Abstract:
Objective To assess the changing trends in the content and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals/metalloids in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Tianjin, China from 2016 to 2022.
Methods From 2016 to 2022, PM2.5 sampling was conducted for 7 days per month at sampling points set in different districts of Tianjin. The filter membranes were examined for the concentrations of 16 PAHs and 12 metals/metalloids, including naphthalene, acenaphthylene, fluorene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzoaanthracene, benzobfluoranthene, benzokfluoranthene, benzoapyrene, dibenzoa, hanthracene, benzog, h, iperylene, indeno1, 2, 3-cdpyrene, and antimony, aluminum, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, and thallium. The adult health risks of some PAHs and metals/metalloids were assessed according to the Technical Specifications for Health Risk Assessment of Ambient Air Pollution and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) risk assessment method.
Results Over time since 2016, the concentrations of the 16 PAHs all decreased (all P < 0.05); the concentrations of antimony, aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese, selenium, thallium, and mercury decreased (all P < 0.05); the concentration of beryllium increased (P < 0.05); and chromium and nickel had no significant changes (both P>0.05). In 2022, at the median concentration, the excess carcinogenic risks (ECRs) for total PAHs, arsenic, and chromium were 1.13×10-6, 1.81×10-5, and 5.17×10-6, respectively, and the hazard quotients (HQs) of PAHs and metals/metalloids were < 1. When the concentration was at the 95th percentile, the HQs of benzoapyrene and PAHs were 1.47 and 6.47, respectively, and the ECRs were 2.92×10-6 and 1.28×10-5, respectively; and the HQ of manganese was 1.10, and the ECRs of chromium, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel were 1.50×10-4, 5.15×10-5, 3.49×10-6, and 3.33×10-6, respectively.
Conclusion There are downward trends in the concentrations and health risks of most PAHs and metals/metalloids in atmospheric PM2.5 in Tianjin, with significant decreasing trends in the carcinogenic risks of some components including PAHs, chromium, and arsenic.