| Abstrakt: |
A concrete block plant located in Bladensburg, Maryland, wants to expand to include a concrete batching plant on the same property. This expansion could further degrade air quality and impact the health of vulnerable residents. The purpose of this study is to provide information on particulate matter (PM2.5) levels near residential areas close to commuter traffic and industrial activity associated with the concrete plant. Air quality monitoring was conducted in Bladensburg at five sites: (1) Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church, (2) Bladensburg Waterfront Park, (3) Confluence area, (4) Bladensburg Elementary School, and (5) Hillcrest Apartment Complex using the AirBeam, a real-time sensor that can measure PM2.5 levels. Sampling was conducted in 30-minute intervals to capture morning on-peak, afternoon off-peak, and evening on-peak periods. Traffic counts were also conducted at the abovementioned sites to evaluate vehicular activity. Mean PM2.5 levels at the church (26.13 μg/m3), Waterfront Park (7.52 μg/m3), Confluence area (7.44 μg/m3) and Bladensburg Elementary School (5.92 μg/m3) were higher, compared with Hillcrest Apartments (5.36 μg/m3) during weekdays. On weekends, the mean PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 6.33 to 21.49 μg/m3. Also, the average PM2.5 levels at the church on Thursday (June 7, 2018) were 27.44, 20.67, and 11.73 μg/m3 during the morning, afternoon, and evening monitoring periods. Our results revealed spatial and temporal variations of PM2.5 levels across the sites. We observed higher mean PM2.5 levels in the morning compared with afternoon and evening. There were higher PM2.5 levels at locations closer to the concrete block plant and heavily trafficked roadways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
