Human health risk assessment in PM₁₀‐bound trace elements, seasonal patterns, and source apportionment study in a critically polluted coking coalfield area of India

Abstract

Jharia Coalfield (JCF) has been affected by coalmine fire and subsidence problems for several years. The emission of particulate pollutants is due to the history of unscientific and unregulated coal mining in the JCF area. In the present study (conducted in the year 2019), seasonal variations, possible causes, and human health hazards of particulate matter (PM10)‐bound trace metals like Cd, Cu, Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, Co, Pb, Zn, and As were estimated. The mean concentration of PM10 (418 ± 67 µg/m3) exceeded the limit of NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards India, 2009) by a factor of 4.18. PM10‐bound trace metal concentrations were found in the order of Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Co > Ni > Cd > As. The maximum trace metal concentrations of all the metals studied were observed at the mining areas of JCF affected by coalmine fire. Human health carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks in children and adults were estimated through exposure pathways, ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. The cancer risk was evaluated as excess cancer risk (ECR). Noncancer risk estimates were evaluated as the hazard index (HI) and the hazard quotient (HQ). The HI and HQ values for Cr, Cu, Cd, As, and Pb at coalmine‐fire‐affected areas were observed to be higher than the value of safe dose (≤1), showing a possible noncarcinogenic risk to the inhabitants as a result of multielemental toxicity. The ECR values (>10−6) in JCF areas suggested a carcinogenic risk to the populace of the area, owing to inhalation of PM10‐linked Cd. Active mine fire (related to mining activities), higher transportation load, and resuspended particulate matter from road transportation were identified as the possible causes of the estimated risks based on principal component analysis and Pearson correlation analyses. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:469–478. © 2021 SETAC

Interaction mechanism and spatial effect of cross‐regional haze pollution based on a multisectoral economy–energy–environment (3E) model and the evidence from China

“…On one hand, extensive studies have revealed that haze pollution is an atmospheric environmental phenomenon that causes a significant decrease in visibility. It is generally believed that its formation cause and mechanism are very complicated, because the material sources are extensive, and its promoting conditions and spatiotemporal evolutionary processes are dynamically changeable (Hyslop, 2009; Singh & Singh, 2022; Ye et al, 2003). However, previous studies have failed to construct a consensus conceptual model that comprehensively reflects the substance origins, promoting conditions, and inner attributes of regional haze pollution (Chang et al, 2020).…”