Particulate matter
was physically and chemically characterized in November 2005–May 2006
concurrently with an epidemiological study among cardiac patients in Kotka,
Finland. The daily PM2.5 concentrations (campaign mean
10.6 g m–3) typically displayed a similar pattern to that
in Helsinki, suggesting that the air masses were well-mixed over a large area of
southern Finland. There were occasionally increased short-term PM2.5
and particle number concentrations, most likely due to emissions from local
industrial sources. A strong relationship was detected between high particle
number concentrations (> 30 000 cm–3) and north-easterly
winds. PM2.5, black carbon (BC) or nitrogen oxides (NOx)
did not show corresponding connection. The mean contribution of local traffic to
BC and NOx were estimated at 30% and 55%, respectively, during the
campaign. The main chemical component of PM2.5 was particulate
organic matter (37% ± 14%) followed by non-sea-salt sulphate
(26% ± 11%), whereas main component of PM2.5–10 was
soil-derived crustal material (49% ± 11%).