Isoconcentration mapping of particulate matter in Hamedan intercity bus stations

摘要

To accomplish this study, the total concentration of suspended particles, PM_(10) and PM_(25), was mapped at intercity bus stations in the central square of Hamedan. To measure the particulate matter (PM), portable air sampling systems that collect integrated filter samples were used. The PM concentration was collected at various time intervals and measured gravimetrically. The results were then analysed using the ArcView GIS 3.3 software to map the particulate dispersion patterns. The mean concentrations of the total suspended particles (TSP), PM_(10) and PM_(25) were 1220.94 ± 1418.5, 524.7 ± 217.5 and 386 ± 193.6μg/m~3, which were 16, 7.72 and 4.7 times greater than the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standard, respectively. The PM concentration was not correlated with wind velocity or air . temperature, but was correlated with humidity (P = 0.01). Overall, the results of this pilot study indicate that people at bus stations are exposed to respirable particulate matter (RPM) at levels high enough to pose a serious health risk.