Motor vehicle contributions to ambient PM10 and PM2.5 at selected urban areas in the USA

A source apportionment study was carried out to estimate the contribution of motor vehicles to ambient particulate matter (PM) in selected urban areas in the USA. Measurements were performed at seven locations during the period September 7, 2000 through March 9, 2001. Measurements included integrated PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Ambient PM2.5 and PM10 were apportioned to their local sources using the chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model and compared with results obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicate that PM2.5 components were mainly from combustion sources, including motor vehicles, and secondary species (nitrates and sulfates). PM10 consisted mainly of geological material, in addition to emissions from combustion sources. The fractional contributions of motor vehicles to ambient PM were estimated to be in the range from 20 to 76% and from 35 to 92% for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively.