Transmission characteristics, source apportionment and health risk assessment of PM2.5 in a typical industrial city in Northwest China

Abstract

To study the source of PM2.5 in Jiayuguan and the effects of heavy metals on human health, from December 2019 to November 2020, 3 sampling points were set up in a background area, commercial area and industrial area in Jiayuguan to collect PM2.5 samples and measure the concentrations of 16 heavy metals. Based on the Meteoinfo and positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, the potential source areas and sources of PM2.5 were determined, and the health risks of heavy metals in PM2.5 to different groups were determined by the EPA health risk assessment method. The results showed that PM2.5 pollution in winter and spring was relatively serious, and the heavy metals with higher concentrations in PM2.5 were Mg, Al, Ca, and Fe. The strong potential source areas were mainly located in the Badain Jaran Desert, Qaidam Basin, Lop Nur area, Hexi Corridor area, and the northern Taklimakan Desert. The sources of heavy metals in PM2.5 included coal combustion, soil dust, cement dust, traffic sources, and industrial sources. The results of the health risk assessment indicated that the heavy metals in local PM2.5 had no significant carcinogenic or noncarcinogenic risks, but the health risks of Cr and Mn should still be considered.