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Research on air quality issues in recently refurbished educational buildings is relatively limited. However, it is an important topic as students are often exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants, especially in urban environments. This study presents the results of a 25-day experimental campaign that took place in a primary school located in a densely built-up area, which retains a green roof system (GRS). All measurements refer to mass concentrations and chemical analysis of PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 micrometers), and they were implemented simultaneously on the GRS and within the classroom (C3) below during different periods of the year. The results demonstrated relatively low levels of PM10 in both experimental points, with the highest mean value of 72.02 μg m−3 observed outdoors during the cold period. Elemental carbon (EC) was also found be higher in the ambient environment (with a mean value of 2.78 μg m−3), while organic carbon (OC) was relatively balanced between the two monitoring sites. Moreover, sulfate was found to be the most abundant water soluble anion (2.57 μg m−3), mainly originating from ambient primary SO2 and penetrating into the classroom from windows. Additionally, the crustal origin of particles was shown in trace metals, where Al and Fe prevailed (9.55% and 8.68%, respectively, of the total PM10). Nevertheless, infiltration of outdoor particles within the classroom was found to affect indoor sources of metals. Finally, source apportionment using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model demonstrated six main factors of emissions, the most important of which were vehicles and biomass burning (30.30% contribution), along with resuspension of PM10 within the classroom from human activities (29.89% contribution). Seasonal variations seem to play a key role in the results.
Nikolaos Barmparesos; Dikaia Saraga; Sotirios Karavoltsos; Thomas Maggos; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Aikaterini Sakellari; Kyriaki Bairachtari; Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos. Chemical Composition and Source Apportionment of PM10 in a Green-Roof Primary School Building. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 8464 .
AMA StyleNikolaos Barmparesos, Dikaia Saraga, Sotirios Karavoltsos, Thomas Maggos, Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos, Aikaterini Sakellari, Kyriaki Bairachtari, Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos. Chemical Composition and Source Apportionment of PM10 in a Green-Roof Primary School Building. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (23):8464.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNikolaos Barmparesos; Dikaia Saraga; Sotirios Karavoltsos; Thomas Maggos; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Aikaterini Sakellari; Kyriaki Bairachtari; Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos. 2020. "Chemical Composition and Source Apportionment of PM10 in a Green-Roof Primary School Building." Applied Sciences 10, no. 23: 8464.
Despite the various reduction policies that have been implemented across Europe in the past few years, Particulate Matter (PM) exceedances continue to be recorded. Therefore, with the principal aim to clarify the complex association between emissions and fine particles levels, this work evaluates the impact of the anthropogenic contribution to the fine PM chemical profile. The fieldwork was conducted during March in 2008 and 2013 and covers the periods before and during the economic recession. The experimental data were analyzed in parallel with the emissions from the Flexible Emission Inventory for Greece and the Greater Athens Area (FEI-GREGAA). The differentiation of the mass closure results’ and the aerosols’ character is also discussed in combination with the calculated PM2.5-Air Quality Indexes. The peak in the PM load and the Particulate Organic Matter (POM) component was recorded in 2013, corresponding to the enhancement of the anthropogenic input. Although the monitoring location is traffic-impacted, the sector of heating, from both wood burning and fossil fuel, proved to be the driving force for the configuration of the obtained PM picture. Especially in 2013, its contribution was two times that of traffic. Finally, the low wind speed values led to the deterioration of the air quality, especially for the sensitive groups.
Styliani Pateraki; Kyriaki-Maria Fameli; Vasiliki Assimakopoulos; Kyriaki Bairachtari; Alexandros Zagkos; Theodora Stavraka; Aikaterini Bougiatioti; Thomas Maggos; Nikolaos Mihalopoulos. Differentiation of the Athens Fine PM Profile during Economic Recession (March of 2008 versus March of 2013): Impact of Changes in Anthropogenic Emissions and the Associated Health Effect. Atmosphere 2020, 11, 1121 .
