Concentrations of Ni and V, other heavy metals, arsenic, elemental and organic carbon in atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5) from Puerto Rico

Abstract

Fine atmospheric particulate PM 2.5 (particles with diameters of <2.5 μm) were sampled in an urban industrialized area -Guaynabo, Puerto Rico ( Figure 1) -and in a reference less polluted site -Fajardo, Puerto Rico -and analyzed for trace metals, and inorganic and organic elemental carbon. PM 2.5 samples were collected from November 2000 to September 2001 using an Andersen Instruments RAAS2.5-400 for periods of 72 h. Metals analyzed were arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) by atomic absorption. Levels of elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC) were also determined. All metals analyzed, except for Fe, were significantly higher in PM 2.5 from Guaynabo when compared to Fajardo. Average levels of PM 2.5 in Guaynabo were 11.6 versus 8.5 μg/m 3 in Fajardo. Average levels of EC were 1.5 and <0.14 μg/m 3 ; and OC levels were 2.2 and <1 μg/m 3 for Guaynabo and Fajardo, respectively. Levels of Ni (17 ng/m 3 ) and V (40 ng/m 3 ) determined in PM 2.5 from the Guaynabo area were high when compared to other cities, and these metals could be responsible for respiratory problems reported in the area. Multivariate analyses showed strong relationships in Guaynabo between Ni and V, PM 2.5 and Fe and As and Cu and Pb. In Fajardo, the strongest associations were obtained between PM 2.5 and Fe, Cd and V and Ni and Pb and Cu, these last three elements exhibiting an inverse relationship.

Trends in arsenic levels in PM10 and PM2.5 aerosol fractions in an industrialized area

“…PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations Levels of PM 2.5 measured at the area of interest (Table 1) Puerto Rico (Figueroa et al, 2006), but lower than PM 2.5 levels in Italy (Marcazzan et al 2001), China (Ho et al 2002) or Taiwan (Fang et al 1999).…”

Occurrence of Toxic Trace Metals in Health-Significant Atmospheric Particles

“…Figueroa et al [12] confirmed that most of the toxic metals in the air occur in the form of fine particles. It is suggested that these metals can produce lung tissue damage by catalyzing oxidant formation [13].…”

Analytical approaches for arsenic determination in air: A critical review

“…Also, the U.S. EPA indicated the use of glass or quartz fibre filters for PM collection [44]. In this sense, there are some studies that employ filters made of polycarbonate [50,54,60], PTFE (Teflon) [61][62][63] or glass fibre [46,64,65], although in none of these references a justification is given for the selection of a particular type of material. The properties and blank values for…”