Health risk assessment in children by PM10 inhalation in Guadalajara metropolitan area over 2011–2018

Abstract

The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (GMA) has continuously presented atmospheric pollution problems due to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 micrometers (PM10). Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the risk of developing adverse health effects in children from 0 to 10 years old due to the inhalation of PM10 during 2011–2018 in the GMA. As part of the methodology, the daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual average concentrations were calculated using ten monitoring stations that conform to the Jalisco Atmospheric Monitoring System. Subsequently, the daily and annual concentrations were compared with the current national and international regulatory concentrations. Besides, the hazard index was estimated to know the number of times that the concentrations recorded in the GMA exceed the regulatory concentrations. Finally, the risk was characterized by age groups, calendar year, and seasons by estimating the hazard quotient (HQ). The total HQ results ranged from 1.94 to 4.18, indicating that children from 0 to 10 years old who live in GMA have been at high risk of developing adverse health effects from inhaling high concentrations of PM10 that each year exceeded the annual guideline levels established by the current national and international regulation levels.