AMA StyleStyliani Pateraki, Kyriaki-Maria Fameli, Vasiliki Assimakopoulos, Kyriaki Bairachtari, Alexandros Zagkos, Theodora Stavraka, Aikaterini Bougiatioti, Thomas Maggos, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos. Differentiation of the Athens Fine PM Profile during Economic Recession (March of 2008 versus March of 2013): Impact of Changes in Anthropogenic Emissions and the Associated Health Effect. Atmosphere. 2020; 11 (10):1121.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStyliani Pateraki; Kyriaki-Maria Fameli; Vasiliki Assimakopoulos; Kyriaki Bairachtari; Alexandros Zagkos; Theodora Stavraka; Aikaterini Bougiatioti; Thomas Maggos; Nikolaos Mihalopoulos. 2020. "Differentiation of the Athens Fine PM Profile during Economic Recession (March of 2008 versus March of 2013): Impact of Changes in Anthropogenic Emissions and the Associated Health Effect." Atmosphere 11, no. 10: 1121.
Fine particulate matter (PM) has significant impacts on public health. Among its various chemical components, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of particular importance since they contribute to a large extent or even enhance its toxic potency. Despite the verified importance of the fine PM pollution for the Greater Athens Area (GAA), information on its composition with respect to the hydrocarbons is extremely scarce. This study aims to uncover the occurrence of the PM2.5 and PM1-bound PAHs across the GAA investigating the impact of the sources and meteorology on the configuration of their profile and potential health risk. The fieldwork took place at three different locations during two different mesoscale wind regimes. Using the Diagnostic PAHs’ Ratio method, the sources were identified while for the quantification of the emissions from the traffic and central heating sectors, the FEI-GREGAA emission inventory was taken into consideration. The potential health risk was estimated calculating the toxic/mutagenic equivalency factors. The peaks for both the PM mass and the PAHs were attributed to the intensity of the emissions. On the other hand, the carcinogenic/mutagenic risk was mainly influenced by the varying characteristics of traffic and especially for the background atmosphere, from the arriving air masses from longer scale distances.
Styliani Pateraki; Kyriaki-Maria Fameli; Vasiliki Assimakopoulos; Aikaterini Bougiatioti; Thomas Maggos; Nikolaos Mihalopoulos. Levels, Sources and Health Risk of PM2.5 and PM1-Bound PAHs across the Greater Athens Area: The Role of the Type of Environment and the Meteorology. Atmosphere 2019, 10, 622 .
AMA StyleStyliani Pateraki, Kyriaki-Maria Fameli, Vasiliki Assimakopoulos, Aikaterini Bougiatioti, Thomas Maggos, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos. Levels, Sources and Health Risk of PM2.5 and PM1-Bound PAHs across the Greater Athens Area: The Role of the Type of Environment and the Meteorology. Atmosphere. 2019; 10 (10):622.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStyliani Pateraki; Kyriaki-Maria Fameli; Vasiliki Assimakopoulos; Aikaterini Bougiatioti; Thomas Maggos; Nikolaos Mihalopoulos. 2019. "Levels, Sources and Health Risk of PM2.5 and PM1-Bound PAHs across the Greater Athens Area: The Role of the Type of Environment and the Meteorology." Atmosphere 10, no. 10: 622.
The authors would like to correct the published article [1] concerning acknowledgments as follows
Nikolaos Barmparesos; Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Nikolaos Loumos; Maria Aliki Sotiriou; Athanasios Koukoumtzis. Correction: Barmparesos et al. Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions in a Primary School with a Green Roof System. Atmosphere, 2018, 9, 75. Atmosphere 2018, 9, 417 .
AMA StyleNikolaos Barmparesos, Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos, Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos, Nikolaos Loumos, Maria Aliki Sotiriou, Athanasios Koukoumtzis. Correction: Barmparesos et al. Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions in a Primary School with a Green Roof System. Atmosphere, 2018, 9, 75. Atmosphere. 2018; 9 (11):417.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNikolaos Barmparesos; Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Nikolaos Loumos; Maria Aliki Sotiriou; Athanasios Koukoumtzis. 2018. "Correction: Barmparesos et al. Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions in a Primary School with a Green Roof System. Atmosphere, 2018, 9, 75." Atmosphere 9, no. 11: 417.
