Concentration Characteristics of Metal Elements in PM_2.5 and the Chronic Health Risk Assessment in a Severe Air Polluted Area of Jinan

Objectives Analyzing the concentration characteristics of metal elements in PM_2.5 in a severe air polluted area of Jinan, and estimating the chronic health risk of these metals.

Methods The concentration of ten metals, including Be, Hg, Cd, Ni, Sb, Se, As, Mn, Pb and Al, in PM_2.5 samples were monitored monthly from November 2013 to December 2016 at Licheng district, a severe air polluted area in Jinan. Using s standard method proposed by USEPA to assess the chronic health risk of metal elements in PM_2.5.

Results The average concentration of PM_2.5 was (109.7±65.7) μg/m³. The average concentration of metal elements for Be, Hg, Cd, Ni, Sb, Se, As, Mn, Pb, and Al in PM_2.5 were (0.05±0.06), (0.23±0.19), (2.97±2.21), (4.1±3.3), (5.29±3.51), (6.4±4.4), (12.0±10.4), (41.5±28.0), (125.9±88.9) and (235.4±181.9) ng/m³, respectively. The concentration of metal elements was higherin winter. The HQ was (0.80±0.69) for As and (0.83±0.56) for Mn. The carcinogenic risk was (2.22×10^-5±1.91×10^-5) for As, (2.29×10^-6±1.70×10^-6) for Cd and (6.47×10^-7±4.57×10^-7) for Pb. The chronic health risk of Hg, Al, Se, Sb, Be and Ni was relatively low.

Conclusions The pollution of PM_2.5 in the air was serious in Jinan. The chronic health risk of As, Mn, Cd and Pb in PM_2.5 were higher, and should be taken seriously.