Elemental composition of PM₁₀ in indoor environments of a scientific research institution and risk assessment

ABSTRACT

Synchronized indoor and outdoor sampling campaigns of PM₁₀ were performed in two research laboratories and a mechanical workshop in Mexico City, during the dry cold season. The goals were to measure indoor and outdoor gravimetric mass and elemental concentrations, recognize the origin of particles, penetration toward the indoor environments, and assess inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption risks to human health. Concentrations of 18 elements were measured with X-ray Fluorescence; selected samples were studied with Scanning Electron Microscopy. Mass concentrations were higher outdoors than indoors and elemental concentrations were similar. Enrichment factors identified several geogenic elements. Cluster Analysis recognized common sources of elements and penetration of outdoor particles to indoor environments. Particles emitted indoors could be identified. Exposure to Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb particles produced low health risks; Cr may only cause an ingestion risk. Only outdoor Mn and Ni Hazard Quotients are higher outdoors than indoors. 

KEYWORDS:

• PM₁₀
• Mexico City
• indoor pollution
• health risk
• XRF
• SEM

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, under grant IN-101021. SRC recognizes the support of CONACyT through a scholarship. The authors acknowledge D.L. Serrano for assistance during sampling campaigns, R. Hernández and C.R. Magaña’s technical support for SEM and EPMA analyses, and J.E. Pérez’s support for sampling at the mechanical workshop.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/26395940.2023.2232108

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, under grant IN-101021. SRC recognizes the support of CONACyT through a scholarship.