Partitioning of trace elements and metals between quasi-1 ultrafine, accumulation and coarse

Particle size distribution patterns of trace elements and metals across three size fractions (<0.25 mm, quasi-ultrafine particles, q-UF; 0.25e2.5 mm, accumulation particles; 2.5e10 mm, coarse particles) were analysed in indoor and outdoor air at 39 primary schools across Barcelona (Spain). Specia...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Authors: Viana, Mar, Rivas, Ioar, Querol, Xavier, Alastuey, Andrés, Álvarez-Pedrerol, Mar, Bouso, Laura, Sunyer, Jordi, Sioutas, Constantin
Format: article
Status:Versión aceptada para publicación
Publication Date:2014
Country:España
Institution:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repository:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/103672
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/103672
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Infiltration
sources
metals and elements
ultrafine particles
UFP
PM0.25.
Description
Summary:Particle size distribution patterns of trace elements and metals across three size fractions (<0.25 mm, quasi-ultrafine particles, q-UF; 0.25e2.5 mm, accumulation particles; 2.5e10 mm, coarse particles) were analysed in indoor and outdoor air at 39 primary schools across Barcelona (Spain). Special attention was paid to emission sources in each particle size range. Results evidenced the presence in q-UF particles of high proportions of elements typically found in coarse PM (Ca, Al, Fe, Mn or Na), as well as several potentially health-hazardous metals (Mn, Cu, Sn, V, Pb). Modal shifts (e.g., from accumulation to coarse or q-UF particles) were detected when particles infiltrated indoors, mainly for secondary inorganic aerosols. Our results indicate that the location of schools in heavily trafficked areas increases the abundance of q-UF particles, which infiltrate indoors quite effectively, and thus may impact children exposure to these health-hazardous particles.