Investigation on the Concentration of Suspended Particulate Matters in Tehran Underground Subway Stations and Compare it with Ambient Concentrations

Subject Areas : Air Pollution

Ameneh Bolourchi ¹ , Farideh Atabi ² , Faramarz Moattar ³ , Mehdi Ali Ehyaei ⁴

1 - Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Associate Prof., Department of Environmental Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran *(Corresponding Author)
3 - Prof., Department of Environmental Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 - Associate Prof., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pardis Branch, Islamic Azad University, Pardis New City, Iran

Received: 2017-08-03 Accepted : 2018-04-25 Published : 2020-08-22

Keywords: Field Measurement, PM2.5, Outdoor Ambient, PM Annual Average Concentrations, Underground Subway Station, PM10,

Abstract :

Background and Objectives: Metro lines are responsible for 20% of the total passenger traffic in Tehran. Particulate matter is one of the most important major pollutants in subway stations and increasing their concentration leads to numerous health consequences for passengers and subway employees. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 in four underground metro stations (Azadi, Enghelab, Tohid and Vali Asr) and compare them with the concentration of these particles in the open air. Research Method:Seasonal sampling (April 2016 - April 2017) of particulate matters was conducted in the middle months of all four seasons for one week in the middle months of each season at peak traffic times from 8 am to 12 am, at three locations (entrance, middle, and exit in each station) and also at outside ambient of each station. The results were then compared with the relevant standards. Results and Discussions: The main sources of suspended particulate matter in the underground subway stations were due to passenger traffic, train piston pressure, floor cleaning, maintenance operations, wheel-rail wear and braking and the performance of ventilation system in the subway station. The results of the monitoring measurements in this study showed that the annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in the four underground subway stations were 68 µg/m3 and 47 µg/m3 and in the outdoor ambient around these stations were 42 and 29 µg/m3, respectively.   Conclusions: The results of this study showed that in the four underground subway stations, the annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were 1.5 - 1.7 times higher than those in the outdoor ambient, respectively.

References:

1. Abbaspour, M., Jafari, M. J., Mansouri, N., Moattar, F., Nouri, N., Allahyari, M., 2008. Thermal comfort evaluation in Tehran metro using Relative Warmth Index. Atmos Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech, Vol 5 (3), pp. 297-304. (Persian)


2. Cheng, Y.H and Yan, J.W., 2011. Comparisons of particulate matter, CO, and CO₂ levels in underground and ground level stations in the Taipei mass rapid transit system. Atmospheric Environment, Vol 45, pp. 4882-4891.                                                             


3. Fenger S., 1999. Urban air quality. Atmospheric Environment, Vol 33, pp. 4877-4900.                                                      


4. Ainsworth, B. E., Haskell, W. L., Herrmann, S. D., 2011. Compendium of physical activities: A second update of codes and MET values. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Vol 43(8), pp. 1575-1581.                                                            


5. Park, D.U. and Ha, K.C., 2008. Characteristics of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, CO₂ and CO monitored in interiors and platforms of subway train in Seoul, Korea. Environ. Int, Vol 34, pp. 629-634.                                                                          


6. Karlsson, H.L., Nilsson, L., Mo¨ller, L., 2005. Subway particles are more genotoxic than street particles and induce oxidative stress in cultured human lung cells. Chemical Research in Toxicology, Vol 18,  pp. 19–23.


7. Adams H., M. Nieuwenhuijsen, R. Colvile, M. McMullen, P. Khandelwal., 2001. “Fine particle (PM_2.5) personal exposure levels in transport microenvironments, London, UK.  The Science of the Total Environment, Vol 279, pp. 29-44.  


8. Johansson C., P.A. Johansson., 2003. Particulate matter in the underground of Stockholm. Atmospheric Environment, Vol 37, pp. 3-9.  


9. Ripanucci G., M. Grana, L. Vicentini, A. Magrini, A. Bergamaschi., 2006. Dust in the underground railway tunnels of an Italian town. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Vol 3, pp.16-25.                                                         


10. Aarnio, P., Yli-Tuomi, T., Kousa, A., Mäkelä, T., Hirsikko, A., Hämeri, K., Päisänen, M.,   Hillamo, R., Koskentalo, T. and Jantunen. M., 2005. The concentrations and composition of and exposure to fine particles (PM_2.5) in the Helsinki subway system. Atmospheric Environment,  Vol 39, pp. 5059-5066.                                                                                        


11. Salma, I., Pósfai, M., Kovács, K., Kuzmann, E., Homonnay, Z. and Posta, J., 2009. Properties and sources of individual particles and some chemical species in the aerosol of a metropolitan underground railway station. Atmospheric Environment, Vol 43, pp. 3460-3466.


12. Chang, S.C., Chou, C.C.K., Chan, C.C. and Lee, C.T., 2010. Temporal characteristics from continuous measurementsof PM_2.5 and speciation at the Taipei aerosol supersite from 2002 to 2008. Atmospheric Environment. Vol 44, pp. 1088-1096.                                                                                                                                                                         


13. Kim, K.Y. and Kim, Y.S., et al., 2008. Spatial distribution of particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) in Seoul metropolitan subway stations. Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol 154, pp. 440-443.                                                                                                                                                                                                     


14. Kam, W., Cheung, K., Daher, N. and Sioutas, C., 2010. Particulate matter (PM) concentrations in underground and ground-level rail systems of the Los Angeles metro. Atmospheric Environment, Vol 45, pp. 1506-1516.                                     


15. Bao, L., Lei, Q., Tan, M., Li, X., Zhang, G., Liu, W. and Li, Y., 2014. Study on transition metals in airborne particulate matter in Shanghai city's subway. EU PMC, Vol 35(6), pp. 2052-2059.


16. Wang, X. and Gao, H.O., 2011. Exposure to fine particle mass and number concentrations in urban transportation environments of New York city.Transp. Res. D Trans. Environ, Vol 16, pp. 384-391.


17. Tehran Metro Public Relations., 2016. Tehran and suburban metro map.                                                 http://www.tehranmetro.com. (In Persian)


18. Asmi, E., Antola, M., Yli-Tuomi, T., Jantunen, M., Aarnio, P., Mäkelä, T., Hillamo, R. and Hämeri. K., 2009. Driver and passenger exposure to aerosol particles in buses and trams in Helsinki, Finland. Sci. Total Environ, Vol 407, pp. 2860- 2867.