Airborne manganese particulates and methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) at selected outdoor sites in Montreal.

This study aims to assess the atmospheric concentrations of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), respirable manganese (MNR) and total manganese (MnT) in certain specific microenvironments and to provide an estimation of human exposure to MnR. Sampling was carried out in five microenvironments: a gas station, an underground car park, downtown Montreal, near an expressway and near an oil refinery. The samples were collected using Gil-Air portable pumps during three days and were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The mean concentrations of MnR, MnT and MMT were 0.036 microgram m-3, 0.103 microgram m-3 and 0.005 microgram m-3 respectively. The MnR/MnT ratios vary from 25% to 43% (mean 35%) while the MMT/MnT ratios averaged about 5%. Furthermore, the mean concentration of the MnR measured near the expressway (0.053 microgram m-3) is similar to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) reference concentration (RfC = 0.05 microgram m-3). The average daily environmental exposure dose to MNR is estimated at 0.010 microgram kg-1 d-1 and its contribution to the multimedia exposure (air, food and water) is low. The overall results show a lack of potential exposure to MMT and substantial concentrations of MnR near an expressway.