Unravelling the chemical speciation and sources of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Air pollution is a major environmental human health risk in African cities, largely due to the rapidly growing urban population, unregulated traffic and industrial emissions, and inadequate regulations and pollution control policies. Currently, about a million premature deaths are linked to air pollution in Africa, and the related health burden is projected to increase. However, data on PM2.5 chemical characterization and source contribution, needed to address the air pollution challenges and inform policies, is currently limited and/ or inadequate for most African cities. In this view, year-round PM2.5 quartz filter samples were collected in Nairobi city and analyzed for mass concentration and PAHs (known for their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties). The average PM2.5 concentration was determined at 27 ± 6 µgm-3, exceeding the World Health Organization 24-h health guideline. The PAHs concentration ranged between 5 - 20 ng m-3 and were dominated by the heavy molecular weight PAHs (>4 rings). Molecular diagnostic ratios further revealed that the PAHs predominantly originate from combustion sources, such as traffic emissions. Overall, this study signal to a severe health concern, and provide information that can be exploited for policy formulation and air pollution mitigation strategies in Nairobi, as well as other African cities.