Abstract
In this study, an innovative and inexpensive approach, based on car engine air filters (CAFs), was used to monitor polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs). CAFs were collected from two taxi garages in Guangzhou and analyzed for PAHs and heavy metals. The total concentrations of eight high molecular weight PAHs (ΣPAHs) ranged from 923 to 11378 µg/CAF. The average ΣPAHs concentration in winter was slightly higher than in summer, a seasonal signal that is observed in most studies. The most abundant individual PAH was chrysene, followed by benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene. Concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) varied between 8.22 and 632 µg/CAF. Based on estimated air volumes that pass through each CAF, atmospheric PAHs and heavy metals were estimated. ΣPAHs ranged from ~20 to ~200 ng/m 3 for the average air volume estimate, being comparable to those reported previously using a high volume air sampler. BaP-equivalent carcinogenic potency were between 1 and 15.0 ng/m 3 (again, for the average scenario). The average concentrations of heavy metals in CAFs decreased in order of Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd.
Highlights
IntroductionUrban air pollution can cause acute or chronic adverse effects on human health via exposure to both gaseous (oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, oxides of carbon etc.) and particulate pollutants (organic and inorganic)
Urban air pollution can cause acute or chronic adverse effects on human health via exposure to both gaseous and particulate pollutants
This study aimed at evaluating the applicability of car engine air filters (CAFs) as sampling media for monitoring both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs)
Summary
Urban air pollution can cause acute or chronic adverse effects on human health via exposure to both gaseous (oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, oxides of carbon etc.) and particulate pollutants (organic and inorganic). HMs associated with particles in urban air can penetrate in the deeper parts of lungs and catalyse the oxidative stress in Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants that are mainly derived from incomplete combustion of organic materials. Some of these compounds are highly carcinogenic and/or mutagenic, several compounds have been considered as probable and possible carcinogens to humans (IARC, 1983, 1991). PAHs are present in both gas and particle phases influencing human health through inhalation and/or ingestion (Li et al, 2006; Ma et al, 2010; Masih et al, 2010a; Ma et al, 2011). Zhang et al (2009) reported that 1.6% of the lung cancer morbidity in China was due to
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