Sum Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Day–night variation, size distribution, source identification, and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter in Ulsan, South Korea

Particulate matter (PM) in 11 different sizes was collected at a semi-rural site in Ulsan, a multi-industrial city in South Korea, over one year from 2019 to 2020 to investigate the temporal patterns in size distribution and potential sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The mean concentration of Σ21 PAHs was higher in winter (0.29 and 0.45 ng/m3 for coarse and fine PM, respectively) than in summer (0.06 and 0.07 ng/m3). Although there was no statistically significant difference between day and night for the concentration of individual PAHs in both coarse and fine PM, the concentrations were generally higher during the day than at night. During the day, Σ21 PAHs had two distinct peaks (0.056–0.10 μm and 3.20–5.60 μm) in winter, but they tended to partition to larger particles (1.00–1.80 μm and >18.0 μm) in summer. This result suggests that the volatilization of PAHs in smaller particles was enhanced by high-temperature conditions in summer, followed by their condensation onto larger particles. At night, Σ21 PAH peaks were mainly around the size of 0.7 μm (droplet mode), suggesting the importance of heterogeneous-aqueous reactions. The results of the conditional bivariate probability function and concentration-weighted trajectory indicate that the high concentrations of PAHs in summer and winter were more affected by local pollution and long-range atmospheric transport, respectively. The results of the health risk assessment demonstrate that PAHs in fine PM contributed significantly to cancer risk compared to those in coarse PM. In conclusion, investigating the size distribution of PAHs in particles is necessary to understand their environmental behaviors and evaluate potential health risks.

Effect of changes in the fuel type of thermal power plants on the spatial distribution and levels of PAH pollution in the Vorkuta agglomeration beyond the Arctic Circle

The paper is a study of the composition of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the snow cover of Vorkuta (Komi Republic) in the impact zone of the fuel and energy complex in 2017 and 2023. We have identified high aerotechnogenic pollution of the Vorkuta city and adjacent territories with PAHs during heating with fuel oil and coal, with a mean concentration of 301.6 ng/L (meltwater plus particles) and spatial distribution of 85.2 μg/m2. There is a significant decrease in PAH levels when the fuel for thermal power plants has been changed to natural gas, with a mean concentration of 26.1 ng/L (meltwater plus particulates) and spatial distribution of 4.9 μg/m2. The deposition areas of different PAH fractions are identified in the impact zones of Thermal Power Plants 1 and 2, the Central Boiler House and the urbanised areas of the Vorkuta agglomeration. 2-4-ring PAHs dominate in the emissions, accounting for 92–100 % of the sum of PAHs from coal/oil combustion and 66–93 % from natural gas combustion. The indicator ratios of PAHs in the snow cover of Vorkuta in both 2017 and 2023 indicate their predominantly pyrogenic genesis. The environmental risk coefficients of PAHs in the snow cover and their change from 2017 to 2023 are calculated. TEQ changed from 2.1 ng/L (mean) in the 2017 season to 1.7 ng/L (mean) in the 2023 season. The risk quotients have been reduced from moderate risk to low risk. Reconstruction of thermal power plants when replaced by more environmentally friendly fuel (natural gas) reduces the amount of atmospheric emissions of organic pollutants.

Concurrent assessment of diffusive and advective PAH movement strongly affected by temporal and spatial changes

Chemical movement influences exposure, remediation and interventions. Understanding chemical movement in addition to chemical concentrations at contaminated sites is critical to informed decision making. Using seepage meters and passive sampling devices we assessed both diffusive and advective flux of bioavailable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at three time points, across two seasons, at a former creosote site in St. Helens, Oregon, United States. To our knowledge, this is the first time both diffusive and advective fluxes have been measured simultaneously at a contaminated site. Concentrations of 39 parent PAHs were determined by gas chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Across both seasons and all sites, diffusive flux of PAHs was up to three orders of magnitude larger than advective flux. Release of PAHs from sediments and water were identified, likely from legacy contamination, as well as deposition from the air into the site from contemporary and other sources. The majority of PAH movement was comprised of three and four ring PAHs. Chemical movement on the site was found to be spatially and temporally variable. Volatilization decreased and atmospheric deposition increased from summer to fall. At the locations with higher levels of contamination, sum PAH release from sediments decreased by more than two orders of magnitude from summer to late fall. These data reflect the spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability of this site and demonstrate the importance of seasonality in assessing chemical movement at contaminated sites. Results from this study can inform future legacy site assessments to optimize remediation strategies and assess remediation effectiveness.

