Atmospheric pollutants sources, health risk assessment study at a commercial, urban and traffic site

Abstract

Ambient air pollutants have detrimental effects on human health and ambient air quality in central Taiwan is worsening. The aims of this study are as follows: (1) Measure the ambient air concentrations and dry deposition fluxes of particulates at a mixed commercial, urban and traffic sampling site in Luliao. (2) Identify the metallic elements that are attached to the particulates at this mixed sampling site. (3) Discuss the effects of ambient air pollutants (metallic elements that are attached to the particulates) on the health of local people using contamination factors and degrees of contamination [Ghosh et al. (2018). Source and chemical species characterization of PM10 and human health risk assessment of semi-urban, urban and industrial areas of West Bengal, India. Chemosphere 207:626–636]. The mean total suspended particulate concentrations were highest in the winter and lowest in the summer. The deposition fluxes were highest in the autumn and lowest in the summer. ANOVA results revealed no significant seasonal variation in the concentrations or dry depositions of particulates and metallic elements (Al, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) at the sampling site. Cu was the only exception, as its concentration varied seasonally. Degrees of contamination and contamination factor values for metallic elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were low. Most of the metallic elements – Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb and Al – were locally emitted. Local residents close to the site faced no immediate carcinogenic or other health-related risk. Taichung World Flora Exposition was held in Taichung city and lasted as long as six months, and traffic flow increased significantly during this period. Hence, high density traffic flow during the Taichung World Flora Exposition might have been responsible for the high concentration and seasonal variations concentrations of metallic elements Cu and Mn at this time.