Search

This study collected ambient air total suspended particle (TSP) concentrations and dry depositions at Taichung Science Park sampling site. The metallic elements concentrations and dry depositions were analyzed. The possible pollutant sources are discussed in this study. In addition, this study used the principal component analysis method to find metallic element sources and their transportation pathway and distributions at Taichung Science Park (T.S.P). The results indicated that the average highest TSP concentrations and dry deposition fluxes occurred in the autumn and winter seasons. The highest average metallic element concentration and dry deposition was Fe, while the lowest average metallic element concentration and dry deposition was Hg(p). The study results further indicated that the lowest metallic element concentrations and dry depositions all occurred in the summer season. The pollutant parcels originated from the northern Taiwan counties and sea surface in the autumn, winter and spring seasons. Factor 1 was responsible for the local industrial emission results and traffic road dust. The metallic elements Hg(p) yield a value greater than 0.7 in Factor 2 which revealed that ambient air particulate pollutants were generated from Taichung Thermal Power Plant (T.T.P.P.) emissions and were transported from the coastal area of mainland China cities. The mean seasonal concentration differences existed for ambient air particulates, and there were no mean seasonal concentrations differences for all metallic elements. In addition, there were no significant mean concentrations differences for all metallic elements and meteorological factors such as temperature, humidity and wind speed. Therefore, the ambient air metallic element emissions were stable and considered primary emissions sources. The health risk value for metallic element Cr was higher than that for the acceptable health risk value suggested by the EPA. Metallic element Cr revealed that it was no mean seasonal concentrations differences. Thus, metallic element Cr was considered came from local emission source at this T.S.P. sampling site., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The main goal of this study is to compare concentrations of atmospheric Hg(p) for various particles sizes Total Suspended Particulates (TSP), PM 18 , PM 10 , PM 2.5 , PM 1 , PM <1 before (2018-2019) and during (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) COVID-19 occurred periods in central Taiwan. In addition, test the statistical differences concentrations of Hg(p) for various particles sizes before and during COVID-19 occurred periods in central Taiwan. Finally, calculate the Hg(p) health risk assessment before and during COVID-19 occurred period in central Taiwan.The result indicated that the mean Hg(p) concentrations in TSP and PM 2.5 were higher during (2020-2021) the COVID-19 occurred period than that of the mean Hg(p) concentrations in TSP and PM 2.5 before the COVID-19 occurred period. In addition, the Hg(p)concentrations PM 18 , PM 10 , PM 2.5 , PM 1 and PM <1 were all increased during the COVID-19 occurred period. The Hg(p) concentrations in TSP were decreased during (2019-2020) the COVID-19 occurred period when compared with that of the before the COVID-19 occurred period. Moreover, significant mean Hg(p) concentrations differences were existed at PM 18 , PM 10 and PM 2.5 before and during (2020-2021) COVID-19 occurred periods. Finally, the HQ and HI values for Hg(p) were both increased during COVID-19 occurred periods when compared with before COVID-19 occurred period in this study.

Taichung Science Park in central Taiwan releases ambient air pollutants to the atmosphere. This issue has attracted much attention over the past few years. This study concerns seasonal concentrations of atmospheric particles and metallic elements and particle size distributions. A M.O.U.D.I sampler is used at a Taichung Science Park sampling site to obtain relevant data. Fe, followed by Al, had the highest average metallic element concentrations in particles of various sizes (PM 18 , PM 10 , PM 2.5 , PM 1 and PM <1(0.3) ); Cd had the lowest. The average concentrations of metallic elements in particles of various sizes were lowest in the summer. Fe, Al and Cr had the three highest concentrations among all metallic elements for all particles sizes in all seasons. Ambient air particulate pollutants (crustal and anthropogenic metallic elements) were released from a single emission source at Taichung Science Park site.

