Particle‐associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a representative urban location (indoor‐outdoor) from South Europe: Assessment of potential sources and cancer risk to humans

Abstract

PM10‐bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels were monitored at urban locations (outdoor/indoor) within the city of Madrid between May 2017 and April 2018. Fourteen PAH congeners were measured, potential emission sources were identified as were potential carcinogenic risks. The ΣPAHs averaged 0.577 and 0.186 ng/m3 in outdoor and indoor air, with a high linear correlation per individual mean PAH and month. The largest contributors to the ΣPAHs were the high‐molecular‐weight PAHs. Principal component analysis‐multiple linear regression results showed that emissions from diesel and vehicular processes explained 27% and 23% of the total variance of outdoor and indoor air, while combustion processes accounted for 30% and 25% in ambient and indoor air, respectively. During the cold season, biomass burning plus coal and wood combustion were additional sources of outdoor emissions. The heavy‐, medium‐ and light‐molecular‐weight PAH originating from outdoor sources accounted for 72%, 80%, and ~60% of the indoor levels of the three respective PAH groups. Average BaP concentration was 0.029 and 0.016 ng/m3 in outdoor and indoor air, respectively. Estimated BaPeq concentration averaged 0.072, 0.035, and 0.027 ng/m3 for outdoor, indoor, and indoor‐generated individual PAH concentrations, respectively. The estimated carcinogenic risk falls within the range of acceptable risk targeted by the US‐EPA.

The Exposome in Human Evolution: From Dust to Diesel

“…Indoor or indoor air pollution includes ingressing AAP, plus cigarette smoke, and smoke from household (domestic) burning of wood and dung for cooking and heating. Myriad chemicals also enter indoor air from paint, cleaning and household products, and fabrics (Finch 2018;Anonymous 2019;Madruga et al 2019).…”

Extensive evaluation and classification of low‐cost dust sensors in laboratory using a newly developed test method

“…Figure 9 represents the percentages of sensor grade depending on PM for all test sensors. The accuracy of the low-cost dust sensors is higher for detecting smaller sized particles, that is, PM 1 , compared with PM 2.5 and PM 10 . For instance, the Class 1 satisfaction ratio for PM 1 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10 is 32%, 26%, and 16%, respectively.…”

“…Air pollution associated with PM concentrations has been studied significantly on its adverse effects . Fine airborne particles, PM 2.5 (particle size less than or equal to 2.5 μm), have been considered one of the highest health risks, causing numerous diseases including lung cancer, arrhythmia, asthma, pneumonitis, and cardiovascular mortality . The first key factor for effective management of air pollution is to continuously monitor air quality by measuring PM concentrations.…”

“…1-4 Fine airborne particles, PM 2.5 (particle size less than or equal to 2.5 μm), have been considered one of the highest health risks, causing numerous diseases including lung cancer, arrhythmia, asthma, pneumonitis, and cardiovascular mortality. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The first key factor for effective management of air pollution is to continuously monitor air quality by measuring PM concentrations.Most of the government agencies in the world employ sparsely distribute monitoring stations equipped with expensive and high-quality monitoring systems. However, the stations cannot effectively and accurately represent the pollutant gradients within cities, and it is even more difficult to assess air quality in indoor environment.…”

Importance of Air Quality Networks in Controlling Exposure to Air Pollution

“…Environmental emissions have a direct effect on the outdoor ambient pollution, as well as on indoor air quality, given that outdoor emission sources are responsible for the presence of air pollutants at indoor environments [11], due to the gases and particles infiltration.…”