Pollution status determination using trace metals and organic contaminants of the water column in coastal areas of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba: A baseline assessment

Herein, we aim to provide a baseline assessment of the pollution status of the water column in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia (Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba), using trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in seawater samples obtained from 71 sampling stations in June–July 2021. Concerning trace metals, the maximum concentrations for Co, Cu and Ni were detected in Al-Shuqaiq, whereas the highest Pb and Zn concentrations were found in the Jeddah lagoon waters. Elevated concentrations of TPHs and the highest sum of PAHs were recorded in surface waters of Al Lith, Jeddah lagoon and Jeddah Mena. Overall, the concentrations of all trace metals, TPHs and individual PAHs for which environmental standards have been stipulated for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fall well below the threshold values.

Characterization, sources, and risk assessment of PAHs in borehole water from the vicinity of an unlined dumpsite in Awka, Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contaminants of interest in the ecosystem due to associated health risks. Therefore, their detection in the environment is important. In this regard, the risk assessment of PAHs in borehole water near the unlined dumpsite in Anambra State was investigated. Samples of borehole water (16 each) were collected from the study and control areas during both seasons. The PAH concentrations in the borehole water samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. The mean PAH concentration in the study and control samples for the wet season varied from BL–7.65 µg/L to BL–2.98 µg/L, respectively. The study samples' dry season values ranged from BL to 3.33 µg/L, while control samples ranged from BL to 1.87 µg/L. sumPAHs for the wet and dry seasons varied from 5.8 to 13.94 µg/L and 4.25 to 10.09 µg/L for study and control samples, respectively. The four and five rings PAH were the most dominant group in the sum PAHs for the study and control samples, respectively. Diagnostic ratios suggested pyrolytic and petrogenic sources for both locations. The cluster analysis showed different sources of the congeners in the samples. The non-carcinogenic risk showed no possibility of risks via dermal and ingestion routes. In addition, the possibility of cancer risks via ingestion routes was doubtful. The carcinogenic risk index through dermal contact exceeded the acceptable limit for adults and is at a tolerable limit for children, indicating potential threats to humans, with adults more susceptible to cancer risks. Therefore, this study recommends that sanitary dumpsites be constructed for waste disposal and implementation of environmental laws to prevent underground water pollution and the environment.

Characteristics of contaminants in the polish-origin bee products and cancer risk assessment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pesticide residues, as well as assessment of cancer risk of the Polish-origin bee products. The bee product samples were prepared using a modified QuEChERS method, then PAHs and pesticides were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), neonicotinoids by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD), and HMF and furfural by spectrophotometry (HPLC-UV/Vis). The results showed that the highest furfural content was found in bee bread from the northeast part of Poland; moreover, samples obtained from the same region were also characterized with a higher level of HMF. The total sum of PAHs ranged from 324.0 to 866.4μg/kg; the highest content of PAH4 (the sum of benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene) was 21.0μg/kg, but only benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene were detected in the samples. Imidacloprid and acetamiprid were found only in bee bread from the northeast part of Poland, while clothianidin was detected in honey samples. The acceptable cancer risk has been calculated for PAHs due to ingestion of honey, while increasing the risk of cancer was calculated for bee bread and bee pollen. Due to the high concentration of PAHs and excessively high recommended consumption dose, regular consumption of bee bread and pollen may pose a severe threat to human health and should be strictly limited.

Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Content in Garden Herbal Plants Using Liquid Chromatographic Analysis (HPLC-FL).

