Elemental and organic carbon in ambient air of a major Indian urban community.

ABSTRACT

Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between residential proximity to traffic sources and adverse respiratory symptoms as the Diesel Exhaust Particulate surfaces act as a site for the concentration of thousands of organic compounds. Analysis of 24 h integrated samples of PM10 and PM2.5 collected at a kerb site in a major Indian urban community, heavily impacted by heavy commercial vehicles, showed elemental carbon concentrations higher (14.4-48.8 micrg/m(3)) than organic carbon (1.7-9.2 micrg/m(3)). The organic to elemental carbon ratio varied from 0.09 to 0.31. Average concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 ranged 133-492 micrg/m(3) and 87-160 microg/m(3), respectively.