Identification and Characterization of Particulate Matter Concentrations at Construction Jobsites

TLDR

Particulate matter from construction sites varies in concentration, size, composition, and is further affected by meteorological conditions, making its identification and characterization challenging. The study aims to develop a methodology for assessing environmental impacts of construction‑related PM emissions by identifying and characterizing PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, and TSP on a construction site. A standardized protocol for site selection, sampling, and laboratory analysis was applied to a multifamily residential building across earthworks, superstructure, and finishings phases to measure PM concentrations in different size fractions. Higher TSP emissions from construction activities were found to cause environmental impacts, though limitations regarding phase‑specific effects were noted, providing a basis for refining collection methods and guiding future research.

Abstract

The identification and characterization of particulate matter (PM) concentrations from construction site activities pose major challenges due to the diverse characteristics related to different aspects, such as concentration, particle size and particle composition. Moreover, the characterization of particulate matter is influenced by meteorological conditions, including temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind speed. This paper is part of a broader investigation that aims to develop a methodology for assessing the environmental impacts caused by the PM emissions that arise from construction activities. The objective of this paper is to identify and characterize the PM emissions on a construction site with different aerodynamic diameters (PM2.5, PM10, total suspended particulates (TSP)), based on an exploratory study. Initially, a protocol was developed to standardize the construction site selection criteria, laboratory procedures, field sample collection and laboratory analysis. This protocol was applied on a multifamily residential building construction site during three different construction phases (earthworks, superstructure and finishings) aimed at measuring and monitoring PM concentrations arising from construction activities. The particulate matter was characterized in different particle sizes. Results showed that the higher TSP emissions arising from construction activities provoked environmental impacts. Some limitations to the results were identified, especially with regards the need for a detailed investigation about the influence of different construction phases on PM emissions. The findings provided significant knowledge about various situations, serving as a basis for improving the existing methodology for particulate material collection on construction sites and the development of future studies on the specific construction site phases.