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PM_2.5 decadal data in cold vs. mild climate airports: COVID-19 era and a call for sustainable air quality policy.

ABSTRACT: Airports are identified hotspots for air pollution, notably for fine particles (PM_2.5) that are pivotal in aerosol-cloud interaction processes of climate change and human health. We herein studied the field observation and statistical analysis of 10-year data of PM_2.5 and selected emitted co-pollutants (CO, NO_x, and O₃), in the vicinity of three major Canadian airports, with moderate to cold climates. The decadal data analysis indicated that in colder climate airports, pollutants like PM_2.5 and CO accumulate disproportionally to their emissions in fall and winter, in comparison to airports in milder climates. Decadal daily averages and standard errors of PM_2.5 concentrations were as follows: Vancouver, 5.31 ± 0.017; Toronto, 6.71 ± 0.199; and Montreal, 7.52 ± 0.023 μg/m³. The smallest and the coldest airport with the least flights/passengers had the highest PM_2.5 concentration. QQQ-ICP-MS/MS and HR-S/TEM analysis of aerosols near Montreal Airport indicated a wide range of emerging contaminants (Cd, Mo, Co, As, Ni, Cr, and Pb) ranging from 0.90 to 622 μg/L, which were also observed in the atmosphere. During the lockdown, a pronounced decrease in the concentrations of PM_2.5 and submicron particles, including nanoparticles_, in residential areas close to airports was observed, conforming with the recommended workplace health thresholds (~ 2 × 10⁴ cm^-3), while before the lockdown, condensable particles were up to ~ 1 × 10⁵ cm^-3. Targeted reduction of PM_2.5 emission is recommended for cold climate regions.

SUBMITTER: Rangel-Alvarado R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8975444 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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PM2.5 decadal data in cold vs. mild climate airports: COVID-19 era and a call for sustainable air quality policy.

Rangel-Alvarado Rodrigo R Pal Devendra D Ariya Parisa P

Environmental science and pollution research international 20220401 38

Airports are identified hotspots for air pollution, notably for fine particles (PM2.5) that are pivotal in aerosol-cloud interaction processes of climate change and human health. We herein studied the field observation and statistical analysis of 10-year data of PM2.5 and selected emitted co-pollutants (CO, NOx, and O3), in the vicinity of three major Canadian airports, with moderate to cold climates. The decadal data analysis indicated that in colder ...[more]

PMID: 35364791

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Project description:IntroductionDespite the London Underground (LU) handling on average 2.8 million passenger journeys per day, the characteristics and potential health effects of the elevated concentrations of metal-rich PM2.5 found in this subway system are not well understood.MethodsSpatial monitoring campaigns were carried out to characterise the health-relevant chemical and physical properties of PM2.5 across the LU network, including diurnal and day-to-day variability and spatial distribution (above ground, depth below ground and subway line). Population-weighted station PM2.5 rankings were produced to understand the relative importance of concentrations at different stations and on different lines.ResultsThe PM2.5 mass in the LU (mean 88 μg m-3, median 28 μg m-3) was greater than at ambient background locations (mean 19 μg m-3, median 14 μg m-3) and roadside environments in central London (mean 22 μg m-3, median 14 μg m-3). Concentrations varied between lines and locations, with the deepest and shallowest submerged lines being the District (median 4 μg m-3) and Victoria (median 361 μg m-3 but up to 885 μg m-3). Broadly in agreement with other subway systems around the world, sampled LU PM2.5 comprised 47% iron oxide, 7% elemental carbon, 11% organic carbon, and 14% metallic and mineral oxides. Although a relationship between line depth and air quality inside the tube trains was evident, there were clear influences relating to the distance from cleaner outside air and the exchange with cabin air when the doors open. The passenger population-weighted exposure analysis demonstrated a method to identify stations that should be prioritised for remediation to improve air quality.ConclusionPM2.5 concentrations in the LU are many times higher than in other London transport Environments. Failure to include this environment in epidemiological studies of the relationship between PM2.5 and health in London is therefore likely to lead to a large exposure misclassification error. Given the significant contribution of underground PM2.5 to daily exposure, and the differences in composition compared to urban PM2.5, there is a clear need for well-designed studies to better understand the health effects of underground exposure.

Dataset Information

PM_2.5 decadal data in cold vs. mild climate airports: COVID-19 era and a call for sustainable air quality policy.

Publications

PM<sub>2.5</sub> decadal data in cold vs. mild climate airports: COVID-19 era and a call for sustainable air quality policy.

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