Abstract
Atmospheric particulates were collected at a site near the front gate of the Yonsei University using nine stages Andersen air sampler and the distribution of seasonal particle size was investigated. Rubber, Pb and Zn contents of the collected particulates in each stage were determined. Particle size distribution of atmospheric particulate, which was made by concentration distribution curve method, was usually divided into two groups, course (particles larger than 1 - 2 $\mu m in diameter$) and fine (particles smaller than 1 - 2 \mu m in diameter$) groups, regardless of sampling period. More than 80 percent of the total rubber contents in atmospheric particulates were larger than $5 \mu m$ in diameter, meaning that most of rubber particles were originated from tire tread. After benzene extraction for 4 hrs, the extracts were analyzed by Curie-point pyrolysis gas chromatography for rubber content. Pb and Zn contents were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The annual average concentration of rubber particles was $4.2 \mu g/m^3$, which corresponded to 2.2% of the annual average total suspended particulates. Average concentration of styrene brtadiene rubber was about five times that of natural rubber. Annual average concentrations of Pb and Zn were $1.2 \mu g/m^3 and 0.4 \mu g/m^3$ respectively, which corresponded to about 0.7% and 0.2% of the annual average total suspended particulates.
