Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro-PAHs, and halogenated-PAHs in Shanxi, China

AbstractEmerging pollutants, nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), and halogenated PAHs (HPAHs), in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in four cities (Taiyuan, Yangquan, Changzhi, and Jincheng) during the non-heating and heating periods of Shanxi province, China, in 2020, were monitored to investigate their pollution characteristics and potential health risk. The exposure levels of PM2.5-bound ∑16PAHs, ∑13NPAHs, ∑6ClPAHs, and ∑7BrPAHs during the heating period ascended compared to the non-heating period. 2N-Nap, 1N-Nap, 2N-Fle, and 9N-Phe were primary monomers in NPAHs with higher concentrations, while higher levels of 2Br-Fle, 2Cl-Ant, and 9Cl-Phe were in HPAHs. Toxic equivalency quotients (TEQs), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and loss of life expectancy (LLE) results suggested that PM2.5-bound PAHs during the heating periods posed a potential carcinogenic risk. The ILCR and loss of life expectancy (LLE) values of PM2.5-bound PAHs showed a similar decreasing trend with an order: adults (age 30 –70)> toddler>adults (age 18 –30)> teenagers> children>baby. The TEQ and ILCR values of ∑13NPAHs and ∑13HPAHs in PM2.5 were far below the safety threshold, indicating no obvious cancer risks. The pollution of PM2.5-bound PAHs, NPAHs, and HPAHs and potential health risks in Yangquan and Changzhi was more serious compared to Taiyuan and Jincheng.
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research