Chemical characterization of ambient particulate matter near the World Trade Center: Source apportionment using organic and inorganic source markers

Concentrations of alkanes (C20-C35),14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and PAH ketones, and three hopanes are reported from four locations near the World Trade Center (WTC) (three of the locations within 300 m of the debris pile), The highest concentrations of individual PAHs across the four locations were for fluoranthene (10.3 ng/m(3) at site W), pyrene (8.7 ng/m(3) at site W), and chrysene (6.2 ng/m(3) at site W). The EPA Unmix Version 6.0 receptor model was used to estimate the impact of WTC fires and recovery efforts on 5 concentrations. Five factors were identified: open burning of building ambient PM2.5 debris, smoldering fires from building debris, a mixed recovery source, a sulfate/debris removal source, and motor vehicle exhaust. Published by Elsevier Ltd.