2014 |
Perrone, Maria Grazia; Carbone, Claudio; Faedo, Davide; Ferrero, Luca; Maggioni, Angela; Sangiorgi, Giorgia; Bolzacchini, Ezio Atmospheric Environment, 82 (0), pp. 391 - 400, 2014, ISSN: 1352-2310. @article{Perrone2014, title = {Exhaust emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, n-alkanes and phenols from vehicles coming within different European classes}, author = {Maria Grazia Perrone and Claudio Carbone and Davide Faedo and Luca Ferrero and Angela Maggioni and Giorgia Sangiorgi and Ezio Bolzacchini}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231013007930}, issn = {1352-2310}, year = {2014}, date = {2014-01-01}, journal = {Atmospheric Environment}, volume = {82}, number = {0}, pages = {391 - 400}, abstract = {Abstract EU emission standards for vehicles do not include many particulate (PM) and gaseous species, despite their considerable impact on air pollution and health. Emission factors (EFs) were measured for unregulated species, i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes (ALKs) in the particle phase, and, for the first time, EFs for phenols in both particle and gas phases. Exhaust samples were collected under controlled operating conditions (chassis dynamometer tests) for in-service vehicles (private cars, PCs and light duty vehicles, LDVs) from different EURO classes. EFs of trace organics were highest for the old EURO 1 vehicles (the tested EURO 1 vehicles were without emission-control devices), and lowest for the more recent EURO 3 and 4 vehicles. ALKs (C20–C32) were the most abundant trace organic compounds found in PM vehicle exhaust, and their EF ranged between 2034 and 101 μg km−1 (Euro 1–4 LDVs). PM-phased phenols EFs were in the range 0.42–2.50 μg km−1, and 4-nitrophenol was the most abundant one. The highest EFs were measured for phenols in the gas phase (dominated by the presence of phenol) for gasoline EURO 1 (43.16 ± 9.99 μg km−1). Emissions of PAHs changed depending on the fuel used. The PAH EFs of diesel-driven PCs were 4–5 times higher than those of gasoline vehicles, with PAHs diesel exhaust being mainly enriched in low 4-ring PAHs (85%), while 5–6 ring PAHs were prevalent (55%) in gasoline vehicles. Results of source profiles from chassis dynamometer tests were compared with ambient data, and the traffic PAH source profile derived from a tunnel study (Milan) agreed with the estimated emissions from a mix of diesel and gasoline vehicles circulating in the same area. Moreover, the impact of EURO regulatory changes on exhaust emissions was calculated, and this made it possible to estimate the downward trend of PAH emissions in the Province of Milan in the period 2005–2020.}, keywords = {} } Abstract EU emission standards for vehicles do not include many particulate (PM) and gaseous species, despite their considerable impact on air pollution and health. Emission factors (EFs) were measured for unregulated species, i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes (ALKs) in the particle phase, and, for the first time, EFs for phenols in both particle and gas phases. Exhaust samples were collected under controlled operating conditions (chassis dynamometer tests) for in-service vehicles (private cars, PCs and light duty vehicles, LDVs) from different EURO classes. EFs of trace organics were highest for the old EURO 1 vehicles (the tested EURO 1 vehicles were without emission-control devices), and lowest for the more recent EURO 3 and 4 vehicles. ALKs (C20–C32) were the most abundant trace organic compounds found in PM vehicle exhaust, and their EF ranged between 2034 and 101 μg km−1 (Euro 1–4 LDVs). PM-phased phenols EFs were in the range 0.42–2.50 μg km−1, and 4-nitrophenol was the most abundant one. The highest EFs were measured for phenols in the gas phase (dominated by the presence of phenol) for gasoline EURO 1 (43.16 ± 9.99 μg km−1). Emissions of PAHs changed depending on the fuel used. The PAH EFs of diesel-driven PCs were 4–5 times higher than those of gasoline vehicles, with PAHs diesel exhaust being mainly enriched in low 4-ring PAHs (85%), while 5–6 ring PAHs were prevalent (55%) in gasoline vehicles. Results of source profiles from chassis dynamometer tests were compared with ambient data, and the traffic PAH source profile derived from a tunnel study (Milan) agreed with the estimated emissions from a mix of diesel and gasoline vehicles circulating in the same area. Moreover, the impact of EURO regulatory changes on exhaust emissions was calculated, and this made it possible to estimate the downward trend of PAH emissions in the Province of Milan in the period 2005–2020. |
2013 |
Ferrero, Luca; Sangiorgi, Giorgia; Ferrini, Barbara; Perrone, Maria; Moscatelli, Marco; D’Angelo, Luca; Rovelli, Grazia; Ariatta, Alberto; Truccolo, Redy; Bolzacchini, Ezio Aerosol Corrosion Prevention and Energy-Saving Strategies in the Design of Green Data Centers (Article) Environmental Science & Technology, 47 (8), pp. 3856-3864, 2013. @article{doi:10.1021/es304790f, title = {Aerosol Corrosion Prevention and Energy-Saving Strategies in the Design of Green Data Centers}, author = {Ferrero, Luca and Sangiorgi, Giorgia and Ferrini, Barbara S. and Perrone, Maria G. and Moscatelli, Marco and D’Angelo, Luca and Rovelli, Grazia and Ariatta, Alberto and Truccolo, Redy and Bolzacchini, Ezio}, url = {http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es304790f}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, journal = {Environmental Science & Technology}, volume = {47}, number = {8}, pages = {3856-3864}, abstract = {The energy demands of data centers (DCs) worldwide are rapidly increasing, as are their environmental and economic costs. This paper presents a study conducted at Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi (Po Valley), Italy, specifically aimed at optimizing the operating conditions of a DC designed for the Italian Oil and Gas Company (Eni) (5200 m2 of Information Technology installed, 30 MW) and based on a direct free cooling (DFC) system. The aim of the study was to save the largest possible quantity of energy, while at the same time preventing aerosol corrosion. The aerosol properties (number size distribution, chemical composition, deliquescence relative humidity (DRH), acidity) and meteorological parameters were monitored and utilized to determine the potential levels of aerosol entering the DC (equivalent ISO class), together with its DRH. These data enabled us both to select the DC’s filtering system (MERV13 filters) and to optimize the cooling cycle through calculation of the most reliable humidity cycle (60% of maximum allowed RH) applicable to the DFC. A potential energy saving of 81%, compared to a traditional air conditioning cooling system, was estimated: in one year, for 1 kW of installed information technology, the estimated energy saving is 7.4 MWh, resulting in 2.7 fewer tons of CO2 being emitted, and a financial saving of € 1100. URL = http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es304790f}, keywords = {} } The energy demands of data centers (DCs) worldwide are rapidly increasing, as are their environmental and economic costs. This paper presents a study conducted at Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi (Po Valley), Italy, specifically aimed at optimizing the operating conditions of a DC designed for the Italian Oil and Gas Company (Eni) (5200 m2 of Information Technology installed, 30 MW) and based on a direct free cooling (DFC) system. The aim of the study was to save the largest possible quantity of energy, while at the same time preventing aerosol corrosion. The aerosol properties (number size distribution, chemical composition, deliquescence relative humidity (DRH), acidity) and meteorological parameters were monitored and utilized to determine the potential levels of aerosol entering the DC (equivalent ISO class), together with its DRH. These data enabled us both to select the DC’s filtering system (MERV13 filters) and to optimize the cooling cycle through calculation of the most reliable humidity cycle (60% of maximum allowed RH) applicable to the DFC. A potential energy saving of 81%, compared to a traditional air conditioning cooling system, was estimated: in one year, for 1 kW of installed information technology, the estimated energy saving is 7.4 MWh, resulting in 2.7 fewer tons of CO2 being emitted, and a financial saving of € 1100. URL = http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es304790f |
Moroni, Beatrice; Ferrero, Luca; Crocchianti, Stefano; Perrone, MariaGrazia; Sangiorgi, Giorgia; Bolzacchini, Ezio; Cappelletti, David Rendiconti Lincei, 24 (4), pp. 319-328, 2013, ISSN: 2037-4631. @article{, title = {Aerosol dynamics upon Terni basin (Central Italy): results of integrated vertical profile measurements and electron microscopy analyses}, author = {Moroni, Beatrice and Ferrero, Luca and Crocchianti, Stefano and Perrone, MariaGrazia and Sangiorgi, Giorgia and Bolzacchini, Ezio and Cappelletti, David}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12210-013-0230-8}, issn = {2037-4631}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, journal = {Rendiconti Lincei}, volume = {24}, number = {4}, pages = {319-328}, publisher = {Springer Milan}, abstract = {In this work, aerosol size distribution measurements along with individual particle analyses were performed along the vertical profile in the atmosphere, to shed some light on the dynamics of evolution of aerosol properties upon a basin valley. The case study is the Terni basin, one of the most polluted urban and industrial sites in central Italy. Aerosol vertical profile measurements were performed