2.2 Sample collection

developed and developing countries. Mechanization, expansion, financial growth and connected increase of energy demands have resulted in profound deterioration of urban air quality [1, 2]. The developing countries like India have shifted their economics from manufacturing toward services that involve information technologies. Growth in information technology have amplified the quantity and extended the use of equipment used in proximity to office worker due to which electronic media used for entertainment, telecommunications and data processing have become widespread in daily life [3, 4]. Typical examples are television, audio-visual recorders, stereo systems, and CPUs with their peripherals such as monitors and printers, scanners and copiers. There is growing concern about the levels of potentially harmful pollutants that may be emitted from office and other commercial centers equipment. Office equipment has been found to be a source of ozone, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) [5]. Several studies have revealed more consistent correlation for the concentration of fine (PM2.5) and inhalable (PM10) particles with health than any other air pollutant [6, 7]. In cities, a major fraction of ultrafine aerosol particles (particle diameter, Dp <100 nm) cause adverse health effects in sensitive human beings more than larger particles due to their increased lung deposition efficiency [8]. With possible adverse health effects, the question of the chemical characterization of the fine particles released by such devices is of special importance [9]. Trace elements associated with PM2.5 and below are nonvolatile in nature; they are less vulnerable to chemical alterations and remain in the form as they were emitted, even though they tend to undergo long range atmospheric transport [2, 10, 11]. Particulate metal components can have severe carcinogenic and toxic effects on occupants when inhaled in higher concentration. Short-term differences of atmospheric metal concentration have been observed in a day-to-day or even an hour-to-hour basis [1, 12]. Epidemiological studies show that these ultrafine particles cause more adverse health effects in sensitive human beings more than larger particles due to their increased lung deposition efficiency. Therefore the reduction of particulate and associated metal pollution to some acceptable levels is an important environmental issue. The objective of this study helps in pinpointing the integrated actions essential to reduce the particulate pollutant and eliminate the toxicological environment impacts of Indian urban environment. This can enhance the capacity of national environment within the city and which can be implemented to other towns and cities of India that can benefit health, quality of life and the economy.

2. Experimental setup

Indoor Environment and Health

The city of Taj, Agra (27°10<sup>0</sup>

N, 78°02<sup>0</sup>

India, about 204 km of south of Delhi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra is one of the most famous tourist spots of the country. The city is situated on the west bank of the river Yamuna 169 m above sea level. A part of the great northern Indian plains, Agra region experience a tropical climate. In winter the temperature ranges from 3.5 to 30.5°C and during summers which are hot and dry the temperature ranging from 32 to 48°C. The downward wind is south-southeast 29% and northeast 6% of the time in summer, and it is west-northwest 9.4% and north-northwest 11.8% of the time in winter. Agra has about 1.586 million population and the population density is about 1084 persons per square km (ORG, office of the registrar New Delhi, India: Ministry of Home Affairs, 2011). In this study real time series data for mass and number of coarse and fine particles were monitored in indoor

E) is located in the central part of northern

2.1 Site description

22

A short term study was conducted from September 2011 to November 2011 to determine number and mass concentration of coarse and fine particles, i.e., PM10, PM5.0, PM2.5, PM1.0, PM0.5, and PM0.25 in indoors of commercial centers, shops and offices in of Agra city. Chemical characterization in PM5 was also carried for heavy metal detection. A total of 36 samples (i.e., 18 samples each for PM mass and

Figure 1. (A) Map of Agra city showing different sampling sites and (B) different sampling sites.


#### Table 1.

Detail description of sampling sites.

number concentration) and 36 samples for chemical characterization were collected from these sites at the same time. Grimm Aerosol Spectrometer model (1.109) (Figure 2) was selected for the monitoring of coarse and fine particles, it runs at a flow rate of 1.2 L/min 5% constant with controller for continuous measurement during the sampling period. It measures mass in (μg m<sup>3</sup> ) and number in (particles/m<sup>3</sup> ). The sampler measures particles from 0.25 to 32 μm range in 31 channel sizes, each unit is certified by National Institute of Standards and Technology, monodisperse latex on the size of channels calibrated by www. GRIMM Aerosols.c om. To improve the time resolution, the range was limited to 0.25–10 μm. The sampling equipment was housed such that it was as compact as possible and positioned indoors to cause minimal intrusion to the occupants. The instrument was generally positioned in the center of the rooms where people spent most of their time. Inlet heads were positioned as close as possible to head height. The instrument was set to average the data over 15 min to reduce the response time and to enable the identification of individual sources. The GRIMM particle measuring system is equipped with GRIMM 1174 Software for data acquisition.

