Spatio-Temporal Modeling of Small-Scale Ultrafine Particle Variability Using Generalized Additive Models

High-resolution measurements of ultrafine particle concentrations in ambient air are needed for the study health human effects long-term exposure. This work, carried out framework VIEPI project (Integrated Evaluation Indoor Particulate Exposure), aims to extend current knowledge on small-scale spatio-temporal variability Particle Number Concentration (PNC, considered a proxy particles) at local scale domain (1 km × 1 km). PNC were made university district San Lorenzo Rome using portable condensation counters 7 consecutive days 21 sites November 2017 and June 2018. Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) performed area winter, summer overall period. The log-transformed two-hour averages constitute response variable, covariates grouped by urban morphology, land use, traffic meteorology. Winter values about twice ones. recorded significantly lower than those observed external routes. GAMs showed rather satisfactory result order capture spatial variability, accordance with other previous studies: variances equal 71.1, 79.7 84%, respectively,