Identification of tobacco smoke components in indoor breathable particles by SEM–EDS

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 863 - 872
• Main Authors: Slezakova, K., Pires, J.C.M., Martins, F.G., Pereira, M.C., Alvim-Ferraz, M.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: anthropogenic activities; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; chemical composition; Cluster analysis; emissions; energy; Exact sciences and technology; human health; particulates; PM 10; PM 2.5; Pollution; scanning electron microscopy; SEM–EDS; smoke; tobacco; Tobacco smoke; traffic; X-radiation; Cluster analysis; PM 10; Tobacco smoke; SEM–EDS; PM 2.5; Scanning electron microscopy; Microanalysis; Tobacco smoking; Identification; Motor vehicle; X ray analysis; Dispersive spectrometry; Coarse particle; Tobacco; Health and environment; SEM-EDS; Fine particle; Pollution source; Aerosols; Air pollution; Chemical composition; Road traffic; PM; Public health; Anthropogenic factor
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.11.019

Tobacco smoke is one of the greatest sources of indoor particles, which has been linked with serious health effects. Consequently, there has been a widespread interest in analysing tobacco related indoor particulate matter (PM). Nevertheless, the majority of performed studies focused on bulk chemical composition of tobacco related PM, but the knowledge of individual tobacco smoke particles is still limited. Therefore, more information on PM should be provided, namely concerning morphological and chemical characterisation of individual particles. Aiming to further understand the impact of tobacco smoke on human health, this work studied the influence of tobacco smoke on chemical and morphological characteristics of PM
10 and PM
2.5, collected at one site influenced by smoking and at one reference (non-smoking) site. Chemical and morphological characteristics of 4000 individual particles were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) combined with X-ray microanalysis (by Energy Dispersive Spectrometer – EDS). Cluster analysis (CA) was used to classify different particle groups that occurred in PM, aiming the identification of the respective emission sources. The results showed that tobacco smoke influenced the characteristics of both fine and coarse particles, this influence being stronger for fine fraction. The abundance of particles associated with tobacco smoke was 27% and 5% for PM
2.5 and PM
2.5–10, respectively; as expected, those particles were not identified in PM
2.5 and PM
2.5–10 of the reference (non-smoking) site. The results showed that at both sites PM was also influenced by outdoor sources. For PM
2.5–10, outdoor particles essentially originated from natural sources accounting for 35% and 15% at the smoking and reference sites, respectively. For PM
2.5, outdoor particles account for 38% and 29% at the smoking and reference sites, respectively; these particles showed considerable contribution (13% and 17%) from anthropogenic sources (mainly from traffic emissions). In general SEM–EDS showed to be a useful technique to complement characterisation of PM
2.5 and PM
2.5–10, and to identify the respective emission sources.
► Tobacco smoke influenced levels and characteristics of fine and coarse particles. ► Compositions of both PM were significantly different, tobacco smoke contributed mainly to PM
2.5. ► Indoor particles were also influenced by materials and age of buildings, and by outdoor sources. ► The general conclusions obtained by PIXE and SEM-EDS were consistent.