Ambient air TSP concentrations, dry deposition fluxes and particulate-bound mercury (Hg(p)) concentrations were measured and analyzed at a complex (traffic, residential and commercial) site. Zhang and He's model [ 1 ] was used to predict the dry deposition fluxes of ambient air particulates and Hg(p) at this complex site. The results revealed that October had the highest mean particulate concentration and lowest Hp(p) concentration and dry deposition flux. The mean calculated dry deposition fluxes of PM 2.5 and PM 2.5-10 accounted for 1%-2% and 0.06%-5% of the average total calculated dry deposition particle flux, respectively. The average calculated particle dry depositions flux of PM 10+ , accounted for 93%-99% of the average total calculated dry depositions particle flux. Finally, the model of Zhang and He underestimated the ambient air dry depositions fluxes of both particulates and Hg(p) for all particles sizes (PM 2.5 , PM 2.5-10 , PM 10 + ) at the mixed site in this study. Better results concerning the dry deposition fluxes of pollutants were obtained as the particles size increased.

This study aimed to measure and discuss the relationship of ambient air precipitations with respect to mercury wet depositions at suburban, agriculture and traffic three characteristic sampling sites during the year of 2019. In addition, the mercury volume weighted mean concentrations (VWM) at three characteristic sampling sites were also calculated. Finally, the ambient mercury wet depositions data obtained in this study to various world sampling sites were also compared and discussed in this study. The results indicated that the average mercury wet depositions for suburban, agriculture and traffic areas were 0.62, 0.55 and 2.32 ng/m 2  min, respectively. And the average mercury VWM values were 0.9, 0.72 and 1.85 ng/m 2  min for suburban, agriculture and traffic sites, respectively. In addition, the highest VWM and wet depositions for mercury both occurred in March at traffic and suburban areas. And the mercury wet depositions displayed a declined trend when the month was moved from March to July at both traffic and suburban sampling sites. In addition, the relationship between wet depositions and precipitations was low to moderate correlated in traffic area, while the relationship between wet depositions and precipitations was insignificant at both suburban and agriculture areas. Moreover, the average highest mercury wet deposition occurred in Nepal when compared to the other world sites. In addition, the average value of mercury wet depositions in Nepal was about 17.23 times to that of data obtained in this study during the period of 2007-2019. Finally, the average highest VWM (ng/L) occurred in the China. In addition, the average value mercury VWM in China was about 14.82 times to that of data obtained in this study during the period of 2007-2019.

The main goal of this study is to measure the ambient air of total suspended particulates at a mixed (traffic, residential and commercial) sampling site. And the concentrations of phthalate acid ester (PAE) which attached on total suspended particles were also analyzed. In addition, the possible sources of PAEs were also analyzed by the method of back trajectories. Finally, appropriate statistical methods were also used to test monthly and seasonal mean pollutants' (particulates, PAEs) concentration differences at this sampling site. The results indicated that the monthly concentration variation trends were similar for DEHP and total PAEs with the results as followed: November > October > July > December > September. In addition, back trajectories results also indicated that the main pollutant parcels were came from the east side of Taiwan in July. And the pollutant parcels were came from the north side of Taiwan during the month of September, October, November and December in this study. Moreover, the results also showed that the DEHP, DNOP, total PAEs' concentrations with TSP and meteorological conditions were not significantly different. But the relationship among DEHP, DNOP and total PAEs was significantly different; particularly, the relationship between DEHP and total PAEs was highly correlated in this study (R 2  = 0.994). Finally, the statistical analysis of total PAEs T test statistic for mean monthly concentrations results suggested that the sample population means were not differed significantly. In other words, there were not any mean monthly concentration differences for PAEs at this sampling site. The only exception was occurred in the month of September versus November. The results showed that there is a statistically significant PAEs' concentration difference between the input groups (September vs. November).

