Spatial variability of fine and coarse particle composition and sources in Cyprus

Achilleos, Souzana; Wolfson, Jack M.; Ferguson, Stephen T.; Kang, Choong-Min; Hadjimitsis, Diofantos G.; Hadjicharalambous, Marios; Achilleos, Constantia; Christodoulou, A.; Nisanzti, Argyro; Papoutsa, Christiana; Themistocleous, Kyriacos; Athanasatos, Spyros; Perdikou, Skevi; Koutrakis, Petros

doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2015.10.005

Cited by 47 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…Our average PM 2.5 concentration was lower compared to the corresponding value (283 µg m -3 ) measured in Chengdu, China, during a dust storm (Wang et al, 2013). On the contrary, our values were significantly higher when compared to PM levels recorded during dust storm days in Iran (highest mean outdoor PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations reached 360 and 118 µg m -3 respectively, Hassanvand et al, 2014) and Cyprus (highest mean outdoor PM 10 and PM 2.5 values were 165 and 38 µg m -3 respectively, Achilleos et al, 2016). It has to be noted that the comparison of this study's results with corresponding from literature, is only indicative as the dust storms occurring in several areas (e.g., Middle East, Asia, Mediterranean basin areas) are not expected to have similar characteristics (from the aspect of frequency, intensity, physicochemical parameters etc.).…”

Section: Pm Mass Concentrationcontrasting

confidence: 50%

Chemical Characterization of Indoor and Outdoor Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10) in Doha, Qatar

Saraga

Maggos

Sadoun³

et al. 2017

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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ABSTRACTΤhe extreme weather conditions in Middle East Area led to the construction of tightly sealed, air conditioned buildings, characterized by indoor air quality deterioration. This study presents the results of chemical characterization of outdoor and indoor PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Doha city, over a two-month period including normal days and dust events, aiming at identifying the factors affecting the indoor air of an office building. The WHO guideline values were exceeded in 100% of the outdoor measurements. 49% of the days of the sampling campaign were characterized as non-dusty (PM 10 < 200 µg m ). The contribution of both dust and anthropogenic emissions sources is depicted in particles' mass and chemical composition. The elevated -especially outdoor-levels of carbonate carbon indicate the presence of crustal matter originating from the surrounding crustal material. OC/EC values reveal possible combined contribution from secondary organic aerosol, trafficrelated sources and re-suspended dust. The influence of anthropogenic emissions is implied by the predominance of nitrate and sulfate ions, which constitute a substantial percentage of the particle mass. The crustal origin of particles is also depicted in metals. However, the higher enrichment factor values which may imply anthropogenic activities of both the outdoor and indoor environment were determined sequentially for Cd, Pb, As, Cu and Zn, suggesting the role of infiltration. Concluding, the indoor to outdoor relationship is significantly influenced by particles infiltration and penetration into the building mainly through the ventilation system and to a lesser extent, through windows or cracks in the building envelope. Although the low indoor to outdoor ratio underlies the predominance of outdoor levels compared to the indoor ones, there is positive correlation between indoor and outdoor PM, during the days that the building was open to the public and employees.

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Section: Pm Mass Concentrationcontrasting

confidence: 50%

Chemical Characterization of Indoor and Outdoor Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10) in Doha, Qatar

Saraga

Maggos

Sadoun³

et al. 2017

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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“…In addition, we used both PM 2.5 and PM 10 SO 4 2− since most SO 4 2− is present mostly in the fine fraction (Masri et al, 2015). Also, since most sulfur (S) is in the SO 4 2− form in fine particles (Masri et al, 2015; Achilleos et al, 2016), we converted S effect estimates to SO 4 2− estimates by dividing the regression coefficients and SEs by their molar mass ratio (SO 4 2− /S). Similarly, organic carbon matter (OCM) coefficients were converted to OC coefficients (OC = OCM/1.4) for comparability with the rest of the studies (Krall et al, 2013).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute effects of fine particulate matter constituents on mortality: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

