Combined effects of vehicles and waste incineration on urban air halogenated and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

Traffic emissions and waste incineration are the main sources of PAHs in urban atmosphere, but their spatially superimposed effects are currently unclear. This study assessed the spatial distribution of PAHs and HPAHs concentrations in the atmosphere of Shenzhen by simulating the spatial and temporal dispersion of PAHs and HPAHs emissions from on-road vehicles and municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs). Generally, the concentrations of PAHs and HPAHs were higher on workdays than on weekends due to higher traffic volumes, while the prevailing wind direction of the northeast could cause more widespread dispersion of PAHs and HPAHs within Shenzhen's atmosphere. After superimposing the spatial distribution of pollutants emitted by vehicles and MSWIs, PAHs within 1000 m downwind of MSWIs are mainly contributed by MSWIs and beyond 1000 m by vehicles. The cancer risk values induced by exposure to PAHs and HPAHs via inhalation in Shenzhen were below the acceptable risk level for males and females in each age group, while adults faced the highest cancer risk, followed by adolescents and children. However, spatially, the cancer risk values were above the priority risk level for adult males in localized high-traffic areas in Futian and Luohu districts.

Keywords: Atmospheric dispersion profile; Combined effects; Health risk; High-resolution emission characteristic; Parent and halogenated PAHs.