Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) is a major factor contributing to air quality deterioration that enters the atmosphere as a consequence of various natural and anthropogenic activities. In PM, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a class of organic chemicals with at least two aromatic rings that are mainly directly emitted via the incomplete combustion of various organic materials. Numerous toxicological and epidemiological studies have proven adverse links between exposure to particulate matter-bound (PM-bound) PAHs and human health due to their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Among human exposure routes, inhalation is the main pathway regarding PM-bound PAHs in the atmosphere. Moreover, the concentrations of PM-bound PAHs differ among people, microenvironments and areas. Hence, understanding the behaviour of PM-bound PAHs in the atmosphere is crucial. However, because current techniques hardly monitor PAHs in real-time, timely feedback on PAHs including the characteristics of their concentration and composition, is not obtained via real-time analysis methods. Therefore, in this review, we summarize personal exposure, and indoor and outdoor PM-bound PAH concentrations for different participants, spaces, and cities worldwide in recent years. The main aims are to clarify the characteristics of PM-bound PAHs under different exposure conditions, in addition to the health effects and assessment methods of PAHs.
Highlights
Air pollution has become a mainstream global environmental pollution problem in recent decades [1,2]
Particulate matter (PM) is one of the major factors contributing to air quality deterioration, leading to adverse health effects on humans [3,4,5,6]
Because the concentrations of PM-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may differ according to people, the microenvironment, and area, in this review, we summarize the personal exposure concentrations of PM-bound PAHs and indoor and outdoor PM-bound PAHs in cities worldwide in recent years to further examine the exposure routes to atmospheric PM-bound PAHs and their health effects
Summary
Air pollution has become a mainstream global environmental pollution problem in recent decades [1,2]. According to the report by the World Health Organization (WHO), PM in outdoor air is responsible for approximately 4.5 million premature deaths every year, or close to 10% of the total deaths on a global scale [28]. Among these deaths, approximately 2 million deaths, which represent approximately 5% of the global total deaths, are due to damage to the lungs and respiratory system directly attributable to PM [28].
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