Khan, M. F. and Latif, M. T. and Saw, W. H. and Amil, N. and Nadzir, M. S. M. and Sahani, M. and Tahir, N. M. and Chung, J. X.
(2016)
Fine particulate matter in the tropical environment: monsoonal effects, source apportionment, and health risk assessment.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 16 (2).
pp. 597-617.
ISSN 1680-7316
Abstract
The health implications of PM2:5 in the tropical
region of Southeast Asia (SEA) are significant as PM2:5
can pose serious health concerns. PM2:5 concentration and
sources here are strongly influenced by changes in the monsoon
regime from the south-west quadrant to the north-east
quadrant in the region. In this work, PM2:5 samples were
collected at a semi-urban area using a high-volume air sampler
at different seasons on 24 h basis. Analysis of trace elements
and water-soluble ions was performed using inductively
coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and ion
chromatography (IC), respectively. Apportionment analysis
of PM2:5 was carried out using the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (US EPA) positive matrix factorization
(PMF) 5.0 and a mass closure model. We quantitatively
characterized the health risks posed to human populations
through the inhalation of selected heavy metals in
PM2:5. 48% of the samples collected exceeded the World
Health Organization (WHO) 24 h PM2:5 guideline but only
19% of the samples exceeded 24 h US EPA National Ambient
Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The PM2:5 concentration
was slightly higher during the north-east monsoon compared
to south-west monsoon. The main trace metals identified
were As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Mn, V, and Cr while the main ions
were SO2
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