Temporal variation of ²¹⁰Pb concentration in the urban aerosols of Shanghai, China

This study monitored ²¹⁰Pb levels of the atmospheric aerosol in Shanghai from January 2016 to February 2017. ²¹⁰Pb levels were found to be low in non-haze weather events (1.46 ± 0.76 mBq/m³, n = 8) and high in moderate pollution weather events (2.34 ± 1.43 mBq/m³, n = 12). Similar to those of other East Asian regions, monthly averaged ²¹⁰Pb concentration showed a U-shaped distribution pattern, indicating that the East Asian monsoon has an impact on atmospheric ²¹⁰Pb. Particulate matters (PM) had a significant positive correlation with ²¹⁰Pb, indicating that there might occur an intensified ²¹⁰Pb scavenging processes. The linear correlation analysis revealed a clear link between ²¹⁰Pb and some gaseous pollutants, strong positive correlation between CO and ²¹⁰Pb (²¹⁰Pb/CO, R = 0.63, P < 0.01), and weak correlation between ²¹⁰Pb and O₃ (R = − 0.35), NO₂ (R = 0.42), and SO₂ (R = 0.34). This phenomenon demonstrated that in haze weather, not only the general air pollutants concentrations have increased, but also the ²¹⁰Pb concentration. Radiation dosimetry of daily inhalation of ²¹⁰Pb through exposure to outdoor air is estimated to be relatively minor; children intake remains higher.