CHARACTERIZATION OF FINE PARTICULATE MATTER IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN OHIO

摘要

This paper presents findings from chemical analysis of PM_(25) conducted at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. This research project was conducted to provide a comprehensive study of the chemical and transport characteristics of PM2.5 in urban, sub-urban, and rural areas of central and southeastern Ohio. The objectives were also to study indoor and outdoor PM_(25) characteristics in these areas and to analyze the relationship of PM_(25) with various meteorological parameters. The research at TexasA&M University-Kingsville supports a larger study underway at Ohio University. The core focus of the Ohio study is to identify key PM_(25) components that may be harmful to the children in Ohio. This would also provide data for better understanding of health effects on the general population. This study is first of its kind in elementary schools in Ohio. PM25 aerosol samples were collected from an outdoor monitor and an indoor sampler at three elementary schools in central and southeasternOhio between February 1, 1999 and August 31, 2000. The field experiment, which began in February of 1999, consists of three longitudinal studies involving a rural elementary school location, Athens, Ohio (East elementary school), and two urban school settings, both within Columbus, Ohio (Koebel and New Albany). The three sites representing urban, suburban and rural locations in Ohio are shown in figure 1. The average PM_(25) concentrations considered in this paper are the arithmetic averages of the filter mass collected at each site during the entire period of study. Organic matter and elemental carbon were not analyzed as a part of this study.