Sources of airborne particulate matter-bound metals and spatial-seasonal variability of health risk potentials in four large cities, South Korea

Eunhwa Choi,Jong-Bae Heo,Seung-Muk Yi,Young Su Lee,Hyeri Jo,Sung-Ok Baek

doi:10.1007/s11356-021-18445-8

Eunhwa Choi, Jong-Bae Heo + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18445-8

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Abstract

Fifteen airborne particulate matter-bound metals were analyzed at 14 sites in four large cities (Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Daegu) in South Korea, between August 2013 and June 2017. Among the seven sources resolved by positive matrix factorization, soil dust and marine aerosol accounted for the largest and second largest portions in the three cities; however, in Seoul, soil dust and traffic occupied the largest and the second largest, respectively. Non-carcinogenic risk assessed by inhalation of eight metals (Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, As, Al, Mn, and V) was greater than the hazard index (HI) of 1 at four sites located at or near the industrial complexes. Cumulative incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) due to exposure to five metals (Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, and As) exceeded the 10−6 cancer benchmark at 14 sites and 10−5 at six sites, which includes four sites with HI greater than 1. The largest contributor to ILCR was coal combustion in Seoul, Incheon, and Daegu, and industry sources in Busan. Moreover, industry sources were the largest contributors to non-carcinogenic risk in Seoul, Busan, and Daegu, and soil dust was in Incheon. Incheon had the highest HI in spring because of the higher contribution of soil dust sources than in other seasons. The higher ILCR in Incheon in spring and winter and higher ILCR and HI in Daegu in autumn were mainly due to the influence of industry or coal combustion sources. Statistically significant differences in the ILCR and HI values among the sampling sites in Busan and Daegu resulted from the higher contribution of industry sources at a certain site in the respective city.

Highlights

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) in the air has been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes, including respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer (WHO 2006)
The aim of this study was to compare the exposure to total suspended particles (TSP)-bound metals among people at 14 sites spread across four metropolitan cities in South Korea, apportion metal sources using positive matrix factorization (PMF), and estimate the contribution of metal sources to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks by inhalation of airborne metals
Airborne particulate matter-bound metals were analyzed at 14 sites in four metropolitan cities in South Korea between August 2013 and June 2017

Summary

Introduction

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) in the air has been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes, including respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer (WHO 2006). PM has strong potential for adsorbing toxic metals and entering the human body mainly by inhalation, which can result in acute or chronic adverse health effects (Li et al 2013). Metals, including heavy metals, are naturally occurring elements found throughout the earth’s crust. Environmental Science and Pollution Research contribute to metal pollution (Tchounwou et al 2012; Briffa et al 2020). The main cause of environmental pollution and human exposure to metals are due to anthropogenic activities such as mining, smelting and metal processing in foundries and refineries, coal burning in power plants, petroleum combustion, automobile operation, and roadworks (Tchounwou et al 2012; Briffa et al 2020). The small contribution of metals to total suspended particles (TSP), P M10, or P M2.5 concentration resulted in considerably less attention for metal elements (Farahani et al 2021)

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