pollutants correlated significantly with age (
r
>
0.86,
p
<
0.01). Except for
p,
p′
-DDT and γ-HCH, the mean levels of OCPs in females were statistically higher than in males, while, except for octa-CBs, no gender differences were found for PCBs. Levels of
p,
p′
-DDE, penta-CBs, hexa-CBs and hepta-CBs were significantly higher in individuals with a rural main residence. In a pooled serum sample, 6 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners were measured at a level of 1.04 ng/g lw. Compared to results available from Central and Eastern European countries, human serum samples from Romania contained higher levels of contamination. This emphasizes that an extensive and rigorous program for the monitoring of OCPs and PCBs in Romanian population is highly needed in the light of possible adverse health effects acknowledged for these pollutants.
Aerosol samples were collected during two campaigns in February and July 1999 both inside and outside the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten (KMSK, Royal Museum of Fine Arts) in Antwerp. Bulk ...aerosol concentrations, as well as the composition of the individual particles, were determined. The influence of the outdoor aerosol was clearly visible. In winter, restoration and construction works constituted an additional indoor source of Ca-rich and Ca–Si particles. Along with sea salt, these were the main particle types identified in this season. In summer, S-rich particles were most frequent. The summer abundances of Ca-rich particles remained low, even though the museum is situated in a limestone building. Moreover, dry deposition samples were collected in order to determine what amount of particles could actually be deposited onto the works of art.
Indoor and outdoor concentrations of atmospheric gaseous pollutants as well as composition, size, and morphology of particulate matter have been investigated at the monastery of San Jerónimo in ...Granada (Southern Spain). Complementary micro- and nano-analytical techniques were applied; elemental and mineralogical composition and morphological characteristics of particulate matter were investigated combining electron probe microanalysis at the single particle level, and bulk aerosol samples were analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Microclimatic conditions at the monastery were monitored, and gas concentrations were assessed by means of diffusion tubes subsequently analyzed with ion chromatography. Results revealed high abundances of soil dust particles (aluminosilicates, calcite, dolomite, quartz), salt aerosols (chlorides, sulfates and ammonium-rich salts), and NO
2
and SO
2
both outdoors and indoors. Amorphous black carbon particles had surprisingly high abundances for Granada, a non-industrialized city. The composition of indoor particles corresponds to severe weathering affecting the construction materials and artworks inside the church; moreover their composition promotes a feedback process that intensifies the deterioration. Chemical reactions between chloride-rich salts and pigments from paintings were confirmed by TEM analyses. Indoors, blackening of surface decorative materials is fostered by particle re-suspension due to cleaning habits in the monastery (i.e. dusting). This is the first air quality study performed in a monument in the city of Granada with the aim of developing a strategy for preventive conservation.
In the 1970s, a large ambulatory of the National Tile Museum, Lisbon, was closed with glass panes on both ground and first floor. Although this design was meant to protect the museum collection from ...ambient air pollutants, small openings between the glass panes remain, creating a semi-enclosed corridor. The effects of the glass panes on the indoor air quality were evaluated in a comparative study by monitoring the airborne particle concentration and the extent of particle deposition at the enclosed corridor as well as inside the museum building. Comparison of the indoor/outdoor ratio of airborne particle concentration demonstrated a high natural ventilation rate in the enclosed corridor as well as inside the museum building. PM
10
deposition velocities on vertical surfaces were estimated in the order of 3 × 10
−4
m s
−1
for both indoor locations. Also, the deposition rates of dark-coloured and black particles in specific were very similar at both indoor locations, causing visual degradation. The effectiveness of the glass panes in protecting the museum collection is discussed.
As a part of an ongoing investigation regarding the air quality at the Alhambra monument (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), indoor and outdoor atmospheric aerosols (PM1 and PM10-1) and pollutant gases ...(O3, NO2, SO2 and NH3) were studied during summer and winter. Bulk elements, ionic compounds and black carbon (BC) in aerosols were analyzed with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, ion chromatography and aethalometry/reflectometry, respectively. Natural PM10-1 aerosols, such as carbonate-rich soil and sea salts, reacted with a typical urban atmosphere, producing a mixture of particulates with diverse chemical composition. The content/formation of secondary inorganic aerosols depended on the air temperature and absolute humidity. Ratios of typical mineral elements (i.e., Ti/Fe and Si/Fe) showed that Saharan dust events contribute to the composition of the observed mineral aerosol content. BC, V and Ni originated from diesel exhaust, while Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn came mainly from non-exhaust vehicular emissions. Weathering phenomena, such as blackening and pigment discoloration, which could arise from gradual aerosol deposition indoors, are discussed.
Urban atmospheres in modern cities carry characteristic mixtures of particulate pollution which are potentially aggravating for chronic respiratory patients (CRP). Although air quality surveys can be ...detailed, the obtained information is not always useful to evaluate human health effects. This paper presents a novel approach to estimate particle deposition rates in airways of CRP, based on real air pollution data. By combining computational fluid dynamics with physical-chemical characteristics of particulate pollution, deposition rates are estimated for particles of different toxicological relevance, that is, minerals, iron oxides, sea salts, ammonium salts, and carbonaceous particles. Also, it enables some qualitative evaluation of the spatial, temporal, and patient specific effects on the particle dose upon exposure to the urban atmosphere. Results show how heavy traffic conditions increases the deposition of anthropogenic particles in the trachea and lungs of respiratory patients (here, +0.28 and +1.5 μg·h–1, respectively). In addition, local and synoptic meteorological conditions were found to have a strong effect on the overall dose. However, the pathology and age of the patient was found to be more crucial, with highest deposition rates for toxic particles in adults with a mild anomaly, followed by mild asthmatic children and adults with severe respiratory dysfunctions (7, 5, and 3 μg·h–1, respectively).
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