Abstract for presentation at 14th IUAPPA World Congress

Characterization of Inhalable Particulate Matter in Siracusa City

  • S Sciacca, Catania University, Italy
  • Prof Roberto Fallico, Catania University, Italy
  • MV Brundo, Catania University, Italy
  • M Fiore, Catania University, Italy
  • G Oliveri Conti, Catania University, Italy
  • ML Sinatra, Catania University, Italy
  • F Bella, Catania University, Italy
  • R Galatà, Catania University, Italy
  • R Castagno, Catania University, Italy
  • P Caltavituro, Catania University, Italy
  • A Cirrone Cipolla, Catania University, Italy
  • M Ferrante, Catania University, Italy

    • Atmospheric pollution is one of the main risk factors for health in urban areas; the extensive diffusion of atmospheric pollutants and the consequent exposure of widely dispersed groups constitutes an important sanitary impact on a population. Catania University was asked to characterize fine particles in Siracusa city, because of frequent exceedances of environmental limits. This study considered different areas by house density, productive activity and vehicular traffic. Localities with low house density and limited vehicular traffic were designated as "white" and "black" localities were identified near the Siracusa industrial zone. Both types of locality were remote from built-up areas. Indicator parameters used were: total suspended particulates (TSP), inhalable particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 10 µm (PM10) and 2.5 µm (PM2.5), benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (mercury, lead, palladium, platinum, rhodium and chromium). Indicator parameters were correlated with meteorological conditions. TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 were collected on aspirated filters and measured gravimetrically. The elemental composition and structural characteristics of PM10 samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). Benzene was determined through head-space gas-chromatography (HS-GC) preceded by cryo-concentration. PAHs was determined through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) and fluorescence detectors, while heavy metals was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA) after TSP acid mineralization. Results showed that most of the fine particles were of natural origin, but anthropogenic sources were also important too, especially vehicles and industries.
    Key words: Atmospheric pollution, particulate matter, characterization.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd