Chemical Characterization of Outdoor and Subway Fine (PM 2.5–1.0 ) and Coarse (PM 10–2.5 ) Particulate Matter in Seoul (Korea) by Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy (CCSEM)

Sang-Hoon Byeon, Robert Willis and Thomas M. Peters
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Sang-Hoon Byeon: Department of Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 136-703, Korea
Robert Willis: National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
Thomas M. Peters: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Outdoor and indoor (subway) samples were collected by passive sampling in urban Seoul (Korea) and analyzed with computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (CCSEM-EDX). Soil/road dust particles accounted for 42%–60% (by weight) of fine particulate matter larger than 1 µm (PM 2.5–1.0 ) in outdoor samples and 18% of PM 2.5–1.0 in subway samples. Iron-containing particles accounted for only 3%–6% in outdoor samples but 69% in subway samples. Qualitatively similar results were found for coarse particulate matter (PM 10–2.5 ) with soil/road dust particles dominating outdoor samples (66%–83%) and iron-containing particles contributing most to subway PM 10–2.5 (44%). As expected, soil/road dust particles comprised a greater mass fraction of PM 10–2.5 than PM 2.5–1.0 . Also as expected, the mass fraction of iron-containing particles was substantially less in PM 10–2.5 than in PM 2.5–1.0 . Results of this study are consistent with known emission sources in the area and with previous studies, which showed high concentrations of iron-containing particles in the subway compared to outdoor sites. Thus, passive sampling with CCSEM-EDX offers an inexpensive means to assess PM 2.5–1.0 and PM 10-2.5 simultaneously and by composition at multiple locations.

Keywords: subway; CCSEM; particulate matter; passive sampling; indoor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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