PM10 concentrations and the size distribution of Cu and Fe-containing particles in Istanbul’s subway system

In this study, PM10 concentrations, as well as the size distributions of Fe-containing and Cu-containing particles are measured in six subway stations in Istanbul. The average daily PM10 concentrations are found to vary considerably. They were also found to be significantly higher than the levels found at urban air quality stations. Further, the relative abundance of Fe-containing particles among the particles of size >2.1 μm collected in the metro stations is 3.5–8 times higher than in the in the Istanbul atmosphere.

► We examined PM10 concentrations and the size distributions of Fe/Cu containing particles in subway system.
► PM10 in the subway stations were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in the urban air.
► The most common particle size range was 3.3–5.8 μm.
► 15–30 % of the inhalable PM of size.
► 2.1 μm was determined as Fe-containing particles.