The Levels and Potential Carcinogenic Risks of PAHs in Liaohe Estuarine Reed Wetland Soils.

Abstract

Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified by GC/MS in 30 soil samples of Liaohe estuarine reed wetland. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 235 to 374ngg-1, and seven carcinogenic PAHs concentrations were in the range of 83-109ngg-1. A probabilistic carcinogenic potential for three age groups (including children, teenagers, and adults) exposed to soil PAHs via three pathways was quantitatively calculated based on Monte Carlo simulations. The 95th percentiles carcinogenic risks of PAHs for children, teenagers, and adults were 7.80×10-8, 4.03×10-8, and 1.14×10-7, respectively. The carcinogenic risk levels were all below 10-6, indicating no potential for cancer development. Dermal contact and accident ingestion of soil were the dominant exposure pathways to soil PAHs. BaP and DBahA were the major contributors to carcinogenic risk in this study.Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that exposure duration and PAH concentrations in soil were the key exposure parameters in calculating carcinogenic risk. Results from this study will provide valuable information for potential scientific evaluation and prevention for carcinogenic risk exposed to soil PAHs.