Characterization and indentification of air pollution sources in Metro Manila

Air particulates matter (PM10 and PM2.5) is a mixture of different pollutant sources which can be of anthropogenic and/or natural origin. Identification and apportionment of pollutant sources is important to be able to have better understanding of prevailing conditions in the area and thus better air quality management can be applied. Results have shown that in all the sampling sites, a major fraction of pollutant sources come from vehicular or traffic-oriented sources, comprising more than 30% of PM2.5. Of particular great concern especially in the residents of the area are the high Pb levels in Valenzuela City. In 2005, the annual mean level of PM10 Pb in Valenzuela was 0.267 μg/m3 while the other PNRI sampling sites registered annual mean levels between 0033 to 0.085 μ/m3. The high Pb condition is reflected in the source apportionment studies with Pb sources showing up in both the coarse (PM10-2.5) and the fine fractions (PM2.5). The CPF analysis plots of 2008 Pb levels in both the coarse and the fine fractions show patterns for probable sources in 2008. Further study of the location of battery recycling facilities and other possible sources of lead is needed to validate the results of the CPF determination. (author)