Research article Special Issues

Indoor-outdoor concentrations of fine particulate matter in school building microenvironments near a mine tailing deposit

  • Received: 03 August 2016 Accepted: 07 November 2016 Published: 11 November 2016
  • Indoor air quality in school classrooms is a major pediatric health concern because children are highly susceptible to adverse effects from xenobiotic exposure. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emitted from mining waste deposits within and near cities in northern Chile is a serious environmental problem. We measured PM2.5 in school microenvironments in urban areas of Chañaral, a coastal community whose bay is contaminated with mine tailings. PM2.5 levels were measured in six indoor and outdoor school environments during the summer and winter of 2012 and 2013. Measurements were taken during school hours on two consecutive days. Indoor PM2.5 concentrations were 12.53–72.38 μg/m3 in the summer and 21.85–100.53 μg/m3 in winter, while outdoor concentrations were 11.86–181.73 μg/m3 in the summer and 21.50–93.07 μg/m3 in winter. Indoor/outdoor ratios were 0.17–2.76 in the summer and 0.64–4.49 in winter. PM2.5 levels were higher in indoor microenvironments during the winter, at times exceeding national and international recommendations. Our results demonstrate that indoor air quality Chañaral school microenvironments is closely associated with outdoor air pollution attributable to the nearby mine tailings. Policymakers should enact environmental management strategies to minimize further environmental damage and mitigate the risks that this pollution poses for pediatric health.

    Citation: Leonardo Martínez, Stephanie Mesías Monsalve, Karla Yohannessen Vásquez, Sergio Alvarado Orellana, José Klarián Vergara, Miguel Martín Mateo, Rogelio Costilla Salazar, Mauricio Fuentes Alburquenque, Ana Maldonado Alcaíno, Rodrigo Torres, Dante D. Cáceres Lillo. Indoor-outdoor concentrations of fine particulate matter in school building microenvironments near a mine tailing deposit[J]. AIMS Environmental Science, 2016, 3(4): 752-764. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2016.4.752

    Related Papers:

  • Indoor air quality in school classrooms is a major pediatric health concern because children are highly susceptible to adverse effects from xenobiotic exposure. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emitted from mining waste deposits within and near cities in northern Chile is a serious environmental problem. We measured PM2.5 in school microenvironments in urban areas of Chañaral, a coastal community whose bay is contaminated with mine tailings. PM2.5 levels were measured in six indoor and outdoor school environments during the summer and winter of 2012 and 2013. Measurements were taken during school hours on two consecutive days. Indoor PM2.5 concentrations were 12.53–72.38 μg/m3 in the summer and 21.85–100.53 μg/m3 in winter, while outdoor concentrations were 11.86–181.73 μg/m3 in the summer and 21.50–93.07 μg/m3 in winter. Indoor/outdoor ratios were 0.17–2.76 in the summer and 0.64–4.49 in winter. PM2.5 levels were higher in indoor microenvironments during the winter, at times exceeding national and international recommendations. Our results demonstrate that indoor air quality Chañaral school microenvironments is closely associated with outdoor air pollution attributable to the nearby mine tailings. Policymakers should enact environmental management strategies to minimize further environmental damage and mitigate the risks that this pollution poses for pediatric health.


