Open AccessChemical characterization and Health Risk Assessment of metals associated to airborne particulate matter PM2.5 in Saltillo, México
Author(s) -
Hugo Saldarriaga-Noreña,
Silvia Montiel-Palma,
Rebecca López Márquez,
Josefina Vergara Sánchez,
Mario Alfonso Murillo-Tovar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
south florida journal of development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2675-5459
DOI - 10.46932/sfjdv2n3-035
Subject(s) - particulates , relative humidity , environmental chemistry , ammonium , health risk , metal , population , environmental science , chemistry , meteorology , geography , medicine , demography , environmental health , organic chemistry , sociology
This study was carried out from September to December 2012 and January-February 2013, in the Faculty of Chemical Sciences of the Autonomous University of Coahuila, in total 13 samples were taken. On that period, dry weather predominated, with an average temperature of 17.0 °C, relative humidity of 52.0% and wind speed of 3.5 m s-1. The mean concentration for PM2.5 was 36.0 μg m-3. The most abundant metal in PM2.5 was Fe, with an average concentration of 1386.4 ng m-3 and the lowest concentration was obtained for Cd with 4.1 ng m-3. On the other hand, within the ionic species the most abundant were sulfates (3569.0 ng m-3), while ammonium was the least abundant species (490.9 ng m-3). The ion balance indicated that during the study period the suspended particles had acidic characteristics, which means that the amount of cations was not sufficient to neutralize the sulfates, nitrates and chlorides. Finally, the risk assessment indicates that of heavy metal in the PM2.5, represent a potential danger for the health of the population exposed to the inhalation of breathable suspended particles.