Air Particulate Emissions in Developing Countries: A Case Study in South Africa

Atmospheric aerosols were collected during the winter in Bethlehem, South Africa. The particulate mass concentrations, ambient carbon mass concentrations, and chemical composition of various particulate fractions showed that the area is highly polluted. The fine particle mass concentrations peaked at 1000 mu g/m(3) for PM2.5. Ambient carbon mass concentrations ranged from 20 to 40 mu g/m(3). Single particle analysis confirmed that the fine particle fraction was dominated by organic particles. The topographical conditions, causing a low inversion, together with the high amounts of emissions from biomass burning, result in unacceptable levels of air pollution and pose a considerable health threat to the population.