Using low cost open-face passive samplers to sample PM concentration and elemental composition in childcare facilities

Wang, Zhongmin; Zhou, Yixin; Gaspar, Fraser W.; Bradman, Asa

doi:10.1039/d0em00075b

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Others: ̴ 0.11% In comparison, the total carbon percentage of ambient PM under normal conditions has been reported in other urban regions to be 12-18% [56], while the elemental analysis of PM sampled during non-fire season in the San Francisco Bay Area showed that it was 14% [43]. The higher carbon content of 38.76% detected in the wildfire PM during the Camp Fire period likely indicates enhanced incomplete combustion products.…”

Section: Pm Morphology and Elemental Profilesmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…14% [43]. The higher carbon content of 38.76% detected in the wildfire PM during the Camp Fire period likely indicates enhanced incomplete combustion products.…”

Section: Black Carbon Enrichment During the Wildfire Episodementioning

confidence: 91%

“…A Tescan MIRA3 field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) in high-vacuum mode with a BSE detector was used for imaging, and elemental chemistry was analyzed with a Bruker Quantax energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscope. [43] were placed out on the CDPH roof (Figure 3), and in a residential backyard in Albany, CA (7.2 km south of the Richmond campus, 2 m in height). Samplers with copper (Ted Pella, prod # 16072) and carbon substrates (Ted Pella, Product # 16084 and GE polycarbonate 0.01-micron filter on the top) were deployed side by side at the same time; copper tape was used for the optimal detection of the carbon content in the aerosols during the wildfire season.…”

Section: Passive Pm Sampling and Sem/eds Particle Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We repeated the measurement multiple times on many different particles and obtained values between 7.1 and 8.4, with an average value of 7.9 and a standard deviation of ±0.57. Note that since copper substrates were used for this measurement, there was no carbon substrate effect on the carbon concentration calculation, a potentially more accurate and reliable method for carbon content determination [43]. In addition to carbon and oxygen (Figure 11), some tar balls also included sulfur (S), as shown in Figure 11c.…”

Section: Pm Morphology and Elemental Profilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacts on Urban VOCs and PM2.5 during a Wildfire Episode

Wang,

Wagner

et al. 2024

Environments

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This study focuses on the impact of wildfire smoke emissions on regional, urban air quality during a wildfire event. We measured volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the San Francisco Bay Area to assess air quality during a wildfire event and compared them to those in a later non-wildfire period. VOCs were collected using thermal desorption tubes and quantified using thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). Elevated concentrations of VOCs such as 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (0.33 ± 0.01 µg/m3), benzene (1.03 ± 0.02 µg/m3), toluene (2.15 ± 0.04 µg/m3), ethylbenzene (0.60 ± 0.02 µg/m3), and m, p-xylene (0.77 ± 0.07 µg/m3) were observed in the wildfire event. Compared with that in the non-wildfire season, the toluene concentration during the wildfire period was more than three times the non-wildfire concentration. Similarly, the benzene concentration during the wildfire was almost four times higher, and that of p, m-xylene was three times higher. The higher wildfire levels were statistically significant for sec-butylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, o-xylene, styrene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and p,m-xylene (p < 0.00001). These higher VOC levels compared with those for the non-fire period may potentially pose a public health concern. Open face passive sampler (OFPS)-collected PM was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and revealed organic carbon tar balls. The highest daily average beta-attenuation-monitored PM2.5 during the fire period was 200 µg/m3 and the highest hourly average was 270 µg/m3. Monitoring gas phase species in addition to PM concentrations is useful during wildfire season to inform public health guidance.

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Section: Pm Morphology and Elemental Profilesmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…14% [43]. The higher carbon content of 38.76% detected in the wildfire PM during the Camp Fire period likely indicates enhanced incomplete combustion products.…”

Section: Black Carbon Enrichment During the Wildfire Episodementioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Passive Pm Sampling and Sem/eds Particle Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pm Morphology and Elemental Profilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacts on Urban VOCs and PM2.5 during a Wildfire Episode

Wang,

Wagner

et al. 2024

Environments

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“…However, such detailed information can be difficult to ascertain when PM exposure assessment methods are difficult to implement, expensive, or limited to mass concentration data only. Passive PM sampling has been shown to be a convenient, unobtrusive, and relatively low-cost method to conduct community indoor and outdoor air quality studies [8][9][10]. Passive PM samples can be particularly informative when analyzed via scanning electron microscopy plus energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS).…”

Section: Sampling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Airborne Particle Types and Sources at a California School Using Electron Microscopy

Wagner,

Castorina,

Kumagai

et al. 2023

Atmosphere

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We conducted a pilot study to investigate air quality indoors in two classrooms and outdoors on the school grounds in a California community with historically high PM2.5 (fine particulate matter, diameter < 2.5 μm). We used computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy of passive samples to identify major PM types, which were used to help interpret continuous PM2.5 and black carbon sensor data. The five major PM types were sodium salt particles with sulfur, calcium, or chlorine; aluminosilicate dusts; carbonaceous combustion agglomerates; biogenic particles; and metal-rich particles. Based on morphological evidence of water droplets, the salt particles are hypothesized to be secondary aerosols formed via the reaction of sodium chloride fog droplets with sulfur from regional sources. The carbonaceous agglomerates had unusual morphologies consistent with low-temperature combustion and smoke from open-burning activities observed nearby. The passive PM sampler and continuous sensor results indicated lower concentrations in the classroom equipped with an air cleaner. Passive samples collected in one classroom exhibited enhanced PM10–2.5 crustal particles and PM2.5 metal particles, suggesting a potential local PM source in that room. Future study designs that enable longer passive sampling times would reduce detection limits and sample contamination concerns. The determination of major airborne particle types in a given environment makes this technique a useful and unique community exposure assessment tool, even in these limited-duration (48 h) deployments.

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Monitoring of Ventilation, Portable Air Cleaner Operation, and Particulate Matter in California Classrooms: A Pilot Study

Chen,

Wang,

Peerless

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Interest in improving ventilation and indoor air quality (IAQ) in California schools has grown since the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents a field protocol for simultaneous monitoring of usage patterns of in-room portable air cleaners (PACs), indoor and outdoor concentrations and composition of particulate matter (PM), and CO2 as an indicator of outdoor air ventilation rates (VRs). This protocol was implemented for a 7-week pilot study in four occupied California classrooms in 2022. Monitoring results showed that VRs and indoor PM were generally well maintained in the classrooms studied. One classroom had much higher overall VRs, as well as higher average indoor PM2.5 concentrations compared to similar classrooms, suggesting a possible strong impact of window/door opening behavior on both VRs and indoor PM. The actual use patterns of PACs in these classrooms varied significantly. No clear correlations were observed between PAC use patterns and indoor PM2.5 concentrations in this pilot study, possibly due to low outdoor PM2.5 concentrations and already efficient central filtration (i.e., MERV 13 filters in central ventilation systems). Information gathered through such field monitoring can help schools to understand the actual classroom ventilation and IAQ conditions and best allocate resources to classrooms that need further IAQ improvements.

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Using low cost open-face passive samplers to sample PM concentration and elemental composition in childcare facilities

Abstract: Effective, low noise and low-cost samplers for airborne particulate matter (PM) in indoor environments are needed.

Cited by 3 publications

References 39 publications

Impacts on Urban VOCs and PM2.5 during a Wildfire Episode

Impacts on Urban VOCs and PM2.5 during a Wildfire Episode

Identification of Airborne Particle Types and Sources at a California School Using Electron Microscopy

Monitoring of Ventilation, Portable Air Cleaner Operation, and Particulate Matter in California Classrooms: A Pilot Study

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