An assessment of the impact of construction work on fine particulate matter in the University of Jordan: A PIXE study

Abstract

Aerosol sampling was carried out prior to and during an active construction work at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan. Elemental characterization for 60 PM2.5 samples was performed by particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) technique at the LABEC laboratory of INFN in Florence, Italy. Twenty three elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, and Pb) were detected, and their concentrations were assessed during three sampling periods, namely, “No Construction,” “Pouring Concrete,” and “Bleaching.” The results showed higher concentrations of soil‐related elements and lower concentrations of anthropogenic‐related elements during construction periods compared with their concentrations before construction. Soil‐related elements showed very low enrichment factor (EF) and high correlation coefficients during all sampling periods. Anthropogenic‐related elements were very much enriched and correlated only during the first sampling period “No Construction.”

Measurement and Monitoring of Particulate Matter in Construction Sites: Guidelines for Gravimetric Approach

“…As an example of an additional variable, the different monitoring periods in the mentioned studies stand out, which include 8 h/day, Li et al [18], Moraes et al [13], and Rahman et al [52]; 8 and 24 h/day, Chiang and Kuo [16]; 24 h/day, Feliciano et al [17] and Sa'adeh et al [15]; 8 and 22 h/day, Araújo et al [12]; 10 and 14 h/day, Azarmi et al [19]; 20 and 15 min/day, Payus et al [51] and Ahmed and Arocho [20,21]; and consecutive days, Yan et al [53]. In addition, only Araújo et al [12], Moraes et al [13], Azarmi et al [19], and Yan et al [53] make it clear that they installed monitoring points in favor of and against the prevailing wind.…”

“…Regarding the equipment used, Chiang and Kuo [16] used HiVols; Yan et al [53] used air/smart-integrated samplers (2050); Feliciano et al [17], Araújo et al [12], and Moraes et al [13] used MiniVols; Ahmed and Arocho [20,21] and Rahman et al [52] used DustTrak; Payus et al [51] used a particulate counter model GT-321; Li et al [18] used Naneum Nano ID Select™, Sa'adeh et al [15] used ISAP ® 1050e sampler; and Azarmi et al [19] used TEOM and Turnkey Osiris. Finally, it is clear that studies have rarely considered the characterization of the chemical composition.…”

“…Finally, it is clear that studies have rarely considered the characterization of the chemical composition. Among the mentioned scientific studies in Table 4, Chiang and Kuo [16], Araújo et al [12], Li et al [18], Moraes et al [13], and Sa'adeh et al [15] are the only ones that focused on the chemical investigation of the particulate matter.…”

“…According to Sa'adeh et al [15], the effects of construction on the atmosphere are distressing and more apparent in urban areas. Despite the significant impacts caused, there is still a lack of scientific literature on PM in construction sites, although the number of publications has increased since the middle of the last decade [10].…”

“…Despite the significant impacts caused, there is still a lack of scientific literature on PM in construction sites, although the number of publications has increased since the middle of the last decade [10]. At the international level, one could highlight the studies published by Chiang and Kuo [16] in Taiwan and Feliciano et al [17] in Portugal, who investigated the concentration of PM from the activities of construction sites; Li et al [18] in Singapore and Azarmi et al [19] in England, who assessed air quality by monitoring in the areas surrounding construction sites; Ahmed and Arocho [20,21] in the United States, who compared the PM concentration produced from two construction systems, i.e., wooden panels (cross-laminated timber, CLT) and steel frames; and Sa'adeh et al [15] in Jordan, who assessed the impact of construction work on fine particulate matter. In Brazil, Araújo et al [12] and Moraes et al [13] evaluated the concentration of PM from the activities of construction sites and identified that the activities of construction release particles of various sizes into the environment.…”