PM2.5 chemical composition and health risks by inhalation near a chemical complex

Particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected in the vicinity of an industrial chemical pole and analysed for organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), 47 trace elements and around 150 organic constituents. On average, OC and EC accounted for 25.2% and 11.4% of the PM2.5 mass, respectively. Organic compounds comprised polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylated PAHs, anhydrosugars, phenolics, aromatic ketones, glycerol derivatives, aliphatic alcohols, sterols, and carboxyl groups, including aromatic, carboxylic and dicarboxylic acids. Enrichment factors > 100 were obtained for Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Sn, B, Se, Bi, Sb and Mo, showing the contribution of industrial emissions and nearby major roads. Principal component analysis revealed that vehicle, industrial and biomass burning emissions accounted for 66%, 11% and 9%, respectively, of the total PM2.5-bound PAHs. Some of the detected organic constituents are likely associated with plasticiser ingredients and thermal stabilisers used in the manufacture of PVC and other plastics in the industrial complex. Photooxidation products of both anthropogenic (e.g., toluene) and biogenic (e.g., isoprene and pinenes) precursors were also observed. It was estimated that biomass burning accounted for 13.8% of the PM2.5 concentrations and that secondary OC represented 37.6% of the total OC. The lifetime cancer risk from inhalation exposure to PM2.5-bound PAHs was found to be negligible, but it exceeded the threshold of 10?6 for metal(loi)s, mainly due to Cr and As.3518-5DB7-75B0 | M?rio Tom?N/

PM10 Resuspension of Road Dust in Different Types of Parking Lots: Emissions, Chemical Characterisation and Ecotoxicity

The thoracic fraction of road dust (PM10) was measured for the first time in Portugal in parking areas, both outdoors and indoors, with the aim of completing existing studies carried out in active lanes of various roads. An in situ resuspension chamber was used to collect a total of 23 samples in three parking areas of Aveiro, whilst the laboratory procedures included determination of carbonaceous content (OC and EC) by a thermo-optical technique, elemental composition by ICP-MS and ICP-OES after acid digestion, and the Aliivribrio fisherii bioluminescent bacteria ecotoxicity bioassay. Dust loadings (DL10) obtained were 18.5 ± 9.8 mg PM10 m−2, in outdoor parking, and 1.8–23.7 mg PM10 m−2 for indoor parking, corresponding to emission factors of 476 and 75–589 mg veh−1 km−1, respectively. OC represented 9–30 % of PM10 for the indoor parking areas. However, for the outdoor samples, the high iron oxide content jeopardised the OC-EC separation. In those samples, carbonates accounted for 10.0 ± 3.3% of the PM10 mass. The analysis of elemental components focused on major elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, and Mg) as well as minor elements. The total mass fraction of element oxides accounted for 27.1% (outdoor) and 23.6–34.3% (indoor). ΣPAH calculated for all parking areas accounted for 8.38–36.9 μg g−1 PM10. The ecotoxicological bioassay showed that all aqueous solutions were toxic to bioluminescent bacteria, whereas no clear correlations could be made with specific component groups, with the exception of ΣPAH and EC50.This research was funded by FEDER, through COMPETE2020–Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and by national funds (OE), through FCT/MCTES, through the implementation of the project “Big data to improve atmospheric emission inventories (BigAir)”, PTDC/EAM-AMB/2606/2020. Furthermore, the authors also acknowledge the financial support to CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020+UIDP/50017/2020+LA/P/0094/2020), to FCT/MCTES through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and COMPETE2020. Ismael Casotti Rienda is grateful to the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology (FCT) for funding the scholarship SFRH/BD/144550/2019. The research work was also supported by the LIFE-REMY (LIFE20 PRE/IT/000004) and the Spanish National Research Project NEXT (PID2019-110623RB-I00), funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/

