Ambient TSP and PM10 concentrations in public parks of Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the concentration of ambient TSP and PM10 at aerobic exercise sites in public parks of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand. TSP and PM10 samples were collected during the rainy season, from September 2009 to October 2009 and during the winter season, from January 2010 to February 2010 using high volume air samplers. The samples were collected from five sites in four public parks: Lumphini (two sampling sites), Suan Luang Rama 9, Benchasiri, and Saranrom. The results showed that all 162 samples of 24-hour average TSP and PM10 concentrations were lower than Thailand’s ambient air quality standards. Concentration levels of TSP at Lumphini 1, Lumphini 2, Suan Luang Rama 9, Benchasiri, and Saranrom in the rainy season varied from 34.1–55.6, 26.6–42.9, 33.7–78.2, 42.0–83.6, and 43.9–73.7 μg/m3 respectively, and in the winter season from81.8–124.2, 75.2– 118.9, 36.9–113.0, 47.6–125.0, and 56.4–139.9 μg/m3 respectively. Levels of PM10 in the rainy season varied from 17.5–28.1, 10.4–20.5, 23.4–55.2, 22.2–49.0, and 31.0–60.0 μg/m3 respectively, and in the winter season from 51.1–82.7, 42.0–71.2, 20.8–74.9, 27.3–90.6, and 37.0–110.2 μg/m3 respectively. Furthermore, there was a statistical significant correlation between TSP and PM10 concentrations at four of the five sampling sites during both the rainy and winter seasons (p < 0.05), except for at Saranrom which showed no statistical significant correlation during the rainy season. In addition, levels of particulate matter at the two Lumphini sites in the winter season were significantly higher than in the rainy season; whereas at the other three parks, levels of particulate matter were not statistically significantly different between