Characterization, possible sources and health risk assessment of PM2.5-bound Heavy Metals in the most industrial city of Iran

This study has been designed and performed to examine the concentration of PM2.5-bound heavy metals, risk assessment, possible sources and effect of meteorological parameters on 17 sites of the air of the most industrial city of Iran (Karaj) in 2018-19. For this purpose, four samples were taken from every point of Karaj air over one year using a pump (Leland Legacy (SKC)) with flow rate of 3  L/min on PTFE filter for 24 h. Overall, 68 samples of PM2.5-bound heavy metals were collected. Note that during the sampling, atmospheric parameters including temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed were regularly recorded using PHB318 portable device. In examining the chemical composition of these particles, the concentration of metals (Al-Zn- Ar-Cd-Cr-Cu-Fe-Hg-Mn-Ni-Pb) was determined after digestion of the collected samples and through injection into ICP-OEC device. The results indicated that the mean annual concentration of PM2.5 particles range from 21.84 to 72.75  µg/m3. The mean concentration of heavy metals lied within the range of 25.63 to 336.27  ng/m3. Among heavy metals, the maximum concentration belonged to aluminum (277.95  ng/m3) and iron (336.27  ng/m3), which are known as elements with a ground source (sources such as car fuels, exhaust gases, decorative materials, batteries, indoor smoking, the paint used for painting walls, erosion and corrosion of rubber of cars). Meanwhile, there was a positive relationship between heavy metals and temperature(r: 0.418...
Source: Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research