Carbonaceous Aerosol Characteristics in Outdoor and Indoor Environments of Nanchang, China, during Summer 2009

ABSTRACT A study of carbonaceous aerosol was initiated in Nanchang, a city in eastern China, for the first time. Daily and diurnal (daytime and nighttime) PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) samples were collected at an outdoor site and in three different indoor environments (common office, special printing and copying office, and student dormitory) in a campus of Nanchang University during summer 2009 (5–20 June). Daily PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm) samples were collected only at the outdoor site, whereas PM2.5 samples were collected at both indoor and outdoor sites. Loaded PM2.5 and PM10 samples were analyzed for organic and elemental carbon (OC, EC) by thermal/optical reflectance following the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments—Advanced (IMPROVE-A) protocol. Ambient mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in Nanchang were compared with the air quality standards in China and the United States, and revealed high air pollution levels...