    加载中
    [1] Kim JL, Elfman L, Mi Y, et al. (2007) Indoor molds, bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds and plasticizers in schools--associations with asthma and respiratory symptoms in pupils. Indoor Air 17: 153-163. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2006.00466.x
    [2] Hospodsky D, Qian J, Nazaroff WW, et al. (2012) Human occupancy as a source of indoor airborne bacteria. PLoS One 7: e34867. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034867
    [3] Oeder S, Dietrich S, Weichenmeier I, et al. (2012) Toxicity and elemental composition of particulate matter from outdoor and indoor air of elementary schools in Munich, Germany. Indoor Air 22: 148-158. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00743.x
    [4] Oeder S, Jorres RA, Weichenmeier I, et al. (2012) Airborne indoor particles from schools are more toxic than outdoor particles. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 47: 575-582. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2012-0139OC
    [5] Cartieaux E, Rzepka MA, Cuny D (2011) Indoor air quality in schools. Arch Pediatr 18: 789-796. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2011.04.020
    [6] Abramson SL, Turner-Henson A, Anderson L, et al. (2006) Allergens in school settings: results of environmental assessments in 3 city school systems. J Sch Health 76: 246-249. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2006.00105.x
    [7] Rivas E, Barrios C S, Dorner P A, et al. (2008) Association between indoor contamination and respiratory diseases in children living in Temuco and Padre Las Casas, Chile. Rev Méd Chile 767-774.
    [8] Flores C, Solis M, Fortt A, et al. (2010) Sintomatología respiratoria y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y su asociación a contaminación intradomiciliaria en el Área Metropolitana de Santiago: Estudio Platino. Rev Chil Enferm Respir 26: 72-80.
    [9] Zhang Q, Zhu Y (2012) Characterizing ultrafine particles and other air pollutants at five schools in South Texas. Indoor Air 22: 33-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00738.x
    [10] Gilliland F, McConnell R, Peters J, et al. (1999) A theoretical basis for investigating ambient air pollution and children´s respiratory health. Environ Health Perspect 107: 403-407. doi: 10.1289/ehp.99107s3403
    [11] Dockery D, Skerrett P, Walters D, et al. (2005.) Development of lung function. Effects of air pollution on children’s health and development : A review of the evidence. Bonn, World Health Organization Special Programme on Health and Environment . European Centre for Environment and Health. 108-133.
    [12] Gavidia T, Brune MN, McCarty KM, et al. (2011) Children's environmental health--from knowledge to action. Lancet 377: 1134-1136. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60929-4
    [13] Gavidia TG, Pronczuk de Garbino J, Sly PD (2009) Children's environmental health: an under-recognised area in paediatric health care. BMC Pediatr 9: 10. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-9-10
    [14] Diociaiuti M, Balduzzi M, De Berardis B, et al. (2001) The two PM(2.5) (fine) and PM(2.5-10) (coarse) fractions: evidence of different biological activity. Environ Res 86: 254-262. doi: 10.1006/enrs.2001.4275
    [15] Li N, Hao M, Phalen RF, et al. (2003) Particulate air pollutants and asthma. A paradigm for the role of oxidative stress in PM-induced adverse health effects. Clin Immunol 109: 250-265. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2003.08.006
    [16] Schwartz J, LM. N (2000) Fine particles are more strongly associated than coarse particles with acute respiratory health effects in school children. Epidemiol 11: 6-10. doi: 10.1097/00001648-200001000-00004
    [17] Aust AE, Ball JC, Hu AA, et al. (2002) Particle characteristics responsible for effects on human lung epithelial cells. Res Rep Health Eff Inst 110: 1-65.
    [18] Gavett SH, Haykal-Coates N, Copeland LB, et al. (2003) Metal composition of ambient PM2.5 influences severity of allergic airways disease in mice. Environ Health Perspect 111: 1471-1477. doi: 10.1289/ehp.6300
    [19] Okeson CD, Riley MR, Fernandez A, et al. (2003) Impact of the composition of combustion generated fine particles on epithelial cell toxicity: influences of metals on metabolism. Chemosphere 51: 1121-1128. doi: 10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00721-X
    [20] Peters J (2004) Epidemiologic investigation to identify chronic effects of ambient air pollutants in southern California. California Air Resources Board and the California No. 94-331 No. 94-331.
    [21] Méndez LM (1996) Historiografía minera de Chile (1870-1996). Ensayo Bibliográfico. Dimensión Historica de Chile. 67-89.
    [22] Csavina J, Field J, Taylor MP, et al. (2012) A review on the importance of metals and metalloids in atmospheric dust and aerosol from mining operations. Sci Total Environ 433: 58-73. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.013
    [23] Jung MC (2008) Contamination by Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in mine wastes from abandoned metal mines classified as mineralization types in Korea. Environ Geochem Health 30: 205-217. doi: 10.1007/s10653-007-9109-x
    [24] Meza-Figueroa D, Maier RM, de la OVM, et al. (2009) The impact of unconfined mine tailings in residential areas from a mining town in a semi-arid environment: Nacozari, Sonora, Mexico. Chemosphere 77: 140-147. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.04.068
    [25] Lagos G, Velasco P (1999) Environmental Policies and Practices in Chilean Mining. In: Centre IDR, editor. Mining and the environments. Cases studies from the Americas. Canada: National Library of Canada.
    [26] Dold B (2006) Element Flows Associated with Marine Shore Mine Tailings Deposits. Environ Sci Technol 40: 752-758. doi: 10.1021/es051475z
    [27] Lee MR, Correa JA, Castilla JC (2001) An assessment of the potential use of the nematode to copepod ratio in the monitoring of metals pollution. The Chanaral case. Mar Pollut Bull 42: 696-701. doi: 10.1016/S0025-326X(00)00220-4
    [28] Koski RA (2012) Metal Dispersion Resulting from Mining Activities in Coastal Environments: A Pathways Approach. Oceanography 25: 170-183. doi: 10.5670/oceanog.2012.53
    [29] Li M, Qi J, Zhang H, et al. (2011) Concentration and size distribution of bioaerosols in an outdoor environment in the Qingdao coastal region. Sci Total Environ 409: 3812-3819. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.06.001
    [30] Martinez-Sanchez MJ, Navarro MC, Perez-Sirvent C, et al. (2008) Assessment of the mobility of metals in a mining-impacted coastal area (Spain, Western Mediterranean). J Geochem Explor 96: 171-182. doi: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2007.04.006
    [31] Violintzis C, Arditsoglou A, Voutsa D (2009) Elemental composition of suspended particulate matter and sediments in the coastal environment of Thermaikos Bay, Greece: delineating the impact of inland waters and wastewaters. J Hazard Mater 166: 1250-1260. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.12.046
    [32] SERNAGEOMIN (2015) Catastro Nacional de Depósitos de Relave. Depósitos Activos y No activos 2015 Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería.
    [33] Neary D, Garcia-Chevesich P (2008) Hydrology and erosion impacts of mining derived coastal sand dunes, Chanaral Bay, Chile. Hydrol Water Resour Arizona Southwest 38: 47-52.
    [34] Vergara A (2011) Cuando el río suena, piedras trae: Relaves de cobre en la bahía de Chañaral, 1938-1990. Cuadernos de historia Departamento de Ciencias Históricas, Universidad de Chile: 135-151.
    [35] Juliá C, Montecinos S, Maldonado A (2008) Caracteristicas Climáticas de la Región de Atacama. en Libro Rojo de la Flora Nativa y de los Sitios Prioritarios para su Conservación: Región de Atacama In: F.A. Squeo GAJRG, eds. , editor: Ediciones Universidad de la Serena, La Serena, Chile.
    [36] EPA (2006) Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems Volume IV: Meteorological Measurements. In: Program AAQM, editor. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Air Quality Assessment Division RTP, NC 27711.
    [37] Lim JM, Jeong JH, Lee JH, et al. (2011) The analysis of PM2.5 and associated elements and their indoor/outdoor pollution status in an urban area. Indoor Air 21: 145-155. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2010.00691.x
    [38] Massey D, Masih J, Kulshrestha A, et al. (2009) Indoor/outdoor relationship of fine particles less than 2.5 um(PM2.5) in residential homes locations in central Indian region. Built Environ 44: 2037-2045. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2009.02.010
    [39] Yohannessen K, Alvarado S, Mesías S, et al. (2015) Exposure to fine particles by mine tailing and lung function effects in a panel of schoolchildren, Chañaral, Chile. J Environ Prot 6: 118-128. doi: 10.4236/jep.2015.62014
    [40] Tian G, Fan SB, Huang YH, et al. (2008) Relationship between wind velocity and PM10 concentration & emission flux of fugitive dust source. Huan Jing Ke Xue 29: 2983-2986.
    [41] Moreno ME, Acosta-Saavedra LC, Meza-Figueroa D, et al. (2010) Biomonitoring of metal in children living in a mine tailings zone in Southern Mexico: A pilot study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 213: 252-258. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2010.03.005
    [42] Hu H, Shine J, Wright RO (2007) The challenge posed to children's health by mixtures of toxic waste: the Tar Creek superfund site as a case-study. Pediatr Clin North Am 54: 155-175. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2006.11.009
