Temperature Inversion and Ultrafine Particulate/Near Ultrafine Particulate Matter Concentrations in the Salt Lake Valley

Authors

  • Danielle Mecate Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
  • Rod Handy Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
  • Leon Pahler Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
  • Darrah Sleeth Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
  • Joemy Ramsay Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
  • Camie Schaefer Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47577/technium.v2i7.2263

Keywords:

emerging issues, particulate matter, environmental health, ultrafine, weather inversions

Abstract

Ultrafine particulate (UFP) matter exposures are associated with negative health outcomes. UFPs (<100nm) and near UFP (NUFP) matter (4.5nm - 250nm) are trapped by the bowl-like geography of the Salt Lake Valley causing winter inversions (i.e., trapped particulate matter (PM)). Enmont PUFP C100 and Grimm 1.109 particle counters were used to define NUFP concentrations during inversion (n=5) and non-inversion (n=5) days at 7 sites. NUFP concentrations served as a proxy for the UFP fraction. NUFP concentrations were log-transformed and multivariable mixed effects linear regression models determined if NUFP concentration differed between inversion and non-inversion or by length of inversion. Difference in fraction NUFP was also analyzed. The mean NUFP concentration was 1.49-fold higher during inversions (95% CI 1.11–2.02), whereas the fraction declined by 0.22 (95% CI -0.31– -0.13). Increased NUFP concentrations during inversions may lead to increased adverse health outcomes. These findings have serious implications for inversion-prone regions.

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Published

2021-01-05

How to Cite

Mecate, D., Handy, R., Pahler, L., Sleeth, D., Ramsay, J., & Schaefer, C. (2021). Temperature Inversion and Ultrafine Particulate/Near Ultrafine Particulate Matter Concentrations in the Salt Lake Valley. Technium: Romanian Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology, 2(7), 422–435. https://doi.org/10.47577/technium.v2i7.2263

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 7 (2020): Proceedings of the 7th Technium Conference 2020

Section

Articles