Particulate matter concentrations, physical characteristics and elemental composition in the Milan underground transport system

An extensive measurement campaign was conducted in the Milan subway system in order to investigate PM10 concentrations, to determine its physical and elemental composition, its origins, and to attempt to quantify source contributions. The Milan subway system includes three lines and stations typically consist of two underground levels: an intermediate floor (mezzanine) where the turnstiles for accessing the platform are located, and a platform level, one floor down. Measurements were performed in two stations for each line, and both microenvironments (platform and mezzanine) were investigated in all cases. PM10 samples were collected at all twelve sites over three daily periods for nine consecutive days at each site. Particle number concentrations were also measured with Optical Particle Counters (OPC) and size-number distributions were determined. X-ray fluorescence analysis was also performed on the samples to determine element concentrations. The results indicate PM sources related with train operations as the dominant impact on particulate concentrations. Average weekday PM10 concentrations between 105 and 283 μg m−3 were observed at the platform level, while average ambient concentrations of 36 μg m−3 were observed. Fe, Ba, Sb, Mn and Cu were found to be significantly enriched. Metal particles, occurring mostly in the range of diameters between 1 and 5 μm, and therefore likely originating from mechanical processes, account for most of the PM10 mass at the platform level. Wheel, brake and track wear are found to contribute 40–73% of total PM10 mass and electric cable wear (Cu and Zn oxides) 2%–3%. Concentrations measured on the mezzanine levels are intermediate between those found in ambient air and on the platform level, with average daytime PM10 values ranging from 50 to 80 μg m−3. The situation observed on the mezzanine can well be described through an appropriate mixing of ambient and platform level air. A decreasing, albeit still significant, impact from internal sources is observed, with particulate from wheel, brake and track wear contributing an average of 2–25%, and electric cable wear 0.5–1.2%, to total PM10 mass.