Sources of PM10 and PM2.5 in Cairo's ambient air

A source attribution study was performed to assess the contributions of specific pollutant source types to the observed particulate matter (PM) levels in the greater Cairo Area using the chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model. Three intensive ambient monitoring studies were carried out during the period of February 21-March 3, 1999, October 27-November 27, 1999, and June 8-June 26, 2002. PM10, PM2.5, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured on a 24-h basis at six sampling stations during each of the intensive periods. The six intensive measurement sites represented background levels, mobile source impacts, industrial impacts, and residential exposure. Major contributors to PM10 included geological material, mobile source emissions, and open burning. PM2.5 tended to be dominated by mobile source emissions, open burning, and secondary species. This paper presents the results of the PM10 and PM2.5, source contribution estimates.