Source Apportionment of PM₁₀ and PM₂₅ in Five Chilean Cities Using Factor Analysis

Abstract

Chile is a fast-growing country with important industrial activities near urban areas. In this study, the mass and elemental concentrations of PM 10 and PM 2.5 were measured in five major Chilean urban areas. Samples of particles with diameter less than 10 µm (PM 10 ) and 2.5 µm (PM 2.5 ) were collected in 1998 in Iquique (northern Chile), Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Rancagua (central Chile), and Temuco (southern Chile). Both PM 10 and PM 2.5 annual mean concentrations (PM 10 : 56.9-77.6 µg/m 3 ; PM 2.5 : 22.4-42.6 µg/m 3 ) were significantly higher than the corresponding European Union (EU) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality standards. Moreover, the 24-hr PM 10 and PM 2.5 U.S. standards were exceeded infrequently for some of the cities (Rancagua and Valparaíso). IMPLICATIONSA source apportionment study was conducted in five Chilean cities. Both PM 10 and PM 2.5 annual mean concentrations in all five cities were significantly higher than the ambient air quality standards established by the World Health Organization, EU, and the EPA. Consequently, populations residing in these areas are exposed to high particle concentrations that may pose significant health effects. The major sources of coarse particles were soil and sea salt particles. Sources of fine particle mass included automobiles, wood and agricultural waste burning, Cu smelters, and oil refineries. The use of multivariate statistical methods on PM 10 and PM 2.5 mass and elemental concentrations provides information on their sources. The results of these studies can be used to assess the risk of air pollution and to develop cost-effective control strategies.

Megacities and Atmospheric Pollution

“…Based on the loadings of PAHs and n-alkanes, four factors (sources) were identified: high-temperature combustion, fugitive emissions from oil residues, biogenic sources, and unburned fuels. The results of this study are in good agreement with the estimates made by Chen et al 237 Further study by Kavouras et al 238 reported source contributions of PAHs in several cities in Chile and compared the results with Santiago. Tsapakis et al 239 reported on-road and nonroad engine emissions as the main sources of carbonaceous aerosols in fine particle samples in Santiago.…”

Roadside Particulate Air Pollution in Bangkok

“…The relationship between ambient PM level and actual personal exposures was examined. Correlation coefficients between the general ambient outdoors and personal exposure levels were 0.92 for both PM 2.5 and PM 10 .…”

“…The relationship between ambient PM level and actual personal exposures was examined. Correlation coefficients between the general ambient outdoors and personal exposure levels were 0.92 for both PM 2.5 and PM 10 .Bangkok air quality data for 1997-2000, including 24-hr average PM 10 , NO 2 , SO 2 , and O 3 from eight PCD monitoring stations, were analyzed and validated. The annual arithmetic mean PM 10 of the PCD data at the roadside monitoring stations for the last 3 years decreased from 130 to 73 µg/m 3 , whereas the corresponding levels at the general monitoring stations decreased from 90 to 49 µg/m 3 .…”

“…Roadside PM 10 was measured simultaneously with the Thailand Pollution Control Department (PCD) monitoring station at the same site and at the intersections where police work. The result from dual simultaneous measurements of PM 10 showed a good correlation (correlation coefficient: r = 0.93); however, PM levels near the roadside at the intersections were higher than the concentrations at the monitoring station.…”

The Effect of Nonlocal Vehicle Restriction Policy on Air Quality in Shanghai

“…For example, rapid motorization in Beijing has resulted in serious congestion and the average network travel speed decreasing by 3.2% and 4.9%, respectively, within the 5th Ring Road during 2010 in AM and PM peak hour [4]. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, motor vehicles are an important source of air pollutants including carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NO x ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and particulate matter (PM) [5][6][7].…”