Ambient TSP and PM10 Concentrations in Public Parks of Bangkok, Thailand Abstract the Objective of This Research Is to Study

24 Tantadprasert A. et al. / Research Article:24-30 Ambient TSP and PM10 concentrations in Public Parks of Bangkok, Thailand Annop Tantadprasert1, Winai Nutmagul1*, Usanee Uyasatian1, Decha Pimpisut2, and Luepol Punnakanta1 1Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Nakorn pathom, 73170, Thailand 2Bureau of Water Technology and Industrial Pollution Management, Department of Industrial Works, Thailand Abstract The objective of this research is to study the concentration of ambient TSP and PM10 at aerobic exercise sites in public parks of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand. TSP and PM10 samples were collected during the rainy season, from September 2009 to October 2009 and during the winter season, from January 2010 to February 2010 using high volume air samplers. The samples were collected from five sites in four public parks: Lumphini (two sampling sites), Suan Luang Rama 9, Benchasiri, and Saranrom. The results showed that all 162 samples of 24-hour average TSP and PM10 concentrations were lower than Thailand’s ambient air quality standards. Concentration levels of TSP at Lumphini 1, Lumphini 2, Suan Luang Rama 9, Benchasiri, and Saranrom in the rainy season varied from 34.1–55.6, 26.6–42.9, 33.7–78.2, 42.0–83.6, and 43.9–73.7 µg/m3 respectively, and in the winter season from81.8–124.2, 75.2– 3 118.9, 36.9–113.0, 47.6–125.0, and 56.4–139.9 µg/m respectively. Levels of PM10 in the rainy season varied from 17.5–28.1, 10.4–20.5, 23.4–55.2, 22.2–49.0, and 31.0–60.0 µg/m3 respectively, and in the winter season from 51.1–82.7, 42.0–71.2, 20.8–74.9, 27.3–90.6, and 37.0–110.2 µg/m3 respectively. Furthermore, there was a statistical significant correlation between TSP and PM10 concentrations at four of the five sampling sites during both the rainy and winter seasons (p < 0.05), except for at Saranrom which showed no statistical significant correlation during the rainy season. In addition, levels of particulate matter at the two Lumphini sites in the winter season were significantly higher than in the rainy season; whereas at the other three parks, levels of particulate matter were not statistically significantly different between Key words: Particulate matter/ PM10/ TSP/ Public Park 1. Introduction than 10 microns (PM10) can enter and deposit deeper in the respiratory system, Air pollution problem experience in thereby causing a chronic bronchitis, urban area is mainly due to emissions emphysema and other lung diseases from a large number of motor vehicles. (Herman and Bisesi, 2003). Therefore, One of the major air pollutants that cause human health effect is associated mainly harm to human health is particulate matter with small particles. The Pollution (Schwela and Zali, 1999). Large size Control Department (PCD) has been particles (larger than 10 microns) can be monitoring air quality in Bangkok since easily removed by defense mechanisms of 1995. The results showed that annual human respiratory system. It causes a average of PM10 at roadsides during 1995- nuisance, reduce visibility and damage to 2008 were all exceeded the annual materials (Godish, 1997). Whereas small average of PM10 ambient air standard particles such as particulate matter less whereas about half of the results in Corresponding author Email: [email protected] Environment and Natural Resources J. Vol 9, No.1, April 2011:24-30 25 general areas exceeded the ambient air another one at the center of the park). standard (Air Quality and Noise Moreover, all sampling sites are selected Management Bureau, 2009). to be nearby aerobic exercise site of each Bangkok Metropolitan Region has representative Public Park. provided Public Park to improve the quality of urban life, e.g. supporting and 2.2 Collection of air samples for promoting healthy lifestyles, increasing determination of TSP and PM10 greenery, reducing air and noise pollution, etc. The public park also provides open TSP and PM10 samplings were and green spaces for recreation and visual collected during two seasons, i.e. rainy assets to communities. Public Park should season (September-October 2009) and have good air quality, e.g. particulate winter season (January-February 2010). matter should not exceed the ambient air The samplings duration is 24 hours and quality standards. However, there is a sampling every other day for 2 weeks possibility that people exercising in urban period at each sampling site. Each area may be at risk because of exposure to sampling site was equipped with 2 high automotive pollution (Sharman, 2005). volume air samplers, i.e. one for TSP and High concentration levels of TSP and another one for PM10. To assure the PM10 can cause health effect on people quality of TSP and PM10 measurement, especially during exercises. Most of the the methodology for sampling and previous studies