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of chemical compounds generated as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels or wood. PAHs are known for their negative effect on living organisms, including teratogenic, carcinogenic and mutagenic activity. The objective of this study is to determine the contamination of three popular herbal species showing pro-health properties, i.e., lavender, parsley and mint, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, collected from three different backyard gardens in Poland. The concentration of PAHs in plant material was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FL). The concentration of eleven PAHs in plant material was determined with high-pressure liquid chromatography after extraction using the QuEChERS purification technique. Mint collected within an area of a mining and energy production complex (the city of Konin) was characterized by the highest Σ of 11 PAHs, equaled to 902.35 µg/g FW, with anthracene being the most abundant compound. However, it contained the lowest sum of PAHs, among all tested plants, with high carcinogenicity. Parsley from the city of Poznań showed the highest content of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), showing the strongest carcinogenicity, while the highest value of BaP equivalent was calculated for mint collected in Konin. The obtained results suggest that the level and profile of plant contamination with PAHs depend on the species and the location of herb cultivation. In particular, mining and energy industry facilities are sources of PAHs, which contaminate plant material for further direct use or as bioactive herbal extracts.

OCCURRENCE OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN BOTTOM ASH FROM INDIVIDUAL HEATING DEVICES

Combustion of solid fuels such as coal, biomass and, contrary to the applicable law, waste in individual heating devices still remains a serious problem in Poland. It causes the generation of large amounts of pollutants and harmful substances contained not only in fly ash released into the air with smoke but also in the bottom ash, which constitutes a serious environmental problem. This paper presents the results of a comparative study on the contents of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bottom ash from the combustion of hard coal (HC), wood (W) and a mixture of different solid fuels including municipal waste (MW), their sums and profiles. For the bottom ash samples taken for these fuels, the share of carcinogenic congeners in the sum of PAHs, toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity equivalents have also been determined. The highest content of total PAHs, amounting to an average of 20.7 ppb, was recorded for bottom ash obtained from combustion of a mixture of solid fuels and waste. For such ash, the toxicity and carcinogenicity equivalents were approximately twice as high as for other types of ash. Bottom ash was found to be dominated by benzo[a]anthracene, and the tetracyclic congeners accounted for 60-68% of all PAHs (W<MW<HC). Regardless of the origin of the bottom ash, approximately 60% of the total PAHs were constituted by carcinogenic compounds.

Optimized LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to PM2.5: Sources and health risk in Indo-Gangetic Plain

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a serious health threat when it is bound to hazardous pollutants like phthalic acid esters (PAEs) (endocrine disruptors) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, an optimized method was developed and validated for the simultaneous screening and quantification of PAEs (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis (2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP)) and PAHs (benzo[a]anthracene (B[a]A), benzo[b]fluorenthene (B[b]F), benzo[k]fluorenthene (B[k]F), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), dibenzo[ah]anthracene (D[ah]A), benzo[ghi]perylene (B[ghi]P), and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IND)) bound to ambient PM2.5 using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The developed method exhibited excellent linearity (r2 > 0.99), precision error less than 10%, good recovery percentages (90%–120%, except for DMP ≈ 65%). After the validation, this method was deployed to investigate the seasonal variation and source identification of targeted compounds bound to ambient PM2.5 at a measurement site in the North West Indo-Gangetic Plain (NWIGP). In this study, the most abundant PAE and PAH are DEHP (17.94 ng m−3) and B[b]F (36.13 ng m−3), respectively. Measured concentrations of B[a]P, Group 1 carcinogen (4.66 ng m−3) had exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, India (1 ng m−3). Diagnostic ratios (DRs) revealed that fossil fuel/diesel combustions are the major emission sources of PAHs in summer and monsoon while biomass/coal combustions in winter season at the sampling site. Further, incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for adults and children due to exposure to PM2.5 bound DEHP (adults: 0.3678 × 10−6 and children: 0.8792 × 10−6) and B[a]Peq (adults: 1.40 × 10−5 and children: 3.272 × 10−5) were estimated. Estimated ILCR values for B[a]Peq exceeded the threshold value (1 × 10−6) set by USEPA. Findings in this study reveal that the health risk due to exposure to PAEs and PAHs bound to PM2.5 should be of concern.

