PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of a megacity in eastern China: Source apportionment and cancer risk assessment

Lian Duan; Huimin Yu; Qiongzhen Wang; Yibo Cao; Guochen Wang; Xueshi Sun; Hao Li; Tian Lin; Zhigang Guo

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161792

PM_2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of a megacity in eastern China: Source apportionment and cancer risk assessment

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Apr 15:869:161792. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161792. Epub 2023 Jan 24.

Authors

Lian Duan¹, Huimin Yu², Qiongzhen Wang³, Yibo Cao², Guochen Wang², Xueshi Sun², Hao Li², Tian Lin⁴, Zhigang Guo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), Shanghai 202162, China.
² Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
³ Environmental Science Research & Design Institute of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310007, China.
⁴ College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
⁵ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), Shanghai 202162, China. Electronic address: guozgg@fudan.edu.cn.

PMID: 36702280
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161792

Abstract

Ninety-six fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) samples covering four seasons from October 2020 to August 2021 were collected at a 'super' site in Hangzhou, a megacity in eastern China. These samples were analyzed to determine the sources and potential cancer risks to humans of 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The average concentrations of the PAHs in PM_2.5 in autumn, winter, spring, and summer were 8.35 ± 4.90, 27.9 ± 13.6, 8.3 ± 5.97, and 1.05 ± 0.50 ng/m³, respectively, and with an annual average of 11.9 ± 13.2 ng/m3. The source apportionment by positive matrix factorization analysis indicated that, based on the yearly average, the major sources of PAHs were traffic emissions (38.2 %), coal combustion (28.9 %), coke (21.7 %), and volatilization (11.1 %). Strong correlations between high concentrations of carbonaceous aerosols and high-molecular-weight PAHs in winter could be attributed to incomplete combustion. Long-range transport of air from the sea to the southeast resulted in low concentrations of carbonaceous aerosols and low-molecular-weight PAHs in summer. Trajectory clustering and the potential source contribution function both indicated that the Yangtze River Delta was the main source region of PAHs for PM_2.5 in Hangzhou in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, it was dominated by long-range transport from northern China. Lifetime lung cancer risk assessment revealed that the PAHs in PM_2.5 impose moderate human health risks in Hangzhou due to traffic emissions. The results of this study provide important information for policymakers to establish abatement strategies to reduce PAH emissions in Hangzhou, and perhaps other urban centers across China.

Keywords: LLCR; PAHs; PM(2.5); PSCF; Source apportionment.

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
China
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Humans
Neoplasms* / chemically induced
Neoplasms* / epidemiology
Particulate Matter / analysis
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons* / analysis
Risk Assessment
Seasons
Vehicle Emissions / analysis

Substances

Air Pollutants
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Particulate Matter
Vehicle Emissions