Achilleos

Kioumourtzoglou

et al. 2017

Environment International

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249

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Background The link between PM2.5 exposure and adverse health outcomes is well documented from studies across the world. However, the reported effect estimates vary across studies, locations and constituents. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis on associations between short-term exposure to PM2.5 constituents and mortality using city-specific estimates, and explore factors that may explain some of the observed heterogeneity. Methods We systematically reviewed epidemiological studies on particle constituents and mortality using PubMed and Web of Science databases up to July 2015. We included studies that examined the association between short-term exposure to PM2.5 constituents and all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, in the general adult population. Each study was summarized based on pre-specified study key parameters (e.g., location, time period, population, diagnostic classification standard), and we evaluated the risk of bias using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) Method for each included study. We extracted city-specific mortality risk estimates for each constituent and cause of mortality. For multi-city studies, we requested the city-specific risk estimates from the authors unless reported in the article. We performed random effects meta-analyses using city-specific estimates, and examined whether the effects vary across regions and city characteristics (PM2.5 concentration levels, air temperature, elevation, vegetation, size of elderly population, population density, and baseline mortality) can explain the observed heterogeneity. Results We found a 0.89% (95% CI: 0.68, 1.10%) increase in all-cause, a 0.80% (95% CI: 0.41, 1.20%) increase in cardiovascular, and a 1.10% (95% CI: 0.59, 1.62%) increase in respiratory mortality per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5. Accounting for the downward bias induced by studies of single days, the all-cause mortality estimate increased to 1.01% (95% CI: 0.81, 1.20%). We found significant associations between mortality and several PM2.5 constituents. The most consistent and stronger associations were observed for elemental carbon (EC) and potassium (K). For most of the constituents, we observed high variability of effect estimates across cities. Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggests that (a) combustion elements such as EC and K have a stronger association with mortality, (b) single lag studies underestimate effects, and (c) estimates of PM2.5 and constituents differ across regions. Accounting for PM mass in constituent’s health models may lead to more stable and comparable effect estimates across different studies. Systematic review registration PROSPERO: CRD42017055765

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“…There is only one station in the city that records air quality and specifically that of PM 10 (for traffic, as it is located nearby a commercial street). It is worrying that there is a lack of data for several time periods and especially in severe cases of local PM pollution [15,[55][56][57]. The annual averages for PM 10 and the number of excesses in each station on the island for the period 2010-2015 as recorded by the air quality monitoring network in Cyprus were published in the 2018 official report, and it is clear that there are exceedances of both the annual marginal value of 40 µg/m 3 for the PM 10 set in the relevant legislation, as well as the allowable number of excesses set at 35 excesses per year; 157 excesses were noted at the traffic station in 2012 in Limassol [15,55].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurements of Local Sources of Particulates with a Portable Monitor along the Coast of an Insular City

et al. 2020

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The air quality of modern cities is considered an important factor for the quality of life of humans and therefore is being safeguarded by various international organizations, concentrating on the mass concentration of particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10, 2.5 and 1 μm. However, the different physical and anthropogenic processes and activities within the city contribute to the rise of fine (<1 μm) and coarse (>1 μm) particles, directly impacting human health and the environment. In order to monitor certain natural and anthropogenic events, suspecting their significant contribution to PM concentrations, seven different events taking place on the coastal front of the city of Limassol (Cyprus) were on-site monitored using a portable PM instrument; these included both natural (e.g., dust event) and anthropogenic (e.g., cement factory, meat festival, tall building construction, tire factory, traffic jam, dust road) emissions taking place in spring and summer periods. The violations of the limits that were noticed were attributed mainly to the various anthropogenic activities taking place on-site, revealing once more the need for further research and continuous monitoring of air quality.

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Spatial variability of fine and coarse particle composition and sources in Cyprus

Cited by 47 publications

References 80 publications

Chemical Characterization of Indoor and Outdoor Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10) in Doha, Qatar

Chemical Characterization of Indoor and Outdoor Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10) in Doha, Qatar

Acute effects of fine particulate matter constituents on mortality: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

Measurements of Local Sources of Particulates with a Portable Monitor along the Coast of an Insular City

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