AAAR 35th Annual Conference October 17 - October 21, 2016 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
Uncovering an Unexpected Source of Atmospheric Lead Particle Hotspots in Delhi India
ANDREW AULT, Hongru Shen, Thomas Peters, Gary Casuccio, Traci Lersch, Roger R. West, Amit Kumar, Naresh Kumar, University of Michigan
Abstract Number: 608 Working Group: Urban Aerosols
Abstract High mass concentrations of lead in particulate matter are frequently observed in the Delhi, India metropolitan area, although the sources of the lead in particles are poorly understood. In this study, particles sampled across Delhi (August – December 2008) were analyzed by computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (CCSEM-EDX) to improve our understanding of the spatial and physicochemical variability of lead-rich particles (> 90% lead). Levels exceeding 1.5 microgram/m3 of a pure lead particle type were observed in 16% of samples, while the average across the remaining 84% was 0.7 microgram/m3. Based on individual particle composition, size, and morphology our analysis indicates that informal recycling of lead-acid batteries is the likely source of the lead. This source is not included in emission inventories, and the observed hotspots could lead to dramatically different lead exposure on a neighborhood-scale in densely populated Delhi.