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; Thomas M Peters

doi:10.3390/ijerph120202090

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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)

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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

International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.12(2), pp.2090-2104

02/13/2015

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120202090

PMCID: PMC4344713

PMID: 25689348

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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 PM2.5-1.0 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.

Dust - analysis

Iron - analysis

Railroads

Microscopy, Electron, Scanning - methods

Particulate Matter - analysis

Seoul

Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission

Environmental Monitoring - methods

Air Pollutants - chemistry

Details

Title: Subtitle: 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)
Creators: Sang-Hoon Byeon - Department of Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 136-703, Korea. shbyeon@korea.ac.kr
Robert Willis - National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. willis.robert@epa.gov
Thomas M Peters - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. thomas-m-peters@uiowa.edu
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.12(2), pp.2090-2104
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120202090
PMID: 25689348
PMCID: PMC4344713
NLM abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health
ISSN: 1660-4601
eISSN: 1660-4601
Publisher: Switzerland
Grant note: P30 ES005605 / NIEHS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/13/2015
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
Record Identifier: 9983997448702771

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