Biomonitoring of Toxic Compounds of Airborne Particulate Matter in Urban and Industrial Areas

Abstract

The toxicity and ecotoxicity of airborne particulate matter is determined by its physical features, but also by its chemical composition. The standardised exposure of accumulative bioindicator plants is suggested as an efficient and reliable tool to assess and monitor effects of particulate matter on man and environment. Two widely applied biomonitoring procedures, namely the standardised ryegrass exposure for monitoring of trace metals, and the standardised exposure of curly kale for monitoring of PAH compounds, is presented taking examples from a Europe-wide biomonitoring study conducted in 11 European cities. The presented studies proved the suitability of the procedures applied and demonstrated the high relevance of traffic emissions for particle-bound trace metal and PAH pollution in urban areas. Recommendations for the further standardisation of methods and wider application of these methods in environmental monitoring programmes are made.