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Size distribution of total and water-soluble fractions of particle-bound elements—assessment of possible risks via inhalation

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Abstract

The size distribution of total and water-soluble elemental concentrations in six particle sizes <0.49, 0.49–0.97, 0.97–1.5, 1.5–3.0, 3.0–7.2, and 7.2–30 μm was investigated in Thessaloniki area, N. Greece, at two sites representing urban-traffic and urban-background character during the cold and warm period. The elements As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, Ru, and Ir exhibited their highest mass portion in the fine particle mode (0.97–1.5 μm), whereas Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, and Mn occurred predominately in the coarse particle mode (3.0–7.2 μm). The water-soluble elemental fractions exhibited significant spatiotemporal variations and particle size dependence. Possible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with inhalation of particle-bound elements based on total and water-soluble concentrations were in acceptable levels. However, the cumulative risk for all potential particle-bound constituents has to be considered.

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Acknowledgments

This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund—ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF)—Research Funding Program: Thales. Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund. Project code/Title: MIS 377304/“Bioactivity of airborne particulates in relation with their size, morphology, and chemical composition”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thesaloniki, Greece

    D. Voutsa, A. Besis, A. Tsolakidou & C. Samara

  2. Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thesaloniki, Greece

    A. Anthemidis, G. Giakisikli & K. Mitani

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  1. D. Voutsa
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  2. A. Anthemidis
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  3. G. Giakisikli
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  4. K. Mitani
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  5. A. Besis
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  6. A. Tsolakidou
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  7. C. Samara
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Correspondence to D. Voutsa.

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Responsible editor: Gerhard Lammel

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Table S1

Operating conditions of the ICP-AES. (DOCX 23 kb)

Figure S1

Map of the study area. Sampling sites are shown (UT and UB represent urban-traffic and urban-background site, respectively). (DOCX 516 kb)

Figure S2

Non-carcinogenic risk quotients (THQs) in urban traffic (UT) and urban background site (UB) through inhalation of particle-bound elements in alveolar, respirable, and inhalable particle fractions for different population groups. (DOC 24 kb)

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Voutsa, D., Anthemidis, A., Giakisikli, G. et al. Size distribution of total and water-soluble fractions of particle-bound elements—assessment of possible risks via inhalation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 13412–13426 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4559-7

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