Source apportionment of toxic air pollutants and particulate matter in Hong Kong

Abstract

Air pollution in Hong Kong arouses serious concern to the public recently. Toxic air pollutants (TAPs) such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyl compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5) are considered to be the most serious air pollution problems in Hong Kong. Air pollutants in the gaseous and particulate phases have been determined by most studies in Hong Kong, but their sources have not yet been quantified. This study determined the seasonal variations of each selected organic pollutants (VOCs, carbonyl compounds and PAHs) and to identify the common sources of the roadside selected gaseous and particulate phase of TAPs by using multivariate techniques (Principles component analysis, PCA and Hierarchical cluster analysis, HCA). Also the chemical compositions (elements, ions, organic carbon and elemental carbon) of fine particulate in Hong Kong were characterized in order to develop full chemical profiles for the sources in Hong Kong. All these substances will be measured at various exposure sites for selected periods during each season of the year. The receptor models provide a mean to attribute measured concentrations to their sources when the abundances of toxic substances and other marker materials are measured at both source and receptor. The knowledge bases of PM10 and PM2.5 characteristics, behavior, chemical profile and sources are increased, so that regulatory agencies can develop standards and strategies that control air quality in Hong Kong.