An integrated indoor-outdoor 15-day PM sampling campaign in a general area close to the centre of Athens, targeted to examine personal exposure. All microenvironments (MEs) (second and fourth floor flats, cafes, cars, restaurants, underground metro, outdoor etc.) frequented by the residents were included in the study. The instrumentation used was both stationary (low volume samplers) and portable/wearable to be able to measure continuously PM, PM, PM and analyze chemically PM and PM samples. The study showed that the residences' air quality was determined by the type and intensity of outdoor sources and their vertical distance from the street. Indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning further increased PM levels and formulated the air quality, while particulate accumulation was evident. In general, PM concentrations were higher outdoors, 11-43 μg/m, than in the second floor flat as well as on days within different MEs, 13-33 μg/m and 8-35 μg/m, respectively and finally in the fourth floor 10-18 μg/m. PM chemical composition was typical of a Mediterranean urban area predominantly composed on average of OC/EC (33%), sulfate (13%), ammonium (9%), nitrate (5%) and crustal material (Cl-, Na, K, Mg and Ca) (5%). On days when other MEs were visited crustal material increased on average to 16%. The PM levels measured with the portable instrumentation at all mEs showed that the persons were exposed to higher PM concentrations in the subway (avg. 218 μg/m) due to the resuspension of crustal material, while maximum PM and PM were experienced in cafes where smoking was allowed (avg. 126 and 108 μg/m, respectively). Using the car resulted to the lowest PM, PM and PM exposure (58, 10 and 6 μg/m, respectively). Total exposure to particulates depended both on the time spent in each ME and on the mixture of MEs visited in 24 h.
V.D. Assimakopoulos; T. Bekiari; S. Pateraki; Thomas Maggos; P. Stamatis; P. Nicolopoulou; M.N. Assimakopoulos. Assessing personal exposure to PM using data from an integrated indoor-outdoor experiment in Athens-Greece. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 636, 1303 -1320.
AMA StyleV.D. Assimakopoulos, T. Bekiari, S. Pateraki, Thomas Maggos, P. Stamatis, P. Nicolopoulou, M.N. Assimakopoulos. Assessing personal exposure to PM using data from an integrated indoor-outdoor experiment in Athens-Greece. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 636 ():1303-1320.
Chicago/Turabian StyleV.D. Assimakopoulos; T. Bekiari; S. Pateraki; Thomas Maggos; P. Stamatis; P. Nicolopoulou; M.N. Assimakopoulos. 2018. "Assessing personal exposure to PM using data from an integrated indoor-outdoor experiment in Athens-Greece." Science of The Total Environment 636, no. : 1303-1320.
This paper presents experimental results from a typical school building in Athens, equipped partly with a green roof system (GRS). Environmental monitoring took place in six classrooms located both under the concrete roof and the GRS sectors as well as in the immediate external environment during the warm and cold periods of a school year. Daily measurements of pollutants CO2, TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compound), PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were performed in selected classes. Moreover, indoor ambient temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) measurements were implemented in order to estimate the absolute humidity (AH) and assess the indoor environmental conditions. The results highlight that during summer, the GRS reduces temperature in a classroom on the top floor by about 2.8 °C, in comparison with the respective classroom under the concrete roof and that AH remained relatively stable for both classrooms. Amid winter, a reverse behavior occurs only for temperature. Moreover, air exchange rates (AER) were calculated by using the CO2 decay method for all of the classrooms. The results demonstrated insufficient ventilation for all experimental sights. Finally, concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, were found to be relatively decreased, with average values of 0.79, 3.39, and 27.80 μg m−3. Levels of CO2 and TVOCs were elevated during class hours ranging from 469 to 779 ppm and from 6.63 ppm to 13.33 ppm, respectively, but generally within the respective limits of exposure. The examination of the indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio of air pollutants, demonstrated that the outdoor meteorology affects only PM1 and PM2.5, as PM10 and TVOCs are strongly affected by internal sources and the activities of pupils.
Nikolaos Barmparesos; Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Nikolaos Loumos; Maria Aliki Sotiriou; Athanasios Koukoumtzis. Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions in a Primary School with a Green Roof System. Atmosphere 2018, 9, 75 .
AMA StyleNikolaos Barmparesos, Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos, Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos, Nikolaos Loumos, Maria Aliki Sotiriou, Athanasios Koukoumtzis. Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions in a Primary School with a Green Roof System. Atmosphere. 2018; 9 (2):75.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNikolaos Barmparesos; Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Nikolaos Loumos; Maria Aliki Sotiriou; Athanasios Koukoumtzis. 2018. "Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions in a Primary School with a Green Roof System." Atmosphere 9, no. 2: 75.