using a helium-filled tethered balloon equipped with an optical particle counter (OPC), a miniaturized cascade impactor with particle collection filter, and a portable meteorological station. Combined OPC number size measurements and single particle analyses by scanning electron microscopy were employed to reconstruct the pattern and evolution of aerosol properties over the basin. Moreover, the CHIMERE chemistry-transport model was applied over a selected computing domain to obtain a general overview of the driving forces of the aerosol dynamics. Scanning electron microscopy methods along with chemical transport modeling revealed distinct distributions of number, size and geochemical properties of different particles classes in the aerosols. These reflect distinct behaviours and spatial/temporal evolution of the constituent particles, along with the common occurrence of dust inputs from regional to long range sources (e.g., Saharan dust inputs). All these features have to be taken into consideration when approaching the modeling of atmospheric processes, particularly in basin valleys located in Central and Southern Italy where the influence of Saharan dust outbreaks is more pronounced.}, keywords = {} } In this work, aerosol size distribution measurements along with individual particle analyses were performed along the vertical profile in the atmosphere, to shed some light on the dynamics of evolution of aerosol properties upon a basin valley. The case study is the Terni basin, one of the most polluted urban and industrial sites in central Italy. Aerosol vertical profile measurements were performed using a helium-filled tethered balloon equipped with an optical particle counter (OPC), a miniaturized cascade impactor with particle collection filter, and a portable meteorological station. Combined OPC number size measurements and single particle analyses by scanning electron microscopy were employed to reconstruct the pattern and evolution of aerosol properties over the basin. Moreover, the CHIMERE chemistry-transport model was applied over a selected computing domain to obtain a general overview of the driving forces of the aerosol dynamics. Scanning electron microscopy methods along with chemical transport modeling revealed distinct distributions of number, size and geochemical properties of different particles classes in the aerosols. These reflect distinct behaviours and spatial/temporal evolution of the constituent particles, along with the common occurrence of dust inputs from regional to long range sources (e.g., Saharan dust inputs). All these features have to be taken into consideration when approaching the modeling of atmospheric processes, particularly in basin valleys located in Central and Southern Italy where the influence of Saharan dust outbreaks is more pronounced. |
Sangiorgi,; Ferrero,; Ferrini,; Porto, Lo; Perrone,; Zangrando,; Gambaro,; Lazzati,; Bolzacchini, Indoor airborne particle sources and semi-volatile partitioning effect of outdoor fine PM in offices (Article) Atmospheric Environment, 65 (0), pp. 205 - 214, 2013, ISSN: 1352-2310. @article{Sangiorgi2013205, title = {Indoor airborne particle sources and semi-volatile partitioning effect of outdoor fine PM in offices}, author = {G. Sangiorgi and L. Ferrero and B.S. Ferrini and C. Lo Porto and M.G. Perrone and R. Zangrando and A. Gambaro and Z. Lazzati and E. Bolzacchini}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231012010321}, issn = {1352-2310}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, journal = {Atmospheric Environment}, volume = {65}, number = {0}, pages = {205 - 214}, abstract = {To date, few studies have focused on PM air quality in offices, despite the fact that a lot of people spend many working hours a day in such offices. The aim of the present study is to investigate PM1 and PM2.5 in offices in Milan (Northern Italy) and in the air outside those offices. The PM samples were analyzed to determine the entity of certain compounds with possible direct or indirect adverse effects on human health: PAHs, BpA, and water soluble inorganic ions. A good correlation between outdoor and indoor PM mass concentrations emerged (R2 ∼0.87). The maximum I/O concentration ratio was 0.92, suggesting that the indoor PM level was always lower than the outdoor level. The average infiltration factor, FINF, was 0.55, showing that about a half of the outdoor PM had come indoors. The indoor-generated particles, Cig, had values ranging from 0 to 4.4 μg m−3 (<25% of the indoor PM), showing that PM indoor sources had only made a limited contribution to total indoor PM. The results of the indoor-to-outdoor comparisons for the aforementioned chemical compounds demonstrate that the offices were characterized by the absence of effective indoor sources of particulate-bound PAHs and inorganic ions, whereas Cig was around 58% of the indoor concentration for BpA. Our analysis of the FINF data pointed to the presence of a volatilization effect from PM for semi-volatile compounds like ammonium nitrate and 4- or 5-ring PAHs, which affected the measurement of their FINF. We propose the introduction of a new and simple parameter, called volatilization correction, to take account of this effect.