@article{1427d14275bd441182d5a29f91e7a97e,
title = "Particulate matter concentration and composition in the New York City subway system",
abstract = "In this study we investigated the concentration and composition of particulate matter (PM2.5) in the New York City subway system. Realtime measurements, at a 1-s cadence, and gravimetric measurements were performed inside train cars along 300 km of nine subway lines, as well as on 333 platforms on 287 subway stations. The mean (±SD) PM2.5 concentration on the underground platforms was 142 ± 69 μg/m3 versus 29 ± 20 μg/m3 for aboveground stations. The average concentrations inside train cars were 88 ± 14 μg/m3 when traveling through underground tunnels and platforms and 29 ± 31 μg/m3 while on aboveground tracks. The particle composition analysis of filtered samples was done using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), revealing that iron made up approximately 43% of the total PM2.5 mass on station platforms, approximately 126 times higher than the outdoor ambient iron concentration. Other trace elements include silicon, sulfur, copper, nickel, aluminum, calcium, barium, and manganese. Considering the very high iron content, the comparative analysis of the measured concentration versus the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is not appropriate since those limits are largely based on particulate matter from fossil fuel combustion. Health impact analysis of inhalation of iron-based particles is needed to contextualize the results presented here.",
keywords = "Air pollution, Exposure, Particulate matter, PM2.5, Subway",
author = "Shams Azad and Luglio, {David G.} and Terry Gordon and George Thurston and Masoud Ghandehari",
note = "Funding Information: The study is funded by the C2SMART Center, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's University Transportation Centers Program under Grant Number 69A3551747124. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof. This research was supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Training grant (NIEHS T32 ES007324), NIEHS Center grant (P30 ES000260) and a pilot grant to David Luglio from Mt. Sinai's CDC/NIOSH ERC grant (T42 OH008422). Authors also acknowledge Diedre Brown, Tu Lan, Antonio Saporito, Samuel Odebamowo, Enola Ma, Yu Huang, Harsh Vikram Kheria, Megan Kawada, Ricardo Sheler, Gabriela Gutierrez for their active participation collecting field data. Participation of Jenni A. Shearston during the training session and dry run is greatly appreciated. Discussions with John Adragna was of critical value and is greatly acknowledged. Funding Information: The study is funded by the C2SMART Center, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's University Transportation Centers Program under Grant Number 69A3551747124 . The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof. This research was supported by National Institutes of Health ( NIH )-funded Training grant ( NIEHS T32 ES007324 ), NIEHS Center grant ( P30 ES000260 ) and a pilot grant to David Luglio from Mt. Sinai's CDC / NIOSH ERC grant ( T42 OH008422 ). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control",
year = "2023",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1016/j.apr.2023.101767",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "14",
journal = "Atmospheric Pollution Research",
issn = "1309-1042",
publisher = "Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research (TUNCAP)",
number = "6",
}