Assessment of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contamination of the Red Sea with Endemic Fish from Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) as Bioindicator of Aquatic Environmental Pollution

The aim of this study was to determine whether endemic coral fish commonly consumed by Jeddah residents could serve as bioindicators of oil contamination. In addition, we planned to investigate the relationship between amino acid changes and hydrocarbon concentrations in fish tissue. The composition of amino acids was analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization. An analytical study of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total petroleum hydrocarbons was conducted by combining gas chromatography with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied using Statgraphics software to determine the impact of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total petroleum hydrocarbons on the amino acid profile of three species of fish. In addition, the bioconcentration factor was estimated in the studied species and was used to validate the results obtained from the multivariate analysis. Based on the results of the study, the sum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with two cycles, and with five to six cycles, is in reverse order in Plectropomus pessuliferus with respect to Epinephelus tauvina and Cephalopholis argus. The factor analysis showed high factor scores for aspartic acid, glutamic acid, tyrosine, chrysene, and total petroleum hydrocarbons, and for lipids and benzo(g,h,i)perylene, which could be explained by bioaccumulation. It was concluded that the high proportions of glutamic acid (8.32–11.10%) and aspartic acid (6.06–8.27%) in the muscles of the studied species are a sign of contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons. The incremental lifetime cancer risk values for the three endemic fish exceeded the limit value (>10−5), indicating a high potential cancer risk for the Saudi population.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Siberian Arctic seas sediments

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the main persistent organic pollutants in the Arcticwhich enter the polar region from lower latitudes by air transport and ocean currents and accumulate in marine sediments. This work represents the first study in 25 years of the least studied and hard-to-reach areas of Siberian arctic seas. Sixteen priority PAHs as well as 1- and 2-methylnaphthalenes were analyzed by gas chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry in the twenty-four sediment samples taken from Kara, Laptev and East Siberian Seas in October 2020. The obtained sum concentrations ranged from 31 to 223 ng/ g with the greatest contribution of phenanthrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, as well as naphthalene and its methyl derivatives while the greatest PAH levels were observed in Laptev Sea. No correlations between sum PAH concentration, total organic carbon and black carbon contents were found. The toxic equivalent in benzo[a]pyrene units was from 2.2–18.2 ng/ g that shows the general safe environmental situation in the region. The overall PAH level is comparable with the data obtained in 1990s which indicates a long-term persistence of pollution despite an overall decline in global PAH emissions. The main sources of PAHs involve mainly coal/biomass and liquid fuel combustion with weaker contribution of petroleum sources.

Cryoconites as biogeochemical markers of anthropogenic impact in high mountain regions: analysis of polyaromatic pollutants in soil-like bodies

The globalisation and omnidirectional character of anthropogenic processes has challenged scientists around the world to estimate the harmful effects of these processes on ecosystems and human health. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is one the most infamous group of contaminants, originated both from natural and anthropogenic processes. They could transport to high latitudes and altitudes through atmospheric long-distance transfer and further enter ecosystems of these vulnerable regions by deposition on terrestrial surfaces. An interesting object for tracking transboundary contamination processes in high mountain ecosystems is called cryoconite. Cryoconite, a dark-coloured supraglacial sediment which is abundant in polar and mountain environments, is considered as a storage of various pollutants, including PAHs. Thus, it may pose a risk for local human health and ecosystem through short-distance transfer. Studied cryoconite sediments were collected at the surface of Skhelda and Garabashi glaciers, Central Caucasus high-mountain region, as well as mudflow, moraine material and local soils at the Baksan Gorge in order to examine levels of their contamination. We analysed the content of 15 priority polyaromatic compounds from the US EPA list and used the method of calculation of PAHs isomer ratios with the purpose of identifying their source. To estimate their potential toxicity, Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) equivalents were calculated. Maximum concentration was defined for NAP (84 ng×g-1), PHE (40 ng×g-1) and PYR (47 ng×g-1), with the minimum concentration for ANT (about 1 ng×g-1). The most polluted material is a cryoconite from Garabashi glacier because of local anthropogenic activities and long-distance transfer. High-molecular weight PAHs are dominated in PAHs composition of almost all samples. The most common sources of PAHs in studied materials are combustion processes and mixed pyrolytic/petrogenic origin. Toxicity levels of separate PAHs did not exceed the maximum permissible threshold concentrations values in most cases. However, the sum of PAHs in BaP equivalents exceed the threshold values in all samples, in some of them more than twice.