Biogenic emissions affect the urban air quality as they are ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursors and should be taken into account when applying photochemical pollution models. The present study presents an estimation of the magnitude of non-methane volatile organic compounds (BNMVOCs) emitted by vegetation over Greece. The methodology is based on computation developed with the aid of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and theoretical equations in order to produce an emission inventory on a 6 × 6 km2 spatial resolution, in a temporal resolution of 1 h covering one year (2016). For this purpose, a variety of input data was used: updated satellite land-use data, land-use specific emission potentials, foliar biomass densities, temperature, and solar radiation data. Hourly, daily, and annual isoprene, monoterpenes, and other volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) were estimated. In the area under study, the annual biogenic emissions were estimated up to 472 kt, consisting of 46.6% isoprene, 28% monoterpenes, and 25.4% OVOCs. Results delineate an annual cycle with increasing values from March to April, while maximum emissions were observed from May to September, followed by a decrease from October to January.
Ermioni Dimitropoulou; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Kyriaki M. Fameli; Helena A. Flocas; Panagiotis Kosmopoulos; Stelios Kazadzis; Kostas Lagouvardos; Elizabeth Bossioli. Estimating the Biogenic Non-Methane Hydrocarbon Emissions over Greece. Atmosphere 2018, 9, 14 .
AMA StyleErmioni Dimitropoulou, Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos, Kyriaki M. Fameli, Helena A. Flocas, Panagiotis Kosmopoulos, Stelios Kazadzis, Kostas Lagouvardos, Elizabeth Bossioli. Estimating the Biogenic Non-Methane Hydrocarbon Emissions over Greece. Atmosphere. 2018; 9 (1):14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErmioni Dimitropoulou; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Kyriaki M. Fameli; Helena A. Flocas; Panagiotis Kosmopoulos; Stelios Kazadzis; Kostas Lagouvardos; Elizabeth Bossioli. 2018. "Estimating the Biogenic Non-Methane Hydrocarbon Emissions over Greece." Atmosphere 9, no. 1: 14.
A study of indoor environmental quality inside the old (naturally ventilated) and new (air-conditioned) train cabins and platforms of four main stations of the Athens subway system (Attiko Metro), took place in different two-day measurements from June to August 2012. Portable instrumentation provided continuous measurements of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1), carbon dioxide (CO2) along with temperature (T) and absolute humidity (AH). PM concentrations were significantly higher on the underground platforms of the network from 3 to 10 times, as compared to outdoor measurements. In particular, mean PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at the deeper and most crowded station of Syntagma reached 18.7, 88.1 and 320.8 μg m−3 respectively. On the contrary, the ground level, open station of the Airport, showed values comparable to the outdoor (2, 6.4 and 34.4 μg m−3, respectively). All PM fractions were lower than the platforms inside the old and new train cabins while the air conditioned trains experienced lower particulate pollution levels. More specifically, mean PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 5.5, 16.8 and 58.3 μg m−3, respectively in new cabins while in the old they reached 10.3, 47.5 and 238.8 μg m−3. The PM2.5/PM10 and PM1/PM2.5 ratios did not exceed 0.33 on both platforms and trains verifying the dominance of crustal coarse particles originating from the train and ground materials. As expected CO2 levels were higher inside the trains as compared to the platforms and in some cases surpassed the 1000 ppm limit during the hottest days of the experimental campaign. Temperature and humidity remained relatively stable on the platforms, whereas measurements inside the cabins fluctuated, depending on the type of train and track locations. Correlations between measured PM along the routes to and from the Airport indicated covariance of concentrations along train cabins of the same direction
Nikolaos Barmparesos; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos; Evangelia Tsairidi. Particulate matter levels and comfort conditions in the trains and platforms of the Athens underground metro. AIMS Environmental Science 2016, 3, 199 -219.
AMA StyleNikolaos Barmparesos, Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos, Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos, Evangelia Tsairidi. Particulate matter levels and comfort conditions in the trains and platforms of the Athens underground metro. AIMS Environmental Science. 2016; 3 (2):199-219.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNikolaos Barmparesos; Vasiliki D. Assimakopoulos; Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos; Evangelia Tsairidi. 2016. "Particulate matter levels and comfort conditions in the trains and platforms of the Athens underground metro." AIMS Environmental Science 3, no. 2: 199-219.