Factors influencing the outdoor concentration of carbonaceous aerosols at urban schools in Brisbane, Australia: Implications for children's exposure. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crilley, L.R.; Ayoko, G.A.; Mazaheri, M.; Morawska, L.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 208:Part A(2016)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 255
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Vehicle emissions -- Secondary organic aerosols -- Schools -- Elemental carbon -- Organic carbon; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.04.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: This comprehensive study aimed to determine the sources and driving factors of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations in ambient PM2.5 in urban schools. Sampling was conducted outdoors at 25 schools in the Brisbane Metropolitan Area, Australia. Concentrations of primary and secondary OC were quantified using the EC tracer method, with secondary OC accounting for an average of 60%. Principal component analysis distinguished the contributing sources above the background and identified groups of schools with differing levels of primary and secondary carbonaceous aerosols. Overall, the results showed that vehicle emissions, local weather conditions and secondary organic aerosols (SOA) were the key factors influencing concentrations of carbonaceous component of PM2.5 at these schools. These results provide insights into children's exposure to vehicle emissions and SOA at such urban schools. Graphical abstract: Highlights: We aimed to find the contributing sources to children's exposure at school. Measured outdoor organic carbon and elemental carbon at 25 urban schools. Schools varied in exposure to primary and secondary sources. Secondary organic carbon the largest component of carbonaceous aerosols. Vehicle emission levels at schools are primarily dependent on local traffic counts. Abstract : Key factors influencing concentrations of carbonaceous component of PM2.5 at urban schools were found to be vehicle emissions, secondary organic aerosols and local weather conditions.