Kontaminace příbřežních sedimentárních těles řeky Odry u Bohumína organickými polutanty

The aim of this study is to investigate present-day contamination levels of selected organic pollutants (POPs) in channel side bars and identify their sources. The studied area is located on the Odra River in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic (at the border between the Czech Republic and Poland), between the city Bohumín and Odra´s confluence with Olše River. Sediment samples were taken directly from the channel side bars and subsequently measured for grain size analysis, concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and specific biomarkers (terpenoids). Three main facies were recognized in channel side bars. Grain-size analysis showed the predominance of silt fraction, followed by variable sand contents, whereas the contents of clay fraction were almost stable. No statistically significant correlation was found between grain size and the concentrations of POPs except a weak correlation between PAHs, PCBs and sand fraction. POPs including PAHs, PCBs and OCPs showed high variability. In all samples, the sum of PAHs (maximumvalue of 78.1 mg kg-1) greatly exceeded the Czech preventive limit for dry soil. The sources of PAHs were analysed by employing diagnostic ratios and plots of specific PAH compounds. The results showed a high degree of correspondence suggesting a petrogenic origin associated with direct input into the river system. Relatively high concentrations of PAHs are a consequence of the vicinity of the pollution source and location in natural river reach enabling sedimentation of polluted sediments. Concentrations of PCB, hexachlorobenzene and DDT metabolites were almost insignificant in most of the samples, except for several samples having higher PCB values (maximum value of 47.6 μg kg-1). Specific biomarker compounds were used as an indicator of the presence of fossil matter, and H29 17α(H),21β(H) hopane showed the highest concentrations. The homohopane index indicated petroleum and vehicle exhausts origin. TOC revealed a positive correlation with specific biomarkers (homo hopanes and 16 α(H)- phyllocladane, hexachlorbenzene and PCB.

Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in roadside soils at traffic light intersections (Bratislava, Slovakia): concentrations, sources and influencing factors.

Combustion of fossil fuels is the most important source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment. Cities are typical of many human activities which are dependent on fossil fuels (road and railway transport, heat generation, waste incineration and industry) on a small area, leading to high concentrations of PAHs in urban air, dust and soil. The aim of this study was to determine the possible influence of urban traffic on the accumulation of sixteen priority PAHs in soils (n = 132 at two soil depths of 0-10cm and 10-20cm) taken at intersections (n = 37) with different traffic volumes and road ages. Variable concentrations of the sum of PAHs (∑16PAH) ranging from 188 to 21,950μg/kg with a mean and median of 3021μg/kg and 1930μg/kg were recorded, respectively. Concentrations of PAHs positively correlated with soil organic carbon content (TOC) (rSpearman = 0.518; p <0.001). Statistically significant positive correlations between ∑16PAH concentrations and traffic volume/road age were found in this study (rSpearman = 0.689/0.619; p <0.001), while ∑16PAH concentration decreased with increasing distance from the road edge and was statistically lower at a soil depth of 10-20cm than at 0-10cm (p <0.05). Multivariate statistical methods (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) applied to log-ratio transformed data (clr) to decrease the constant sum constraint coupled with positive matrix factorisation (PMF) modelling pointed to the dominance of pyrogenic emission sources, with 62.1% traffic-related (petrol and diesel emissions, liquid fuel and motor oil spills, and tyre wear) according to PMF results.

Hourly measurement of PM2.5-bound nonpolar organic compounds in Shanghai: Characteristics, sources and health risk assessment

