Dangerous organic chemicals identified in inhalable particulate matter air pollution

Abstract

Inhalable particulate matter (PM10), comprising fine and thoracic coarse particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10-2.5, respectively), is emitted from several sources. The sources includes construction and agricultural activities, transportation, industrial processes, power plants, wildfires, household solid cookfuels and suspensions or re-suspensions from unpaved roads, mining and natural sources. Previous studies, specifically from developed countries and China have shown that PM10 may contain several dangerous organic chemicals (DOCCs). However, very little is known about PM10 in developing countries. Therefore is study seeks to identify the DOCCs in airborne PM10 in Nagpur district, India. We collected 24-hr ambient PM10 samples from urban, peri-urban and rural areas of the district during wintertime (January, 2013). The DOCCs in the PM10 were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results revealed that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, phthalate esters, aldehydes, ketones, phenols and organic acids are major DOCCs in the PM10. Quantitative analysis of thirteen individual PAHs in the PM10 revealed concentrations that greatly exceeded health-based guideline. This suggests that prolong inhalation of such PM10 may pose adverse risk to health of the population.