Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in urban road dust from Tianjin, China: pollution characteristics, sources and health risk assessment

Abstract

• Pollution characteristics of PAHs and PBDEs in urban road dust were revealed. • PAHs came from petroleum, petroleum combustion, and biomass/coal combustion. • BDE209 was major PBDE congener, and deca-BDE was primary PBDEs source. • Children showed higher health risk to PAHs and PBDEs in urban road dust. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in urban road dust from Tianjin, the largest industrial and commercial city in Northern China, were monitored to assess health risks to local people. The ∑ 16 PAHs ranged 696–7229 ng/g dry weight (dw) with a mean level of 2673 ± 1313 ng/g dw. Ace showed the highest value, and the dominant PAH was 4-ring. The ∑ 16 PBDEs displayed 53.5–214 ng/g dw with a mean value of 95.3 ± 32.1 ng/g dw. BDE209 was the dominating PBDE congener. Petroleum, petroleum combustion, and biomass/coal combustion were major sources of PAHs. Deca-BDE (BDE209) was the main source of PBDEs, while lower brominated PBDEs mainly originated from the degradation of higher brominated PBDEs. Exposure pathways to PAHs in both children and adults were revealed to be dermal contact > ingestion > inhalation. The total carcinogenic risk (CR) of PAHs was a little higher than 10 −6 , indicating that PAHs have certain CR to humans. The non-cancer hazard index (HI) suggested PBDEs posed no adverse health effects to people. Overall, PAHs and PBDEs posed higher health risks to children than adults. This study can serve as a valuable reference point demonstrating Tianjin's need to control environmental pollution and protect human health.