Inhalable railroad particles at ground level and subterranean stations – Physical and chemical properties and relation to train traffic

The paper compares PM10 concentrations in railroad environments with EU air quality standards and characterizes particle concentrations and particle properties in relation to train traffic. The results show that PM10 concentrations in ground-level railroad environments do not exceed the EU directive 24-h limit value, while on the platforms of the two subterranean stations PM10 concentrations were far above the outdoor limit value. Diurnal and weekly patterns in PM10 concentration could be identified, co-varying with train traffic intensity. The particle mass size distribution peaked at around 2–6 μm. The elemental composition of PM10 at the subterranean stations was dominated by Fe.

► We compare PM10 and its properties in railroad environments above and below ground.
► PM10 in ground-level railroad environments in Sweden do not exceed limit values.
► PM10 in two subterranean stations were far above limit values.
► Diurnal and weekly patterns in PM10 co-varied with train traffic intensity.
► Coarse and ultra-fine fractions were identified and PM10 was dominated by iron.