The particulate size distributions of aerosol pollutants (particulates and Hg(p)) at a mixed site were measured and their seasonal variations identified. Atmospheric particulates and the Hg(p) mass median diameter (m.m.d.) were obtained. Hg(p) concentrations increased by approximately 20% during the peak demand period for all particle sizes (18, 10, 2.5, 1 and 0.3 μm). The mean percentage concentration of Hg(p) was highest in summer and followed the order summer > spring > winter > autumn for all particle sizes. Hg(p) concentration exhibited increased from 2004 to 2019.

The ambient air particulates pollutants of total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM 2.5 were collected by using PS-1 and Wilbur PM 2.5 sampler, simultaneously during the year of 2015-2017 at a photoelectric factory in Science Park of central Taiwan. And those of the ambient air atmospheric metallic elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb) concentrations which attached on the TSP and PM 2.5 were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. In addition, identifying anthropogenic and natural pollutants sources were conducted by using the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA) methods. The results indicated that the average TSP and PM 2.5 concentrations were ranked highest in winter season, while summer season was ranked lowest during the year of 2015-2016. In addition, the average highest metallic element concentrations were occurred in winter season for both TSP and PM 2.5 during the year of 2015-2016, while the average lowest metallic elements concentrations in TSP and PM 2.5 were also occurred in winter season during the year of 2016-2017. Moreover, the EF analysis results showed that the metallic element Zn came from anthropogenic emission source. As for metallic element Mn, the results showed that metallic element Mn was mainly attributed to natural emission in this study. Finally, the PCA results showed that metallic elements Cr, Zn and Pb were the dominant emissions metallic elements in this study. As for PM 2.5 , the results showed that the metallic elements Cr, Cu and Pb were the dominant emissions metallic elements at this HPB sampling site.

PM 2.5 has become an important environmental issue in Taiwan during the past few years. Moreover, electricity increased significantly during the summertime and TTPP generated by coal burning base is the main electricity provider in central Taiwan. Therefore, summer season has become the main research target in this study. The ambient air concentrations of particulate matter PM 2.5 and PM 10 collected by using VAPS at a mixed characteristic sampling site were studied in central Taiwan. The results indicated that the average daytime PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulate concentrations were occurred in May and they were 44.75 and 57.77 µg/m 3 in this study. The results also indicated that the average nighttime PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulate concentrations were occurred in June and they were 38.19 and 45.79 µg/m 3 in this study. The average PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratios were 0.7 for daytime, nighttime and 24-h sampling periods in the summer for this study. This value was ranked as the lowest ratios when compared to the other seasons in previous study. Noteworthy, the results further indicated that the metallic element Pb has the mean highest concentrations for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods when compared to those of the other metallic elements (Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd). The average mean highest metallic Pb concentrations in PM10 were 110.7, 203.0 and 207.2 ng/m 3 for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods in this study. And there were 59.53, 105.2 and 106.6 ng/m 3 for Pb in PM2.5 for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods, respectively. Moreover, the results further indicated that mean metallic element Pb concentrations on PM 2.5 and PM 10 were all higher than those of the other elements for 24 h, day and nighttime.

The main purpose of this study was to monitor ambient air particulates and mercury species [RGM, Hg(p), GEM and total mercury] concentrations and dry depositions over rural area at Longjing in central Taiwan during October 2014 to September 2015. In addition, passive air sampler and knife-edge surrogate surface samplers were used to collect the ambient air mercury species concentrations and dry depositions, respectively, in this study. Moreover, direct mercury analyzer was directly used to detect the mercury Hg(p) and RGM concentrations. The result indicated that: (1) The average highest RGM, Hg(p), GEM and total mercury concentrations, and dry depositions were observed in January, prevailing dust storm occurred in winter season was the possible major reason responsible for the above findings. (2) The highest average RGM, Hg(p), GEM and total mercury concentrations, dry depositions and velocities were occurred in winter. This is because that China is the largest atmospheric mercury (Hg) emitter in the world. Its Hg emissions and environmental impacts need to be evaluated. (3) The results indicated that the total mercury ratios of Kaohsiung to that of this study were 5.61. This is because that Kaohsiung has the largest industry density (~60 %) in Taiwan. (4) the USA showed average lower mercury species concentrations when compared to those of the other world countries. The average ratios of China/USA values were 89, 76 and 160 for total mercury, RGM and Hg(p), respectively, during the years of 2000-2012.

This study characterized diurnal variations in the compositions of total suspended particulates (TSP) and dry deposits of particulates from ambient air, and the metallic elements that are contained in them at harbor, airport and farmland (HAF) sampling sites from August, 2013 to July, 2014. Two-way ANOVA of the amounts of metallic elements in the TSP and dry deposits was carried out in all four seasons at the HAF sampling sites. The metallic elements Cr and Cu originated in local emission sources at the airport. Metallic elements Zn and Pb originated in local emission sources at the harbor. Finally, metallic element Cd originated in local emissions form farmland. The following results were also obtained. (1) The metallic composition of the TSP differed significantly from that of the dry deposits in all four seasons at the harbor and farmland sampling sites, but not at the airport sampling site. (2) High correlations coefficients were found between the amounts of metallic elements Cr and Cu in the TSP and those in the dry deposits at the airport sampling site. (3) Pb was present in the TSP and the dry deposits at the harbor sampling site.

This study measured the concentrations of particulates and metallic elements in ambient air by using PS-1 sampler (TSP) at Longjing area. And this study focuses on the collection of ambient air particulates, metallic elements, particulate-bound mercury Hg(p), concentrations. In addition, the sources of ambient pollutants by way of back trajectory analysis are found. Moreover, test mean concentration variance differences for metallic elements (PM, Hg(p), Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Pb) among the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) through ANOVA are calculated. The result indicates that the average highest particulate concentration occurred in winter season, and the order was winter > spring > autumn > summer, and the mostly highest average metallic element (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb) concentrations occurred in autumn. Moreover, the mostly average lowest metallic element concentrations occurred in summer. In addition, the above results of backward trajectories that the major particulate pollutants parcel mainly come from northeastern Taiwan. Moreover, when comparing the results of the first half year to that of the second half year, the they indicated that all metallic elements displayed significant differences in concentrations except those of Hg(p), Mn, Fe, Zn. Finally, metallic element Hg(p) is the only one which showed no significant concentration difference from either seasonal variations or half-year observations.

This study characterized and discussed particulate ambient air particulate concentrations and seasonal variations for PM18, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 during June 2013-July 2013 at this traffic sampling site. In addition, this study also characterized the ambient air particulates size distributions by using MOUDI-100S4 sampler to collect 1-day the ambient suspended particles (PM18, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) at this sampling site. In addition, the study also showed that the main pollutants contributions were from traffic and residual areas. As for the pollutants seasonal concentrations variations, the results indicated that the average particle concentrations orders were all displayed as daytime > nighttime for PM18, PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 at this characteristic sampling site. The results further indicated that the mean highest of metal concentrations in this study indicated that the average metal concentration were all displayed as Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd for PM18, PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 on daytime and nighttime at this characteristic sampling site.

This study investigated the pollution of dust mite allergens in the houses of 30 families and their infection to young allergic asthma patients in Shanghai. Medical records, family information, and dust samples were collected from the dwellings of 15 young allergic asthma patients and 15 healthy subjects. Der 1 allergen, which is a common allergen causing allergic asthma, was measured in collected dust samples using the Pharmacia Uni-CAP System. A significant correlation was found between the number of Der 1 allergens collected from floor surfaces and the number of Der 1 allergens collected from bed surfaces. Some factors influencing Der 1 allergen levels were found in this study. Relative humidity in dwellings was found to be most influential to the allergen levels. The findings suggested that traditional reduction methods for coarse particles, such as opening windows and periodic cleaning of beddings, may be effective in removing dust mite allergens.