PM10 levels in communities close to and away from opencast coal mining sites in Northeast England

Concerns about levels of particulate matter of less than 10 mu m (PM10) and their potential health effects have been raised by residents living near o pencast coal mining sites in the UK. PM10 levels were measured by TEOM in 5 matched pairs of communities in northeast England, 5 near active opencast sites and 5 further away, to characterise the PM10 exposure of residents. 1 4 609 paired 30-min TEOM readings, and weather data were collected during 1 996-97, over 6 weeks each in four Fairs and for 24 weeks in one pair. Go-lo cated samplers collected PM10 on an approximately weekly basis and samples were analysed using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive ana lysis (SEM-EDS). The patterns of PM10 levels over time were similar in Open cast and Control Communities and were mostly similar to readings from nearb y automated urban network stations. This suggested regional influences on P M10 levels. The geometric mean PM10 was 17.0 mu g m(-3) in Opencast and 14. 9 mu g m(-3) in Control Communities (arithmetic mean 22.1 mu g m(-3) in Ope ncast 18.2 mu g m(-3) in Control Communities): Opencast Communities thus ha d 14% higher PM10 levels than Control Communities on average. While the siz e distribution and proportion of shale particles indicated the opencast sit e as contributor to the PM10 load in adjacent communities, elevated PM10 le vels in Opencast Communities were not positively linked with permitted work ing hours or wind direction being from the site to the community. No consis tent relationship was found between PM10 levels and wind speed or day of th e week. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.