Influence of tobacco smoke on the elemental composition of indoor particles of different sizes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

K. Slezakova (Author) Other; M. C. Pereira (Author) FEUP; M. C. Alvim Ferraz (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Atmospheric Environment

Vol. 43 No. 3

Pages: 486-493

ISSN: 1352-2310

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 65 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 65 Citations

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering

Associated Projects

Gulbenkian 60415 - Partículas suspensas no ar exterior e interior: caracterização para suporte de estudos epidemiológicos

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-P75

DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.10.017

Abstract (EN): Tobacco smoking is one of the greatest sources of indoor inhalable (PM(10)) particles. In the past, the studies conducted on indoor particulates were mostly related to PM(10), however in the last decade respirable particles (PM(2.5)) and even smaller particles (PM(1)) began to be more important as they penetrate deeper in the respiratory system, causing severe health effects. Therefore, more information on fine particles is needed. Aiming to evaluate the impact of tobacco smoke on public health, this work evaluates the influence of tobacco smoke on the characteristics of PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(1) considering concentration and elemental composition. Samples were collected at sites influenced by tobacco smoke, as well as at reference sites, using low-volume samplers; the element analyses were performed by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE); Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Cd, I, Ba, La, Ce and Pb were quantified. At the sites influenced by tobacco smoke concentrations were 270-560% higher for PM(10) and 320-680% higher for PM(2.5) than at reference sites. Tobacco smoke increased the total concentrations of five carcinogenic elements (Cr, Ni, As, Cd and Pb) 1100-2400% for PM(10) and 840-2200% for PM(2.5). The elements associated with tobacco smoke (S, K, Cr, Ni, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) were predominantly present in the fine fraction; the elements mostly originating from building erosion (Mg, Al, Si and Ca) predominantly occurred in the coarse particles. The analysis of enrichment factors confirmed that tobacco smoking mainly influenced the composition of the fine fraction of particles; as these smaller particles have a strong influence on health, these conclusions are relevant for the development of strategies to protect public health.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8