Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Indoor and outdoor pollution has become a worldwide problem; it impacts both the environment human health. Research-driven air assessment studies were done in some of larger South African cities like Cape Town Pretoria, but almost none Free State province. The purpose present study was to determine PM2.5 levels its chemical components over period more than one year capital, Bloemfontein. Particulate matter collected on PFTE filters, which then analysed gravimetrically, by smoke stain reflectometry X-ray fluorescence. average concentration for 11 μg/m3, exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) annual guideline limit (5 μg/m3), not National Ambient Air Quality Standard (20 μg/m3). daily WHO (15 μg/m3) 28 days, standard (40 soot 1.2 μg/m3. five most abundant trace elements detected filter samples K, Ca, Si, S Fe.