Road dust resuspension: a review

In the last decades, emissions from road traffic saw a significant drop due to the stricter regulations for the motor vehicles’ exhaust and cleaner technologies for fleets. Therefore, non-tailpipe emissions should be increasingly held responsible for traffic-related emissions, including brake-, tyre- and road-wear particles, as well as vehicle-induced resuspension of road dust deposited on the surface. Nevertheless, the quantification of road dust resuspension is still lacking a standardised sampling procedure, leading to a doubtful integration in emission inventories. This article aims at presenting the various methodologies that were so far developed to collect road dust, ranging from the most rudimental scoop sweeping until more sophisticated devices with size-selective inlets to capture the more worrisome fraction: the inhalable resuspended particulate matter. The different methodologies for sampling and calculating emission factors are critically reviewed. Sources that contribute to the road dust and their implications on the particle size distributions and chemical composition are discussed. Easily applicable indexes to quantify the magnitude of pollution of road dust are presented. Emission factors and physicochemical profiles of road dust are necessary towards a more accurate inclusion of this specific non-exhaust category in emission inventories, receptor modelling and health protection programmes by policymakers.publishe

Challenges in the achievement of European targets for recyling: Biowaste treatment infrastructures in the Alentejo-Algarve region

Book of Proceedings - 6th International Conference WASTES: Solutions, Treatments and Opportunities, Coimbra, 6-8 September 2023The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) continues to be a challenge for municipalities and management entities that face upcoming European-wide targets. The aim is to transition to a management model that allows decoupling economic growth from the use of resources, reducing the impact on the environment, promoting the designs of a circular economy. The Portuguese Strategic Plan for Municipal Waste (PERSU 2030) sets ambitious goals for Portugal and for each management entities, in particular with regard to biowaste management, which is due to stir up the current collection and treatment. The aim of this work was to analyse 7 municipal waste management entities (SGRU) from Alentejo and Algarve region, with a focus on biowaste treatment facilities and their capacity to respond to the targets

PM10-Bound Sugars: Chemical Composition, Sources and Seasonal Variations

The presence of anhydrosugars and sugar alcohols in airborne articulate matter <10 m (PM10) samples collected between December 2018 and June 2019 was studied for two urban environments in Coimbra. Anhydrosugars were used to estimate the biomass burning contribution, and sugar alcohols were investigated regarding biological sources. Anhydrosugars contributed more than sugar alcohols to the total sugars, mainly levoglucosan. Higher levoglucosan concentrations were linked with the use of biomass-fueled heating appliances, mainly during cold periods. A significant contribution from biomass burning smoke was registered, accounting for 20% to 23% of the PM10 mass in the colder period. Xylitol presented higher concentrations in the colder period and was well correlated with levoglucosan, indicating a common origin. Mannitol and arabitol were well correlated with each other but did not present any kind of correlation with anhydrosugars or xylitol, suggesting a natural source. A quantitative estimation based on the concentration of ambient tracers (mannitol) was evaluated, and the results reveal that, for the two sites, the fungal spore relative contribution to PM10 (roadside site: 2.7% to 2.8%; urban background: 1.9% to 2.7%) and OC mass (roadside site: 6.2% to 8.1%; urban background: 3.9% to 7.5%) was significant and always higher in the warmer period

Preliminary assessment of road dust from Portuguese motorways: chemical profile, health risks, and ecotoxicological screening

Among non-exhaust emissions, road dust resuspension represents a rather important contribution to particulate matter in urban areas. This study aimed to achieve a chemical characterisation of road dust particulate matter (PM10) on two motorway sections, one rural and one urban, and to explore the related health and ecotoxicological risks. Measured PM10 dust loadings reached very low levels (0.66–1.49 mg m-2) compared to equivalent studies in other road environments in Portugal and other countries. Emission factors ranged from 33 to 62 mg veh−1 km−1. The carbonaceous content represented 14% of the total PM10 mass, whereas the highest contribution to the mass was given by mineral matter. Elements such as Si, Al, Ca, Fe and K accounted for almost three quarters of the total element mass for all samples, whilst Cu and Zn, mostly associated with brake and tyre wear, were the most enriched elements in relation to the soil composition. Nonetheless, Ti and Zr presented the highest non-carcinogenic risks for human health. Despite the low amounts of particulate matter in the aqueous solution, the ecotoxicological screening with the Aliivibrio fisheri bioluminescence inhibition bioassay allowed to classify the samples as toxic.Open access funding provided by FCT|FCCN (b-on). This research was funded by FEDER, through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and by national funds (OE), through FCT/MCTES, through the implementation of the project “Big data to improve atmospheric emission inventories (BigAir)”, PTDC/EAM-AMB/2606/2020. Furthermore, authors also acknowledge the financial support to CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020+UIDP/50017/2020+LA/P/0094/2020), to FCT/MCTES through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and COMPETE2020. Ismael Casotti Rienda is grateful to the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology (FCT) for funding the scholarship SFRH/BD/144550/2019. The research work was also supported by the LIFE-REMY (LIFE20 PRE/IT/000004) and the Spanish National research project NEXT (PID2019-110623RB-I00) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/.Peer reviewe

