Abstract
This study concentrated on the pollution level, sources, and lung cancer risk of PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in summer in Nanjing, China. PM10 samples were collected in summer of the year 2015 in Nanjing. 16 USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) priority PAHs were extracted and analyzed after sampling. The mean concentrations of PAHs and BaPeq were 7.49±2.60 and 1.21±0.24 ng/m3, respectively, being in a middle level among results from regions worldwide. According to the results of diagnostic ratios, PAHs originated mainly from traffic exhaust, especially diesel vehicle emissions. Owing to the inhalation exposure, the median values of incremental lung cancer risk (ILCR) were estimated to be 3.36×10-8, 2.50×10-8, 1.69×10-7, 2.54×10-8, 1.38×10-7, 1.18×10-7, 1.27×10-7, and 1.11×10-7 for boys, male adolescents, male adults, male seniors, girls, female adolescents, female adults, and female seniors, respectively, indicating low potential lung cancer risk.
Highlights
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a collective name of the organic compounds condensed by two or more benzene molecules or cyclopentadiene molecules
Based on BaP equivalent (BaPeq) in air, daily inhalation exposure (E) level and incremental lung cancer risk (ILCR) for human beings caused by particulate PAHs could be estimated
The mean BaPeq concentration was lower than 2.5 ng/m3, the daily limited standard of atmospheric BaP in the newest ambient air quality standard of China (GB3095-2012), whereas it was greater than 1 ng/m3, the European Union standard, indicating atmospheric PAHs pollution [17]
Summary
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a collective name of the organic compounds condensed by two or more benzene molecules or cyclopentadiene molecules. The USEPA fixed 16 parent PAHs as priority pollutants and these 16 compounds (16 USEPA priority PAHs) were widely concerning due to their carcinogenic properties and wide distribution in atmosphere. Besides their distribution in gas phase, PAHs are easy to adhere to atmospheric particulate matter like PM2.5 and PM10, be inhaled, and stay on alveoli [1,2,3]. Industrial production, and daily activities are important sources of PAHs. Based on BaP equivalent (BaPeq) in air, daily inhalation exposure (E) level and incremental lung cancer risk (ILCR) for human beings caused by particulate PAHs could be estimated. Studies on ILCR caused by PAHs for population groups of different age and gender are limited
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