A framework to spatially cluster air pollution monitoring sites in US based on the PM2.5 composition.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Heterogeneity in the response to PM2.5 is hypothesized to be related to differences in particle composition across monitoring sites which reflect differences in source types as well as climatic and topographic conditions impacting different geographic locations. Identifying spatial patterns in particle composition is a multivariate problem that requires novel methodologies.

Objectives

Use cluster analysis methods to identify spatial patterns in PM2.5 composition. Verify that the resulting clusters are distinct and informative.

Methods

109 monitoring sites with 75% reported speciation data during the period 2003-2008 were selected. These sites were categorized based on their average PM2.5 composition over the study period using k-means cluster analysis. The

SUBMITTER: Austin E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3878877 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature