A study of particulates and metallic element concentrations in temple

Abstract

Concentrations of ambient suspended particulates were measured at Tzu Yun Yen temple in Taiwan (120°, 34′, 46.2″E, 24°, 16′, 17.1″N), where semi-open incense burning is characteristic. Many pilgrims from different areas with various beliefs visit the temple and burn incense. Samples were collected with a universal sampler used for measuring suspended particulate concentrations. Sampling period was from August 8, 2006, to October 6, 2006. The average PM₁₀ concentrations measured at the temple were 16% higher than 125 μg/m³ (this value is the outdoor air quality standard according to Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)). In coarse particulates (PM_2.5–10), the mean metallic elements concentrations are in the order of Ca>Mg>Zn>Fe>Mn>Cr>Cu>Pb during weekend and weekday sampling. In addition, the fine particulates (PM_2.5) mean metallic elements concentrations are in the order of Ca>Mg>Fe>Zn>Cr>Mn>Pb>Cu during weekend sampling and Ca>Fe>Mg>Zn>Cr>Mn>Pb>Cu during weekday sampling.

Keywords

incense burning metallic elements PM10 PM2.5–10 PM2.5 temple

References

El-Fadel M Massoud M (2000) Particulate matter in urban areas: health-based economic assessment. Sci Total Environ 257: 133–146.

Fan CW Zhang JJ (2001) Characterization of emissions from portable household combustion devices: particle size distributions, emission rates and factors, and potential exposures. Atmos Environ 35: 1281–1290.

Fang GC Chang CN Chu CC Wu YS Fu PPC Chang SC (2003) Fine (PM2.5), coarse (PM2.5–10), and metallic elements of suspended particulates for incense burning at Tzu Yun Yen temple in central Taiwan. Chemosphere 51: 983–991.

Fang GC Chang CN Wu YS Yang CJ Chang SC Yang IL (2002) Suspended particulate variations and mass size distributions of incense burning at Tzu Yun Yen temple in Taiwan, Taichung. Sci Total Environ 299: 79–87.

Fang GC Wu YS Lee JF Chang CC (2007) Characteristics and source identification study of ambient suspended particulates and ionic pollutants in an area abutting a highway. Powder Technol 185: 223–230.

Jetter JJ Guo Z McBrian JA Flynn MR (2002) Characterization of emissions from burning incense. Sci Total Environ 295: 51–67.

Koo LC Matsushita H Shimizu H Mori T Tominaga S (1992) Sources of PAHs in the indoor air of Hong Kong homes. Int. conf. on priorities for indoor research and action, Switzerland, 1991, vol. 1. Indoor Environment. pp. 53 (abstract).

Lee SC Wang B (2004) Characteristics of emissions of air pollutants from burning of incense in a large environmental chamber. Atmos Environ 38: 941–951.

10.

Li CS Ro YS (2000) Indoor characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urban atmospheric of Taipei. Atmos Environ 34: 611–620.

11.

Lin TC Yang CR Chang FH (2007) Burning characteristics and emission products related to metallic content in incense. J Hazard Mater 140: 165–172.

12.

Universal Air Sampler (1996) Model 310 Universal Air Sampler™ Instruction Manual (USA), MSP Corporation, I313 Fifth Street, S.E. Sulte 206, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA.

13.

Wang B Lee SC Ho KF (2006) Chemical composition of fine particles from incense burning in a large environmental chamber. Atmos Environ 40: 7858–7868.

14.

Yang CR; Lin TC; Weng WH; (2007) Metallic Elements of Particulate Size Distribution and Hazard Risk Assessment for Burning Incense. Taiwan National Science Council final report NSC 95-2218-E-041-003.