Carbon in Particulate Matter and Total Beta Activity in the Air

Radiation Protection Unit and Environmental Hygiene Unit of the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, as part of systematic research of the environment have been conducting measurements of the total beta activity of the air (β) and the determination of the mass concentration of PM10 particulate matter fraction (aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microns) and mass carbon concentration (elemental (EC) and organic (OC) carbon) in PM10 at the location of the Institute. The total beta activity (TBA) of the air was measured using Low-level beta GM multi counter system; model RISO GM-25-5, while the mass concentrations of particulate matter were determined gravimetrically, and carbon content in them by thermal-optical transmission method. The concentrations of PM10 and EC and OC in them show a slight negative trend during the period of measurements (from beginning of 2009 till the end of 2014), while the total beta activity in the air shows a slightly positive trend. The results show that the total beta activity of the air shows good agreement with concentrations of particulate matter as well as the concentrations of OC in PM10. Concentrations of EC in the PM10 do not agree well with the total beta activity of the air, but each follows the same trend of growth and decline during the measurement period.(author).