Pollution characteristics of metals in PM_2.5 and their health risk assessment in Dezhou and Jinan of Shandong Province, China, 2019

Objective To analyze the pollution characteristics and health risks of metals in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in the channel cities of Dezhou and Jinan, Shandong Province, 2019.

Methods The enrichment factor method and principal component analysis were used to analyze the sources of metals in atmospheric PM_2.5 at sampling points in Dezhou and Jinan in 2019, and the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals were evaluated based on the health risk model.

Results The concentration levels of metal elements in atmospheric PM_2.5 at the sampling points in Dezhou were in the order of Zn>K>Fe>Ca>Mn>Pb>Cu>As>Cr>Ti>Ni, and those at the sampling points in Jinan were Ca>Fe>K>Zn>Cu >Pb>Mn>Ti>Cr>As>Ni. As, Zn and Pb were heavily enriched in PM_2.5 at the sampling point in Dezhou, while Cu was slightly enriched. Zn and Cu were heavily enriched in PM_2.5 of Jinan sampling point, while Pb and Ni were slightly enriched. The principal component analysis result showed that the main sources of pollution in the two cities were coal combustion, industrial smelting pollution, and vehicle exhaust. Health risk asscssment showed that the non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals in PM_2.5 in Dezhou and Jinan was low, but As and Cr have potential carcinogenic risks, especially for children.

Conclusion Attention should be paid to the impact of loal burning and motor vehicle exhaust on populations' health.