Assessing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) using passive air sampling in the atmosphere of one of the most wood-smoke-polluted cities in Chile: The case study of Temuco

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Authors

POZO Karla Andrea ESTELLANO SCHULZE Victor Hugo HARNER Tom DIAZ-ROBLES Luis CERECEDA-BALIC Francisco ETCHARREN Pablo POZO Katerine VIDAL Victor GUERRERO Fabian VERGARA-FERNANDEZ Alberto

Year of publication 2015
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Chemosphere
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Science

Citation
Web http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653515004233
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.04.077
Field Air pollution and control
Keywords Temuco; PAHs; PUF disk; Wood combustion; Public health
Description This study addresses human health concerns in the city of Temuco that are attributed to wood smoke and related pollutants associated with wood burning activities that are prevalent in Temuco. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in air across urban and rural sites over three seasons in Temuco using polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers (PUF-PAS). Concentrations of Sigma PAHs (15 congeners) in air ranged from BDL to similar to 70 ng m(-3) and were highest during the winter season, which is attributed to emissions from residential heating by wood combustion. The results for all three seasons showed that the PAH plume was widespread across all sites including rural sites on the outskirts of Temuco. Some interesting variations were observed between seasons in the composition of PAHs, which were attributed to differences in seasonal point sources. A comparison of the PAH composition in the passive samples with active samples (gas + particle phase) from the same site revealed similar congener profiles. Overall, the study demonstrated that the PUF disk passive air sampler provides a simple approach for measuring PAHs in air and for tracking effectiveness of pollution control measures in urban areas in order to improve public health.
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