Spatiotemporal patterns of PM2.5 elemental composition over China and associated health risks

Abstract

Trace metals in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) are a serious threat to public health. Although pollution from toxic metals has been investigated in many Chinese cities, the spatial and temporal patterns in PM2.5 remain largely unknown. Long-term PM2.5 field sampling in 11 cities, combined with a systemic literature survey covering 51 cities, provides the first comprehensive database of 21 PM2.5-bound trace metals in China. Our results revealed that PM2.5 elemental compositions varied greatly, with generally higher levels in North China, especially for crustal elements. Pollution with Cr, As, and Cd was most serious, with 61, 38, and 16 sites, respectively, surpassing national standards, including some in rural areas. Local emissions, particularly from metallurgical industries, were the dominant factors driving the distribution in polluted cities such as Hengyang, Yuncheng, and Baiyin, which are mainly in North and Central China. Elevated As, Cd, and Cr levels in Yunnan, Guizhou Province within Southwest China were attributed to the high metal content of local coal. Diverse temporal trends of various elements that differed among regions indicated the complexity of emission patterns across the country. The results demonstrated high non-carcinogenic risks for those exposed to trace metals, especially for children and residents of heavily cities highly polluted with As, Pb, or Mn. The estimated carcinogenic risks ranged from 6.61 × 10−6 to 1.92 × 10−4 throughout China, with As being the highest priority element for control, followed by Cr and Cd. Regional diversity in major toxic metals was also revealed, highlighting the need for regional mitigation policies to protect vulnerable populations.