Heavy Metal Pollution Characteristics and Source Analysis in the Dust Fall on Buildings of Different Heights

Abstract

High-rise buildings block airflow, and dust accumulates on their upper surfaces. In this study, dust fall on the rooftops of low-, medium-, and high-rise buildings was sampled and analyzed to assess the degree of atmospheric heavy metal pollution. The Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb mass fractions in dust samples were analyzed by microwave digestion/inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The average Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb concentrations were highest on the rooftops of low-rise buildings, whereas those of Mn and Zn were highest on high-rise buildings. The cumulative indices for the eight heavy metals revealed a moderate pollution level for Zn on the rooftops of low- and high-rise buildings. Only the potential ecological risk index for Cd was very high, with a particularly high heavy metal-related ecological risk for low-rise buildings. The enrichment factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that Zn and Cd were strongly influenced by human activity. Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb originated from traffic sources, Cr and Ni were derived from natural sources, and As was of industrial origin. The source analyses of rare earth elements were consistent with the heavy metal PCA results. In conclusion, our results provide a reference for hazard and source analysis of heavy metals in atmospheric dust fall on buildings of different heights.

Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals in the Soil of an Opencast Mine in Xinjiang

“…PCA showed that the contribution rate of principal component 1 of the dump was 45.74%, and the main contributing elements were Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, As and Zn. Among them, Cr, Zn, Ni and Cu are derived from the wear on tires and other automobile parts [ 51 ], and Pb is caused by automobile exhaust pollution [ 52 ]. As is caused by fuel combustion and atmospheric deposition from nearby factories [ 53 ]; it is identified as both a traffic source and an industrial source.…”

Preparation and Characteristics of Building Dust Suppressants with Strong Resistance to Harsh Environments

“…Initial studies focused only on the impact of construction activities on groundwater , and the neighboring soil environment. , However, with the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the dust pollution caused by construction is gradually being recognized by more and more people . A complete construction process generates a large amount of dust, mainly fine particles, with particles less than 10 μm in diameter accounting for about 90% of the total emissions . The generation of these fine particles not only significantly reduces the quality of the surrounding air but can also cause damage to equipment and shorten its service life. , Moreover, these particles have the potential to enter the human body through inhalation, thereby disrupting gas exchange within the lungs and increasing the transmission of respiratory diseases .…”

“… 6 A complete construction process generates a large amount of dust, mainly fine particles, with particles less than 10 μm in diameter accounting for about 90% of the total emissions. 7 The generation of these fine particles not only significantly reduces the quality of the surrounding air but can also cause damage to equipment and shorten its service life. 8 , 9 Moreover, these particles have the potential to enter the human body through inhalation, thereby disrupting gas exchange within the lungs and increasing the transmission of respiratory diseases.…”