    [43] Ojelede M, Annegarn H, Kneen M (2012) Evaluation of aeolian emissions from gold mine tailings on the Witwatersand. Aeolian Res 3: 477-486. doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2011.03.010
    [44] Bea SA, Ayora C, Carrera J, et al. (2010) Geochemical and environmental controls on the genesis of soluble efflorescent salts in coastal mine tailings deposits: a discussion based on reactive transport modeling. J Contam Hydrol 111: 65-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2009.12.005
    [45] Stovern M, Betterton EA, Saez AE, et al. (2014) Modeling the emission, transport and deposition of contaminated dust from a mine tailing site. Rev Environ Health 29: 91-94.
    [46] Stovern M, Felix O, Csavina J, et al. (2014) Simulation of windblown dust transport from a mine tailings impoundment using a computational fluid dynamics model. Aeolian Res 14: 75-83. doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2014.02.008
    [47] Harrison RM, Yin J, Mark D, et al. (2001) Studies of coarse particle (2.5–10 μm) component in UK urban atmospheres. Atmos Environ 35: 3667-3679. doi: 10.1016/S1352-2310(00)00526-4
    [48] Alan J, Harrison RM, Baker J (2010) The wind speed dependence of the concentrations of airborne particulate matter and NOx. Atmos Environ 44: 1682-1690. doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.01.007
    [49] Lee S, Guo H, Li V, et al. (2002) inter-comparasion of air pollutant concentrations in different indoor environment in Hong Kong. Atmos Environ 36: 1929-1940. doi: 10.1016/S1352-2310(02)00176-0
    [50] John K, Karnae S, Crist K, et al. (2007) Analysis of trace elements and ions in ambient fine particulate matter at three elementary schools in Ohio. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 57: 394-406. doi: 10.3155/1047-3289.57.4.394
    [51] Annesi-Maesano I, Moreau D, Caillaud D, et al. (2007) Residential proximity fine particles related to allergic sensitisation and asthma in primary school children. Respir Med 101: 1721-1729. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2007.02.022
    [52] Janssen NAH, van Vliet PHN, Aarts F, et al. (2001) Assessment of exposure to traffic related air pollution of children attending schools near motorways. Atmos Environ 35: 3875-3884. doi: 10.1016/S1352-2310(01)00144-3
    [53] Wheeler AJ, Williams I, Beaumont RA, et al. (2000) Characterisation of Particulate Matter Sampled During a Study of Children’s Personal Exposure to Airborne Particulate Matter in a UK Urban Environment. Environ Monit Assess 65: 69-77. doi: 10.1023/A:1006447807980
    [54] Diapouli E, Chaloulakou A, Mihalopoulos N, et al. (2008) Indoor and outdoor PM mass and number concentrations at schools in the Athens area. Environ Monit Assess 136: 13-20.
    [55] Madureira J, Paciencia I, Fernandes Ede O (2012) Levels and indoor-outdoor relationships of size-specific particulate matter in naturally ventilated Portuguese schools. J Toxicol Environ Health A 75: 1423-1436. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2012.721177
    [56] Mohammadyan M, Shabankhani B (2013) Indoor PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations in primary schools in Sari, Iran. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 64: 371-377.
    [57] Nkosi V, Wichmann J, Voyi K (2015) Mine dumps, wheeze, asthma, and rhinoconjunctivitis among adolescents in South Africa: any association? Int J Environ Health Res 25: 583-600. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2014.989493
    [58] Jorquera H, Barraza F (2013) Source apportionment of PM10 and PM2.5 in a desert region in northern Chile. Sci Total Environ 444: 327-335. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.007
    [59] Castilla JC (1983) Environmental impacts in sandy beaches of copper mine tailing at Chañaral, Chile. Mar Pollut Bullet 14: 159-464.
    [60] Parra S, Bravo MA, Quiroz W, et al. (2014) Distribution of trace elements in particle size fractions for contaminated soils by a copper smelting from different zones of the Puchuncavi Valley (Chile). Chemosphere 111: 513-521. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.03.127
    [61] Jorquera H (2009) Source apportionment of PM10 and PM2.5 at Tocopilla, Chile (22 degrees 05' S, 70 degrees 12' W). Environ Monit Assess 153: 235-251. doi: 10.1007/s10661-008-0352-0
  • Reader Comments
  • © 2016 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
  • 1. 

    沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

  1. 本站搜索
  2. 百度学术搜索
  3. 万方数据库搜索
  4. CNKI搜索

Metrics

Article views(5546) PDF downloads(1002) Cited by(7)

Article outline

Figures and Tables

Figures(3)  /  Tables(2)

/

DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
Return
Return

Catalog