Evaluation of Fine and Ultrafine Particles Proportion in Airborne Dust in an Industrial Area

The health impacts of suspended particulate matter (SPM) are significantly associated with size—the smaller the aerosol particles, the stronger the biological effect. Quantitative evaluation of fine and ultrafine particles (FP and UFP) is, therefore, an integral part of ongoing epidemiological studies. The mass concentrations of SPM fractions (especially PM(2.5), PM(1.0), PM(0.25)) were measured in an industrial area using cascade personal samplers and a gravimetric method, and their mass ratio was determined. The results of PM(2.5), PM(1.0) were also compared with the reference measurement at stationary stations. The mean ratios PM(2.5)/SPM, PM(1.0)/SPM, and PM(1.0)/PM(2.5) were 0.76, 0.65, and 0.86, respectively. Surprisingly, a mass dominance of UFP with an aerodynamic diameter <0.25 μm (PM(0.25)) was found with mean ratios of 0.43, 0.57, 0.67 in SPM, PM(2.5) and PM(1.0). The method used showed satisfactory agreement in comparison with reference measurements. The respirable fraction may consist predominantly of UFP. Despite the measures currently being taken to improve air quality, the most biologically efficient UFP can escape and remain in the air. UFP are currently determined primarily as particle number as opposed to the mass concentration used for conventional fractions. This complicates their mutual comparison and determination of individual fraction ratios.