After sampling the filters were thrice weighted before and after sampling using four digit (Wenser, Model No. MAB 120) with sensitivity off 2 mg and in the 220–20 mg range. Before the samples were equilibrated in desiccators at 20–30°C and relative humidity of 30–40% in humidity controlled room for 24 h. Filters cassettes were used to carry weight filter papers to the sampling sites, there filters were transferred to filter holders and placed on the sampling plates. Exposed filters along with the holders were then wrapped with aluminum foil, and taken back to the laboratory and placed in the desiccators. Field blanks were collected with exposed filters, they were latter weighted and were stored in refrigerator at 4°C to prevent the evaporation of volatile components [13]. Handy sampler Model No. 821 (Envirotech, New Delhi make) (Figure 3) was used for PM5 chemical characterization which was maintained at a flow rate of 2 L/min and YES-IAQ monitor model

Mass and Number and Its Chemical Composition Distribution of Particulate Matter in Different…

The exposed filter papers were digested in analytical grade (Merk) HNO3 and kept on hot plate at the temperature of 4–60°C for 90 min. The solution was diluted up to 50 ml with distilled deionized water and stored in polypropylene bottles at 4°C till analysis. Analysis for metals (Fe, Br, Pb, Ba, Zn, Sb, Cu, Cd, Hg) was done on AAS (AAnalyst 100, Perkin Elmer) (Figure 5) present in our departmental analytical lab. The tested suites of elements were related to specific combustion

No.206 (Figure 4) for recording the air exchange rate.

sources using Principal component analysis statistical techniques.

2.3 Chemical analysis

25

Figure 3.

Figure 2.

GRIMM aerosol spectrometer (model: 1.109).

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82801

Handy sampler APM 821.

Mass and Number and Its Chemical Composition Distribution of Particulate Matter in Different… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82801

Figure 2. GRIMM aerosol spectrometer (model: 1.109).

Figure 3. Handy sampler APM 821.

After sampling the filters were thrice weighted before and after sampling using four digit (Wenser, Model No. MAB 120) with sensitivity off 2 mg and in the 220–20 mg range. Before the samples were equilibrated in desiccators at 20–30°C and relative humidity of 30–40% in humidity controlled room for 24 h. Filters cassettes were used to carry weight filter papers to the sampling sites, there filters were transferred to filter holders and placed on the sampling plates. Exposed filters along with the holders were then wrapped with aluminum foil, and taken back to the laboratory and placed in the desiccators. Field blanks were collected with exposed filters, they were latter weighted and were stored in refrigerator at 4°C to prevent the evaporation of volatile components [13]. Handy sampler Model No. 821 (Envirotech, New Delhi make) (Figure 3) was used for PM5 chemical characterization which was maintained at a flow rate of 2 L/min and YES-IAQ monitor model No.206 (Figure 4) for recording the air exchange rate.

## 2.3 Chemical analysis

The exposed filter papers were digested in analytical grade (Merk) HNO3 and kept on hot plate at the temperature of 4–60°C for 90 min. The solution was diluted up to 50 ml with distilled deionized water and stored in polypropylene bottles at 4°C till analysis. Analysis for metals (Fe, Br, Pb, Ba, Zn, Sb, Cu, Cd, Hg) was done on AAS (AAnalyst 100, Perkin Elmer) (Figure 5) present in our departmental analytical lab. The tested suites of elements were related to specific combustion sources using Principal component analysis statistical techniques.

number concentration) and 36 samples for chemical characterization were collected from these sites at the same time. Grimm Aerosol Spectrometer model (1.109) (Figure 2) was selected for the monitoring of coarse and fine particles, it runs at a flow rate of 1.2 L/min 5% constant with controller for continuous measurement

sizes, each unit is certified by National Institute of Standards and Technology, monodisperse latex on the size of channels calibrated by www. GRIMM Aerosols.c om. To improve the time resolution, the range was limited to 0.25–10 μm. The sampling equipment was housed such that it was as compact as possible and positioned indoors to cause minimal intrusion to the occupants. The instrument was generally positioned in the center of the rooms where people spent most of their time. Inlet heads were positioned as close as possible to head height. The instrument was set to average the data over 15 min to reduce the response time and to enable the identification of individual sources. The GRIMM particle measuring system is

). The sampler measures particles from 0.25 to 32 μm range in 31 channel

) and number in (par-

during the sampling period. It measures mass in (μg m<sup>3</sup>

equipped with GRIMM 1174 Software for data acquisition.

ticles/m<sup>3</sup>

24

Table 1.

Sampling site/type

Supermarket 1 High population

Indoor Environment and Health

Supermarket 2 High population

Shop 1 Congested and

Shop 2 Congested and

Office 1 Congested and

Office 2 Congested and

Detail description of sampling sites.

area, congested, made of iron, brick and cement

area, made of iron, brick and cement

very populated area of the city, made of bricks and cement

very populated area of the city, made of bricks and cement

very populated area of the city, made of bricks and cement

very populated area of the city, made of bricks and cement

Conditions Building

age (years) Height Working area (m2 )

2 5–10 600 High traffic with no

3 5–10 550 High traffic with no

20 5 181 Heavy traffic

20 5.5 192 Heavy traffic

12 6 287 High traffic with less

40 5 250 High traffic with no

Traffic/greenery/ trees

greenery around, situated in congested commercial area

greenery around, situated in congested old market area

throughout the day with no greenery around, situated in congested commercial area

throughout the day with no greenery around, situated in congested old market area

greenery, situated in congested residential area

greenery, situated in congested commercial area

Ventilation

Air cooling system but mostly kept close

Improper ventilation system with no use of exhaust

Improper ventilation

Improper ventilation

Improper ventilation with no use of exhaust

Improper ventilation with no use of exhaust

Figure 4. Handy sampler YES-206.

Figure 5. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer, AAnalyst 100), with schematic diagram.
