Exposure to PM2.5 and PAHs from the Tong Liang, China epidemiological study

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10934520600564253· OSTI ID:20741198

Chow, J C; Watson, J G; Chen, L W.A.; Ho, S S.H.; Koracin, D; Zielinska, B; Tang, D L; Perera, F; Cao, J J; Lee, S C ^[1]

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1. Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV (United States)

Chemically speciated PM2.5 and particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) measurements were made at three sites near urban Tong Liang, Chongqing, a Chinese inland city where coal combustion is used for electricity generation and residential purposes outside of the central city. Ambient sampling was based on 72-hr averages between 3/2/2002 and 2/26/2003. Elevated PM2.5 and PAH concentrations were observed at all three sites, with the highest concentrations found in winter and the lowest in summer. This reflects a coupling effect of source variability and meteorological conditions. The PM2.5 mass estimated from sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organics, elemental carbon, crustal material, and salt corresponded with the annual average gravimetric mass within 10%. Carbonaceous aerosol was the dominant species, while positive correlations between organic carbon and trace elements (e.g., As, Se, Br, Pb, and Zn) were consistent with coal-burning and motor vehicle contributions. Ambient particle-bound PAHs of molecular weight 168-266 were enriched by 1.5 to 3.5 times during the coal-fired power plant operational period. However, further investigation is needed to determine the relative contribution from residential and utility coal combustion and vehicular activities.

• OSTI ID: 20741198
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, Vol. 41, Issue 4; ISSN 1093-4529
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHINA
PARTICULATES
PARTICLE SIZE
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
URBAN AREAS
COAL
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
CONCENTRATION RATIO
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
AEROSOLS
COMBUSTION
EXHAUST GASES
VEHICLES
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
POLLUTION SOURCES