Airborne Particles from Urban and Industrial Areas of La Plata (Argentina) and Leipzig (Germany)

U. FRANNK; M.J.TUEROS; A. MULLER; L. MASSOLO; M. REHWAGEN; O. HERBARTH; A. RONCO

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congreso; IV Reunión Latinoamericana de la Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC); 2001

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Air pollution studies carried out in La Plata and Leipzig from places under the influence of traffic, domestic and industrial (petrochemical and oil refining processes) emissions and control areas, included de sampling of fine, very fine and ultrafine particles in outdoor air, the analysis of particle size and shape distribution, the chemical characterization of semivolatile organic bound compounds (SVOCs), and the biological effects of extracts assessed by means of cytotoxicity and mutagenicity tests. Sampling methods were done by means of high volume samplers with cascade impactors, (6 fractions from 10 mm to less than 0.45 mm) and isokinetic samplers. Methods of analysis were: scanning electron microscopy and image analysis for particle effective diameter and shape factor characterization for statistical description of particles, EDX measurements for soot particle confirmatory testing, HPLC (fluorescence/UV) for chemical analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAH) composition of SVOCs and laboratory toxicity tests (mutagenicity- Ames/Salmonella TA98, S9+ and citotoxicity- Tetrahymena pyriformis cell system) for the assessment of biological effects of organic extracts. Results of the analysis of particle size distribution indicate a higher proportion of ultrafine material in urban and industrial areas; while in blank sectors coarser particle proportion dominate the PM 10. Although soot particles were detected in all areas, a higher proportion was associated to urban and industrial sectors. Eighty percent of PAHs detected are bound to particles smaller than 1.5 micrometers. The influence of industrial emissions were detected in the urban area of La Plata. Biological effects indicate highest mutagenic potency and cytotoxicity in organic extracts from finest fractions. Results contribute with basic information for future environmental and human risk assessment studies in the regions.