Particulate Air Pollution in Mexico City: A Collaborative Research Project

• Published in: Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995) Vol. 49; no. 10; pp. 1221 - 1229
• Main Authors: Edgerton, S.A., Bian, X., Doran, J.C., Fast, J.D., Hubbe, J.M., Malone, E.L., Shaw, W.J., Whiteman, C.D., Zhong, S., Arriaga, J.L., Ortiz, E., Ruiz, M., Sosa, G., Vega, E., Limon, T., Guzman, F., Archuleta, J., Bossert, J.E., Elliot, S.M., Lee, J.T., McNair, L.A., Chow, J.C., Watson, J.G., Coulter, R.L., Doskey, P.V., Gaffney, J.S., Marley, N.A., Neff, W., Petty, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pittsburgh, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01-10-1999; Air & Waste Management Association
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Meteorology; Particles and aerosols; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Central America; Mexico; America; Suspended particle; Surveillance; Content; Pollution source; Aerosols; Air pollution; Air quality; Chemical composition; Urban area; Spatial variation; Time variation
• ISSN: 1096-2247; 2162-2906
• DOI: 10.1080/10473289.1999.10463915

PM
10
, PM
25
, precursor gas, and upper-air meteorological measurements were taken in Mexico City, Mexico, from February 23 to March 22, 1997, to understand concentrations and chemical compositions of the city's particulate matter (PM). Average 24-hr PM
10
concentrations over the period of study at the core sites in the city were 75 H g/m
3
. The 24-hr standard of 150 μ g/m
3
was exceeded for seven samples taken during the study period; the maximum 24-hr concentration measured was 542 μ g/m
3
. Nearly half of the PM
10
was composed of fugitive dust from roadways, construction, and bare land. About 50% of the PM
10
consisted of PM
2.5
, with higher percentages during the morning hours. Organic and black carbon constituted up to half of the PM
2.5
. PM concentrations were highest during the early morning and after sunset, when the mixed layers were shallow. Meteorological measurements taken during the field campaign show that on most days air was transported out of the Mexico City basin during the afternoon with little day-to-day carryover.