3D Imaging of Roadside and Underground Railway Particulate Matter Structures

Air pollution in cities is associated with adverse health conditions; however, the underlying reasons are poorly understood. Previous particulate matter (PM) imaging studies have mostly used 2D microscopic techniques. In this study, 3D appearances of roadside and underground railway station airborne PMs elemental characteristics PM were examined. Roadside collected using a cyclone collection system. The structures examined an Olympus LEXT OLS4100 confocal microscope. Elemental evaluated Zeiss EVO 50 scanning electron microscope (SEM) backscattered (BSE) mode. Confocal microscopy both sources indicated some particles can sharp appearing edges. longest axis length had median (range) 4.0 (1.3 to 6.6) μm height 1.4 (0.3 2.1) μm. SEM was consistent appearance size imaging; BSE mode compositions primarily iron, calcium, silicon. conclusion, we observed that surfaces from microscopy. enabled analysis.