Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed for 136 indoor dust samples collected from Guizhou province, southwest of China. The ∑18PAHs concentrations ranged from 2.18 μg•g-1 to 14.20 μg•g-1 with the mean value of 6.78 μg•g-1. The highest Σ18PAHs concentration was found in dust samples from orefields, followed by city, town and village. Moreover, the mean concentration of Σ18PAHs in indoor dust was at least 10% higher than that of outdoors. The 4–6 rings PAHs, contributing more than 70% of ∑18PAHs, were the dominant species. PAHs ratios, principal component analysis with multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were applied to evaluate the possible sources. Two major origins of PAHs in indoor dust were identified as vehicle emissions and coal combustion. The mean incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) due to human exposure to indoor dust PAHs in city, town, village and orefield of Guizhou province, China was 6.14×10−6, 5.00×10−6, 3.08×10−6, 6.02×10−6 for children and 5.92×10−6, 4.83×10−6, 2.97×10−6, 5.81×10−6 for adults, respectively.
Highlights
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are byproducts of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass and pyrosynthesis of organic materials [1, 2]
In order to explore the variances of PAHs sources from different areas characterized by different pollution situations, 88 indoor dust samples were randomly collected from 2 representative cities, 2 towns, 3 villages and one orefield in Guizhou province during autumn, 2012 (Fig. 1)
5.92×10−6 2.92×10−6 9.55×10−6 4.83×10−6 2.42×10−6 7.79×10−6 2.97×10−6 1.34×10−6 5.66×10−6 5.81×10−6 2.05×10−6 1.06×10−5 a The sum of converted values of PAHs based on toxic equivalents of benzo(a) pyrene (BaP) using the Toxic Equivalency Factor (TEF). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0118141.t008
Summary
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are byproducts of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass and pyrosynthesis of organic materials [1, 2]. PAHs are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that have been identified worldwide in various matrices, such as dust particle, water or soil, and include more than 100 kinds of PAH compounds. In view of their widespread sources and strong carcinogenicity, PAHs have been brought into extensive public attention and attracted greatly interest of experts and government organizations [3,4,5]. Little research has been conducted, to evaluate the PAHs contamination in dust, especially in indoor dust which can become the carrier of pollutants, directly or indirectly by human inhalation or ingestion, and induce a variety of diseases [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
