Comparison of trace elements in size-fractionated particles in two communities with contrasting socioeconomic status in Houston, TX.
Environ Monit Assess
; 189(2): 67, 2017 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28110452
ABSTRACT
Levels of ambient air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), are often higher in low-socioeconomic status (SES) communities than in high-SES communities. Houston is the fourth largest city in the USA and is home to a large petrochemical industry, an active port, and congested roadways, which represent significant emission sources of air pollution in the region. To compare levels of air pollution between a low-SES and a high-SES community, we simultaneously collected a 7-day integrated size-fractionated PM between June 2013 and November 2013. We analyzed PM mass and elements for three particle size modes quasi-ultrafine particles (quasi-UFP) (aerodynamic diameter <0.25 µm), accumulation mode particles (0.25-2.5 µm), and coarse mode particles (>2.5 µm). Concentrations of vanadium, nickel, manganese, and iron in the quasi-UFP mode were significantly higher in the low-SES community than in the high-SES community. In the accumulation and coarse modes, concentrations of crustal elements and barium were also significantly higher in the low-SES community compared to the high-SES community. These findings suggest that people living in the low-SES community may experience higher exposures to some toxic elements as compared to people in the high-SES community.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Classe Social
/
Oligoelementos
/
Características de Residência
/
Monitoramento Ambiental
/
Poluentes Atmosféricos
/
Material Particulado
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article