Status and health risk assessment of chemical pollutants in the air of hotels and barber shops in Xining, China, 2021

Objective To investigate the pollution status and health risk characteristics of benzene, toluene, xylene, ammonia and formaldehyde, in the air of hotels and barber shops in Xinng, China, identifing the possible harmful substances, and provide a basis for the improvement and management of the sanitary conditions in public places in Xining.

Methods In 2021, chemical pollutants monitoring was performed for eighteen hotels and nine barbershops in Xining, and the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of chemical pollutants in the air of hotels and barbershops for employees were evaluated by using health risk assessment method.

Results In 2021, the concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene and ammonia in the air of hotels and barber shops did not exceed the national standard limit, and the values of the hazard quotient(HQ)of chronic non-carcinogenic effects were lower than 1. The carcinogenic risk value of formaldehyde was higher than 1×10^-4, with that of benzene being slightly higher than 1×10^-6.

Conclusion The exposure of ammonia, benzene, toluene and xylene in the air of hotels and barber shops in Xining did not exceed the threshold of adverse reactions, and the non-carcinogenic risk is low. Formaldehyde and benzene had potential carcinogenic risks to human health.