Particulate Matter Concentration from Construction Sites: Concrete and Masonry Works

Abstract

This study aims to determine the concentration of particulate matter (PM) produced from construction sites focusing on concrete and masonry works in terms of the fractions of total suspended particles (TSP) and Particulate Matter 10 μm (PM10) and their chemical elements. The experimental study was conducted at five building construction sites over a period of 11 work days for 8 h each day, and on one day when the sites were inoperative (on Sunday). Portable air samplers were used to collect the particulate matter, sticky pads were used to collect settleable dust, and a portable meteorological station was used to determine the meteorological variables. The variation of the average for TSP fraction for 8 h was between 108 and 483 μg/m3, and for PM10 fraction for 8 h was between 46 and 214 μg/m3. This study contributes to a better understanding of the behavior and composition of PM at construction sites in that particular phase of construction activity, the meteorological variables and the construction activities that most influence its concentration, and the factors that interfere with the results of the collection. This paper provides a valuable knowledge for various real situations and provides a basis for improving the methodology of collecting PM on construction sites.