Characterization and preliminary risk assessment of road dust collected in Venice airport (Italy)

Abstract

Road dust is a non-exhaust source that can significantly contribute to atmospheric particulate by resuspension. Beside the issue of the overcoming of guidelines limits for the air quality, the characterization of this matrix is of crucially high interest for the inherent toxicity of resuspended particles, that can act as carriers of heavy metals and toxic-carcinogenic components.In this paper, road dust collected in the Venice international airport is characterized with a multi-technique approach in order to identify the main pollutant sources and to highlight the differences between airside/ landside places. The most polluted sites are identified and a preliminary risk assessment is performed taking into account ingestion, dermal intake and inhalation of fugitive particulate pathways. Specifically, the main sources are related to construction activities, anti-icing safety procedures, and brake, tire and road wear; streets are the most polluted landside places; PAHs, Na, Al, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd are more concentrated in airside area; as regards the risk assessment As, BaP, Cr, Sb, BaA, and BbF are the most critical pollutants.

Deciphering past and present atmospheric metal pollution of urban environments: The role of black crusts formed on historical constructions

“…In the past, the attention of researchers was focused mainly on the role of gaseous pollutants on stone or mortar deteriorations, especially on sulphur dioxide [1]. However, in many cities of Europe, the levels of SO2 have been reduced while the huge increase in automobile traffic has promoted a considerable rise in the levels of ozone, nitrogen oxides and Total Suspended Particulate Matter [1,2], being aerosol derived from combustion processes the main cause of atmospheric pollution in urban environments after gaseous contamination [3]. This fact has generated a new air pollution scenario [1].…”

Environmental Impact Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soils Near the Runway at the International Airport in Central Europe

“…The composition of the formed particulates includes polymers and PTEs such as Zn, Mo, and Cu [6]. The observed increased amount of Zn is frequently associated with tire wear [65][66][67]. The extreme conditions to which tires are exposed on the runway may result in the contamination of airport soils by Zn.…”

Experimental Characterization Protocols for Wear Products from Disc Brake Materials

“…Some other elements have also been proposed for the identification of PM emitted from brake systems (see Table 5). Valotto et al [119] studied the road dust collected in Venice mainland, Italy, and identified brake wear as a significant pollutant source in the monitored area, based on the higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, Mo, Sb and, to a lesser extent, of Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb. Adamiec et al [10] noted the presence of Ti, Cr, and Cu, and recognized them as key tracers of brake wear emissions, in their samples collected from the motorway and urban roads in Poland.…”