have measured analysis were based on Reference method particulate matter mainly on the roadside of 40 CFR 50, Appendix B and J (U.S. or general area. There is no data available Environmental Protection Agency, 2009). on air quality in any of Public Parks in Both TSP and PM10 samples were Thailand. Therefore, this study intends to collected on 20.3 x 25.4 cm Whatman study TSP and PM10 concentration levels glass fiber filters. The flow rate of air from 4 Public Parks in Bangkok, i.e. Suan sampler was re-calibrated whenever Luang Rama 9 Park, Lumphini Park, sampling site was change and flow rate Benchasiri Park and Saranrom Park. was set at 1.13 ± 0.11 m3/min. Each filter was equilibrated in desiccator for at least 2. Materials and Methods 24 hours before weigh a filter and determined gravimetrically using an 2.1 Study site analytical balance with a sensitivity of 0.1 mg. Powder-free vinyl gloves were used Public Park in Bangkok can be for filter handling. Re-spray the shim classified to seven categories (Public Park plate in PM10 sampler with a Dow Office, 2009). This research chose only Corning Silicone #316. Blank samples four categories according to their were also used to determine the actual popularity as follows: City Park, District weight of field samples. Park, Community Park and Neighborhood Park. It is decided to choose one 2.3 Interlaboratory Comparison representative Public Park that is most often used in each category. These are In order to demonstrate that the Suan Luang Rama 9, Lumphini, results from this study are compatible Benchasiri and Saranrom, respectively. with those from Pollution Control One sampling sites is selected for each Department (PCD), which is a representative Public Park except government agency that responsible for Lumphini Park which two sampling sites monitoring the ambient air quality in are selected (one at the park edge and Thailand. Two PM10 high-volume air 26 Tantadprasert A. et al. / Research Article:24-30 samplers (one from this study and another sampling sites of 4 public parks in term of one from PCD) were compared at the air quality, it appeared that at sampling same sampling site simultaneously. site Lumphini1, which located near heavy Sampling location was selected from traffic road, had highest means of 24-hour temporary air quality monitoring station average TSP and PM10 concentration of PCD at Land Development Department levels. This is in agreement with the site which is located on Phahonyothin studied of Chan and Kwok (2001) which road with a relatively heavy traffic. The also found high concentration levels of comparing sampling duration was 24-hour particulate matter in the heavy traffic area average for one week. during winter season. Moreover, there are 2 monitoring sites at Lumphini Park, i.e. 3. Results and Discussion Lumphini1 and Lumphini2 which are far away from Rama 4 and Rajadamri roads 3.1 Concentrations of TSP and PM10 at 5 at approximately 150 and 300 m, sampling sites respectively. All of the overall mean 24- hour average TSP and PM10 The overall 24-hour average concentrations for both rainy and winter concentrations of TSP varied from 26.6 to seasons at Lumphini1 were higher than 139.9 µg/m3 (n=81). Whereas those of those of Lumphini2. It appears that 3 PM10 varied from 10.4 to 110.2 µg/m automobile is a major source of (n=81) (Table 1). The results showed that particulate matter in Bangkok. Because all measured TSP and PM10 concentration the particulate matter can be removed by levels from 5 sampling sites in 4 public trees (Jim and Chen, 2008), therefore, parks did not exceed the TSP and PM10 levels of TSP and PM10 at Lumphini2 site (24-hour average) ambient air quality that is at the center of the park were lower standards. Therefore, the results indicated than those at Lumphini1 site that locates that air quality of Public Parks in near the road. This result coincides with Bangkok area are still good and safe for other studies, e.g. Lam et al. (2005) those who come to visit or exercise. In founded that PM10 levels on the park edge addition, the comparison among the 5 were higher than those in the park center. Table 1 Range and mean ± SD of 24-hour average TSP and PM10 concentrations on each sampling site Rainy Winter Sampling site PM Range Mean ± SD Range Mean ± SD (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) Lumphini1 TSP 34.1-55.6 44.1±7.8 81.8-124.2 102.6±16.6 PM10 17.5-28.1 23.0±4.5 51.1-82.7 67.8±13.0 Lumphini2 TSP 26.6-42.9 35.2±6.4 75.2-118.9 97.6±17.1 PM10 10.4-20.5 14.8±4.2 42.0-71.2 57.4±11.4 Suan Luang TSP 33.7-78.2 60.5±16.1 36.9-113.0 64.0±24.4 Rama 9 PM10 23.4-55.2 41.9±11.6 20.8-74.9 39.9±16.0 Benchasiri TSP 42.0-83.6 62.0±14.2 47.6-125.0 76.1±27.0 PM10 22.2-49.0 35.9±10.0 27.3-90.6 50.4±19.7 Saranrom TSP 43.9-73.7 61.3±10.7 56.4-139.9 76.1±27.4 PM10 31.0-60.0 41.4±9.5 37.0-110.2 54.2±25.4 Environment and Natural Resources J.

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