Characteristics of metals and Pb isotope ratios in PM(2.5) emitted from temples and their impact on ambient air across different seasons and visitor numbers.

Temples emit PM 2.5 with elevated metal concentrations and stable Pb isotope ratios, especially during major events and higher visitor numbers, impacting air quality.

• Why it matters: Understanding the sources and characteristics of PM 2.5 from temples is crucial because they are potential hotspots for air pollution exposure, yet their specific contributions to ambient air quality remain unclear.
• What they did: The study collected and analyzed PM 2.5 samples inside and outside temples with varying visitor numbers across seasons, measuring metal concentrations and Pb isotope ratios to identify emission patterns.
• The result: Findings show that temples significantly contribute to PM 2.5 levels with distinct metal and isotope signatures, providing potential indicators for source identification and informing air quality management strategies.