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-bound nonpolar organic compounds (NPOCs), including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkanes, are commonly used as typical molecular markers for detailed source identification. Online thermal desorption aerosol gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TAG) system can obtain ambient data with hourly resolution, which is of great importance for investigating the diurnal characteristics and refined source identification of NPOCs. From June to October 2020, hourly ambient aerosol samples were collected and analyzed to investigate the characteristics and sources of 14 PAHs and 15 alkanes (C21-C35) in PM2.5 using TAG at a suburban site of Baoshan district in Shanghai, China. The average concentration of summed PAHs and alkanes during the sampling period was 1.27 ± 1.4 ng/m3 and 8.87 ± 3.46 ng/m3, respectively, in which Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), Benzo[ghi]perylene (BghiP) and Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IcdP) are the dominant PAHs species, with n-Heptacosane (C27), n-Nonacosane (C29) and n-Hentriacontane (C31) being the most abundant n-alkane species. Carbon preference index (CPI) and carbon maximum (Cmax) number indicated that the sources of alkanes shifted from biogenic-oriented (such as plant wax) in the summer to anthropogenic-dominated (such as fossil fuels) in the autumn. Results from trajectory cluster analysis and potential source contribution function (PSCF) modeling showed that alkanes were mainly from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Plain including Anhui, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang provinces, while PAHs were mainly from northeastern China. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model results indicated that gasoline (41.48%) and diesel (21.82%) were the two major sources of PM2.5-bound PAHs in summer and fall of 2020 in Shanghai, followed by coal consumption or catering (19.96%) and biomass burning (16.74%). Diurnal variation of PAHs sources resolved by PMF showed characteristic features consistent with the corresponding anthropogenic activities. For example, gasoline vehicle exhaust showed higher concentrations during traffic rush hours; while coal consumption or catering presented higher concentrations during lunch times from 10:00 to 12:00. In addition, the TAG data coupling with PMF also can be capable for source appointment of short-duration episodes. Health risk assessment showed that adult women were at greater lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) than people in other age groups, and people may subject to higher health risks at morning and night time. This work demonstrates that hourly NPOCs measured by TAG are uniquely specific on refined source identification and investigation into the characteristics of diurnal variations.

A survey on thermal processing contaminants occurrence in dark craft beers

Craft beers manufactured by small local breweries are becoming increasingly popular throughout the world due to their unique composition, taste and flavor. However, the ingredients used in brewing might lead to thermal processing contaminants in the final product. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of acrylamide (AA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in dark craft beers available in Poland and the Czech Republic. The samples were prepared using a modified QuEChERS method that had been optimized and validated in-house; they were then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The results showed that PAHs were found in most of the analyzed beer samples. The total sum of PAHs ranged from 6.43 to 26.93 μg kg−1; the highest level of PAH4 content was 2.79 μg kg−1. Only three beer samples were free of any heavy PAHs. 3-MCPD and AA were also detected in all the beers, reaching levels of 14.0 μg kg−1 and 363 μg kg−1, respectively. The levels of 3-MCPD and AA were significantly higher in Polish beers than in beers from the Czech Republic. Higher amounts of 3-MCPD were found in beers containing roasted malt. A risk assessment was conducted for 3-MCPD and PAHs; it indicated that consumption of the examined beer samples should not cause any risk to human health. However, due to the high levels of acrylamide, regular consumption of dark beers poses a serious threat to human health and therefore should be strictly limited.

Chemometric analysis of air pollutants in raw and thermally treated coals – Low-emission fuel for domestic applications, with a reduced negative impact on air quality

The emission of pollutants into the air during the combustion of solid fuels in households is still a significant problem in many European Union countries, including Poland. These emissions are a significant source of many air pollutants formed during incomplete combustion and has been identified as one of the leading environmental risk factors for these populations. One of the solutions is to utilise thermally processed solid fuels. This article discusses the concentrations of pollutants emitted as a result of the combustion of conventional fuels and new low-emission fuel in out-of-class heaters. To gain better insight into the relationships between fuel type and flue gas quality, chemometric methods and variance analysis were used. Principal component analysis confirmed that the fuel type significantly influences the level of dust emissions and the total organic carbon and sum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the dust. Clustering analysis identified how the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons correlate with the amounts of dust and total organic carbon and showed that this correlation is proportional to the size of the molecule and consequently the number of aromatic rings. The use of low-emission fuel as a solid fuel in households, as our analyses have shown, can reduce the concentrations of dust, total organic carbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by up to 50 times, thereby reducing air pollutants in cities.

Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in relation to anthropometric measures and pubertal development in a cohort of Northern California girls.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of ubiquitous, environmental chemicals that may have endocrine disrupting capabilities. We investigated whether childhood exposure to PAHs was associated with adiposity and pubertal timing in a longitudinal study of 404 girls enrolled in the Northern California site of the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program cohort. Baseline urinary samples from girls aged 6-8-years-old were assayed for 2-naphthol, fluorene metabolites, phenanthrene metabolites, 1-hydroxypyrene, and sum of PAH metabolites. Mixed-effects linear models were used to estimate how concentrations of PAH metabolites were related to changes in girl's body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio from age 7 through 16 years old. Accelerated failure time models were used to estimate age of pubertal onset (Tanner stages 2 or higher for breast and pubic hair development). Higher adiposity measurements among high tertiles of baseline PAH metabolites were evident at age 7 years old and increased thereafter (i.e., BMI for all PAH metabolites, waist-to-height ratio for fluorene and phenanthrene metabolites) or leveled off (i.e., waist-to-height ratio for 2-naphthol, 1-hydroxypyrene, sum of PAHs). Among girls overweight/obese at baseline, median age of breast development onset for high tertiles was 9.1-9.4 years old compared with 10-10.2 years old for low tertiles for all PAH metabolites; in contrast, found no association or slightly later onset of breast development for girls with normal weight at baseline. These results suggest that exposure to specific PAHs during childhood may influence adiposity throughout adolescence and effect pubertal timing.

Assessment of cancer risk of microplastics enriched with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abundance of microplastics in aquatic and marine ecosystems is contaminating the seafood and it is leading to transfer of toxic pollutants to human beings. In this article, we report the hazardous nature and cancer risk of microplastics which originate from e-waste. Capture of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) onto microplastics by adsorption phenomena and an assessment of probable cancer risk of ingested PAHs enriched microplastics by human beings have been investigated. The adsorption equilibrium was well fit for the Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption capacity of carcinogenic PAHs on microplastics was ranged from 46 to 236 μg g−1 and the maximum binding was achieved within 45 min in water. The leachate derived from microplastics of e-waste were highly hazardous in nature, for example, the sum of PAHs was 3.17 mg L−1 which is about 1000 times higher than the standard for benzo[a]pyrene, a congener of PAHs. The calculated cancer risk in terms of lifetime of microplastic ingestion would be 1.13 × 10−5 for children and 1.28 × 10−5 for adults and these values are higher than the recommended value of 106. The abundance of microplastics could transfer hazardous pollutants to seafood (e.g., fishes and prawns) leading to cancer risk in human beings.

Monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using passive air samplers in Seoul, South Korea: Spatial distribution, seasonal variation, and source identification

Abstract Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is one of the largest megacities in northeast Asia. Previous studies have monitored atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Seoul, but few have produced highly spatially resolved data. In this study, a total of 144 polyurethane foam-passive air samplers (PUF-PASs) were deployed at 36 sites (4 road, 26 urban, and 6 background sites) in Seoul during the summer of 2016 and the winter of 2017. The concentrations of Σ13 PAHs fell within a range of 2.6–49.9 ng/m3 in summer and 15.5–77.8 ng/m3 in winter. Low-molecular-weight PAHs with 3–4 rings were dominant (accounting for about 97% of all PAHs) at all sampling sites in both seasons compared to high-molecular-weight PAHs with 5–6 rings. Phenanthrene was the most abundant individual compound, accounting for 35–54% and 42–52% of the total PAHs in summer and winter, respectively. The spatial distribution of PAHs was determined by traffic, domestic heating, topography, transport, and meteorological conditions. The concentration of PAHs at the road sites was higher than at the urban and background sites, indicating that vehicular exhaust was a major source in both seasons. In addition, diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis revealed the influence of various sources, such as gasoline and diesel emissions and coal and biomass combustion. Backward air trajectory analysis highlighted the influence of long-range transport from northern China and North Korea during the winter, whereas the influence of local emissions and satellite cities appeared to dominate during the summer. In conclusion, passive air sampling was successfully employed to identify major sources of PAHs in an Asian megacity, indicating that it could produce data with a high spatial resolution for use in human risk assessment and air monitoring networks.