AFSZ Air Sampling Activities

PUBLICATION

Associations of PM2.5 and black carbon concentrations with traffic, idling, background pollution, and meteorology during school dismissals
J. Richmond-Bryant, C. Saganich, L. Bukiewicz, R. Kalin
Science of the Total Environment, 407 (2009) 3357–3364 (Journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/scitotenv)

AIR SAMPLING in SCHOOL YEARS 2008-09

With funding from the Manhattan Community Board 3 and Con Edison, AFSZ investigators are taking measurements of PM2.5 and elemental carbon levels at ten local sites over four seasons. The project will entail development of a network of samplers to elucidate the spatial distribution of “hot spots”, times when pollutant concentration levels are highest, and chemical composition of those pollutants. Knowledge of these properties will assist in understanding risk factors within the neighborhood.

Spatial network development: Ten sampling locations (proposed 4 NYCHA, 6 DOE sites are shown with stars on Figure 1) will be chosen throughout CB3 to determine locations with significantly elevated concentrations as a function of the East 14th Street Con Ed plant and various sources of traffic. Filter samples will be deployed at each of these locations to determine concentrations of PM2.5 and its chemical constituents (elemental and organic carbon, trace metals) for source apportionment. Additionally, low cost ozone badges will be deployed during the day to determine locations of elevated ozone concentration.
Determination of “high risk” times-of-day: Real-time PM2.5, ultrafine PM, black carbon, and ozone monitors will be paired with the filter samplers at select locations to determine which times of day have highest exposure risks and variability among these peak times across the various sites. Real-time monitors will be collocated with integrated monitors for quality assurance purposes.
Evaluation of chemical constituents and source apportionment: PM2.5 filter samples will be analyzed for elemental and organic carbon and trace metals to determine spatial distribution of contaminants and potential contribution from the power plant.

The 10 sites are:

PS 20 Anna Silver, 166 Essex St
PS 34 Franklin D Roosevelt, 730 E 12th St
PS 110 Florence Nightingale, 285 Delancey
PS 124 Yung Wing, 40 Division St
PS 184 Shuang Wen, 327 Cherry St
PS 188 Island School, 442 E Houston
St. Emeric’s Church, 185 Ave. D
Campos Plaza Community Center, 611 East 13th St
Private Home, 4th floor, East 10th St
AFSZ office, 131 Avenue B

Equipment Used in CB3 Air Sampling

SKC Air sampling pump and impactor (PM 2.5)	TSI SidePak AM-510 (PM2.5)	Magee Scientific Aethelometer, Berkeley, CA (elemental carbon)

AIR SAMPLING in SCHOOL YEARS 2006-07 and 2007-08

In partnership with the NYC Department of Transportation, AFSZ measured PM2.5 and elemental carbon at three school sites over two years, pre- and post-intervention (AFSZ core program).

East 104th St., 5th/Madison Avenue (East Harlem) NYC, NY (November 2006)
Playground East 120th St./FDR (East Harlem) NYC, NY (March 2007)
East 156th St., Concourse Village East/West (Mott Haven) Bronx, NY (June 2007)
800 Bushwick Ave., Kosciusko Street (Bushwick) Brooklyn, NY (Sept 2007)

Equipment Used in NYC DOT Air Sampling

TSI SidePak AM-510 (PM2.5)	Magee Scientific Aethelometer, Berkeley, CA (elemental carbon)

AFSZ Air Sampling Activities

AIR SAMPLING in SCHOOL YEARS 2008-09

Equipment Used in CB3 Air Sampling

AIR SAMPLING in SCHOOL YEARS 2006-07 and 2007-08

Equipment Used in NYC DOT Air Sampling