Determination of atmospheric aerosol components in an urban area to evaluate the air quality and identify the sources of contamination.
Patricia BedregalMarco UbillusCynthia Cáceres-RiveroPaula OliveraRoy GarayJhojan RojasRafael ZafraRenato UrdaniviaPublished in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry (2023)
The need to generate objective evidence and reliable information for decision makers to improve environmental policies for a better air quality, led us to evaluate the atmospheric aerosol components in the urban area of Carabayllo, by monitoring PM 2.5 and PM 10 to determine mass concentration and analyzing PM 10 using k 0 -INAA and ICP-MS for metals quantification, ion chromatography for anions and the NIOSH method to determine organic and elemental carbon. The results obtained from mass concentration of PM 2.5 and PM 10 exceeded the permissible breathing annual average of WHO guidelines of 15 µgm -3 and 45 µgm -3 , respectively, which evidence an unhealthy air quality. Likewise, using the model Positive Matrix Factorization five sources of pollutants were defined: metallurgical industry, sea salt, industrial activity, dust and non-exhaust emissions and vehicle emissions.
Keyphrases
- particulate matter
- water soluble
- air pollution
- heavy metals
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- health risk
- human health
- health risk assessment
- drinking water
- mass spectrometry
- risk assessment
- multiple sclerosis
- public health
- healthcare
- clinical practice
- wastewater treatment
- high speed
- social media
- high resolution
- health information
- solid phase extraction