Investigation of vertical distribution of ambient air particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) concentration at the respiratory heights of children and adults

Abstract

Introduction: Air pollution is one of the most important environmental risks to human health. The particulate matter tend to be carcinogenic for humans and can pose a greater hazard to children due to their immaturity and lack of development of the immune system. The current study is aimed to investigate the difference in the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in the ambient air in the breathing height of children and adults. Materials and methods: Particulate matter were measured cross-sectionally in sidewalks, streets, alleys, squares, and parks of Tehran simultaneously at two heights of 160 cm and 70 cm from the ground. As well as, other variables such as vegetation, buildings and meteorological data were also measured in each location. Results: There was a difference between the concentration of PM2.5 at the breathing height of children, with the average concentration of 52.0 μg/m3, and the concentration of PM2.5 at the breathing height of adults with the average concentration of 51.6 μg/m3, with p-value of 0.013. Even though the difference is significant, it does not seem to have a significant impact on health. No significant difference was observed between the PM10 concentration at the breathing height of children and adults; however, there was significant difference between the concentrations of PM2.5 with the clean air standard of Iran and data from monitoring stations. Conclusion: The amount of PM2.5 and PM10 is almost the same in children and adults based on the difference in breathing height.

Keywords

• Vertical distribution; Particulate matter (PM10); PM2.5; Children