Assessing the chemical composition, potential toxicity and cancer risk of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) near a petrochemical industrial area

In the vicinity of a petrochemical industrial region in São Paulo, Brazil, PM2.5-bound organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro-PAHs, oxy-PAHs, hopanes, and inorganic species were evaluated. Oxidative potential (OP), burden (OB), and Alivibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition (AFBIA) assays were conducted to determine the potential health effects of exposure to these compounds. The PM2.5 mean concentration was 32.0±18.2µgm-3, and benzo (a)pyrene was found to exceed recommended levels by at least four times. Secondary sources and vehicular emissions were indicated by nitro-PAHs, oxy-PAHs, and inorganic species. The OP and OB results revealed that secondary compounds favored antioxidant depletion. The AFBIA results showed that 64% of the samples were toxic. These findings emphasize the need to reduce the exposure risk and take measures to protect human health.publishe

Loadings, chemical patterns and risks of inhalable road dust particles in an Atlantic city in the north of Portugal

Road dust resuspension has a significant contribution to the atmospheric particulate matter levels in urban areas, but loadings, emission factors, and chemical source profiles vary geographically, hampering the accuracy of emission inventories and source contribution estimates. Given the dearth of studies on the variability of road dust, in the present study, an in-situ resuspension chamber was used to collect PM samples from seven representative streets in Viana do Castelo, the northernmost coastal city in Portugal. PM samples were analysed for organic and elemental carbon by a thermo-optical technique, elemental composition by ICP-MS and ICP-AES, and organic constituents by GC–MS. Emission factors were estimated to be, on average, 340 and 41.2 mg veh km for cobbled and asphalt pavements, respectively. Organic carbon accounted for 5.56 ± 1.24% of the PM mass. Very low concentrations of PAHs and their alkylated congeners were detected, denoting a slight predominance of petrogenic compounds. Si, Al, Fe, Ca and K were the most abundant elements. The calculation of various geochemical indices (enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, pollution index and potential ecological risk) showed that road dust was extremely enriched and contaminated by elements from tyre and brake wear (e.g. Sb, Sn, Cu, Bi and Zn), while lithophile elements showed no enrichment. For As, the geochemical and pollution indices reached their maximum in the street most influenced by agricultural activities. Sb, Cd, Cu and As can pose a very high ecological risk. Sb can be regarded as the pollutant of highest concern, since it represented 57% of the total ecological risk. Hazard indices higher than 1 for some anthropogenic elements indicate that non-carcinogenic effects may occur. Except for a street with more severe braking, the total carcinogenic risks can be considered insignificant.This work was financially supported by the project “Chemical and toxicological SOurce PROfiling of particulate matter in urban air (SOPRO)”, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029574, funded by FEDER, through Compete2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and by national funds (OE), through FCT/MCTES. An acknowledgement is also given to the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology (FCT) and to the POHP/FSE funding programme for the fellowship SFRH/BD/117993/2016. Ana Vicente is subsidised by national funds (OE), through FCT, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of Article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. Moreover, thanks are due for the financial support to CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020+UIDP/50017/2020), to FCT/MCTES through national funds, and co-funding by FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. We are grateful to the Viana do Castelo City Council, and especially to Ricardo Carvalhido, for all the logistic support

PM2.5 chemical composition and health risks by inhalation near a chemical complex

Particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected in the vicinity of an industrial chemical pole and analysed for organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), 47 trace elements and around 150 organic constituents. On average, OC and EC accounted for 25.2% and 11.4% of the PM2.5 mass, respectively. Organic compounds comprised polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylated PAHs, anhydrosugars, phenolics, aromatic ketones, glycerol derivatives, aliphatic alcohols, sterols, and carboxyl groups, including aromatic, carboxylic and dicarboxylic acids. Enrichment factors > 100 were obtained for Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Sn, B, Se, Bi, Sb and Mo, showing the contribution of industrial emissions and nearby major roads. Principal component analysis revealed that vehicle, industrial and biomass burning emissions accounted for 66%, 11% and 9%, respectively, of the total PM2.5-bound PAHs. Some of the detected organic constituents are likely associated with plasticiser ingredients and thermal stabilisers used in the manufacture of PVC and other plastics in the industrial complex. Photooxidation products of both anthropogenic (e.g., toluene) and biogenic (e.g., isoprene and pinenes) precursors were also observed. It was estimated that biomass burning accounted for 13.8% of the PM2.5 concentrations and that secondary OC represented 37.6% of the total OC. The lifetime cancer risk from inhalation exposure to PM2.5-bound PAHs was found to be negligible, but it exceeded the threshold of 10−6 for metal(loi)s, mainly due to Cr and As.publishe

Road dust resuspension in a coastal Atlantic intermunicipal urban area with industrial facilities: Emission factors, chemical composition and ecotoxicity

Road dust resuspension in urban environments can be both a means of transport of pollutants across the various environmental compartments and a source of pollutants itself, becoming a potential threat to human health. With the aim of obtaining emission factors and achieving a detailed chemical characterisation of road dust (RD) in typical Portuguese cities, a sampling campaign was performed in the region of Aveiro. Locations were chosen for intercomparison in various urban environments with different land uses, from the busier city centre and university campus to residential neighbourhoods and harbour-commercial areas with industrial activities. PM10 samples were analysed for organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) by a thermal-optical technique, elemental composition by PIXE, organic speciation by GC–MS, and ecotoxicology by a luminescence inhibition bioassay with Aliivibrio fischeri. A health risk assessment for elements and PAHs was carried out. Dust loadings of 1.9 ± 1.8 mg PM10 m−2 were registered overall, whereas in the most trafficked areas of city centre they reached more than three times the average. OC accounted for 6.5–15.5% of total PM10, but element oxides represented the largest mass fraction (61.4 ± 8.6%). A strong enrichment was detected mostly for typical traffic-related elements such as Cu, Zn, As, Br, Cr, Ni and Mo and interestingly, Rb and Se. The analysed organic compounds accounted for 3.66–11.0 mg g−1 PM10, including PAHs and aliphatics, with a clear dominance of plasticisers. Some other compounds attributed to non-vehicle sources, such as fatty acid alkyl esters, were also detected. As concerns the 16 priority PAHs, their total mass concentration ranged from 5.58 to 36.3 μg g−1 PM10, with clear variability between sampling spots. All samples caused an ecotoxicological reaction in the bioassay, but samples from harbour and commercial areas proved to be most toxic.Ismael Casotti Rienda is grateful to the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology (FCT) for funding the scholarship SFRH/BD/144550/2019. Authors also acknowledge the financial support to CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020 + UIDP/50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020), to FCT/MCTES through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and COMPETE2020. The sampling and analytical work were supported by the project “Big data to improve atmospheric emission inventories (BigAir)”, PTDC/EAM-AMB/2606/2020, funded by FEDER, through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and by national funds (OE), through FCT/MCTES. Many thanks are also due to the RADIATE Project (H2020, #824096). The research work was also supported by the European Union (EU)-funded project LIFE REMY (LIFE20 PRE/IT/000004) and the Spanish National research project NEXT (PID2019-110623RB-I00) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. Finally, we are grateful to the Municipality of Ílhavo and the other authorities for enabling the necessary contingencies for the accomplishment of the sampling tasks.Peer reviewe