}, keywords = {} } To date, few studies have focused on PM air quality in offices, despite the fact that a lot of people spend many working hours a day in such offices. The aim of the present study is to investigate PM1 and PM2.5 in offices in Milan (Northern Italy) and in the air outside those offices. The PM samples were analyzed to determine the entity of certain compounds with possible direct or indirect adverse effects on human health: PAHs, BpA, and water soluble inorganic ions. A good correlation between outdoor and indoor PM mass concentrations emerged (R2 ∼0.87). The maximum I/O concentration ratio was 0.92, suggesting that the indoor PM level was always lower than the outdoor level. The average infiltration factor, FINF, was 0.55, showing that about a half of the outdoor PM had come indoors. The indoor-generated particles, Cig, had values ranging from 0 to 4.4 μg m−3 (<25% of the indoor PM), showing that PM indoor sources had only made a limited contribution to total indoor PM. The results of the indoor-to-outdoor comparisons for the aforementioned chemical compounds demonstrate that the offices were characterized by the absence of effective indoor sources of particulate-bound PAHs and inorganic ions, whereas Cig was around 58% of the indoor concentration for BpA. Our analysis of the FINF data pointed to the presence of a volatilization effect from PM for semi-volatile compounds like ammonium nitrate and 4- or 5-ring PAHs, which affected the measurement of their FINF. We propose the introduction of a new and simple parameter, called volatilization correction, to take account of this effect. |
Perrone,; Gualtieri,; Consonni,; Ferrero,; Sangiorgi,; Longhin,; Ballabio,; Bolzacchini,; Camatini, Environmental Pollution, 176 (0), pp. 215 - 227, 2013, ISSN: 0269-7491. @article{Perrone2013215, title = {Particle size, chemical composition, seasons of the year and urban, rural or remote site origins as determinants of biological effects of particulate matter on pulmonary cells}, author = {M.G. Perrone and M. Gualtieri and V. Consonni and L. Ferrero and G. Sangiorgi and E. Longhin and D. Ballabio and E. Bolzacchini and M. Camatini}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749113000274}, issn = {0269-7491}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, journal = {Environmental Pollution}, volume = {176}, number = {0}, pages = {215 - 227}, abstract = {Particulate matter (PM), a complex mix of chemical compounds, results to be associated with various health effects. However there is still lack of information on the impact of its different components. PM2.5 and PM1 samples, collected during the different seasons at an urban, rural and remote site, were chemically characterized and the biological effects induced on A549 cells were assessed. A Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis has been performed to relate PM chemical composition to the toxic effects observed. Results show that PM-induced biological effects changed with the seasons and sites, and such variations may be explained by chemical constituents of PM, derived both from primary and secondary sources. The first-time here reported biological responses induced by PM from a remote site at high altitude were associated with the high concentrations of metals and secondary species typical of the free tropospheric aerosol, influenced by long range transports and aging.}, keywords = {} } Particulate matter (PM), a complex mix of chemical compounds, results to be associated with various health effects. However there is still lack of information on the impact of its different components. PM2.5 and PM1 samples, collected during the different seasons at an urban, rural and remote site, were chemically characterized and the biological effects induced on A549 cells were assessed. A Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis has been performed to relate PM chemical composition to the toxic effects observed. Results show that PM-induced biological effects changed with the seasons and sites, and such variations may be explained by chemical constituents of PM, derived both from primary and secondary sources. The first-time here reported biological responses induced by PM from a remote site at high altitude were associated with the high concentrations of metals and secondary species typical of the free tropospheric aerosol, influenced by long range transports and aging. |