Particulate matter–bound organic compounds: levels, mutagenicity, and health risks

Abstract

Increased industrialization and consumption of fossil fuels in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP), Brazil, have caused a growth of the particulate matter emissions to the atmosphere and an increase in population health problems.Particulate and gaseous phase samples were collected in different short campaigns (2015, 2016, and 2017) near an urban-industrial area. Organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and its derivatives (nitro and oxy-PAH), n-alkanes, hopanes, and pesticides were determined. The Salmonella/microsome test confirmed the mutagenic activity of these samples.Among PAH, benzo(a)pyrene was detected as one of the most abundant compounds. Benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentrations for PAH and nitro-PAH, and 2 the associated risk of lung cancer showed values above those recommended in the literature. The profile of n-alkanes confirmed the predominance of anthropogenic sources. Pesticide concentrations and estimated risks, such as the daily inhalation exposure and hazard quotient, suggest that exposure to these compounds in this area may be dangerous to human health.

Saccharides as Particulate Matter Tracers of Biomass Burning: A Review

“…Any solid or liquid fuel combustion event generates airborne material that negatively affects air quality and health. This is due to the fact that volatile and unburnt products are inevitably generated by combustion processes that cannot in any way be ideal [ 1 , 2 ]. Such combustion events are the major sources of aerosols and exert significance influence on human health, air quality and global climate [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Impacto da queima de biomassa na concentração de compostos policíclicos aromáticos e na toxicidade >i<in vitro>/i< do material particulado atmosférico de Ribeirão Preto-SP

“…The LECR ranged from 9.4 × 10 − 7 to 3.7 × 10 − 5 , which corresponds to an excess of approximately 0.1-3.7 lung cancer cases per 100,000 people. These estimated cancer risk values were similar to those calculated here based on the B[a]P concentrations reported in the Amazon region (0.2-5.0 lung cancer cases per 100,000 people; de Oliveira Alves et al, 2015), but were 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than those calculated from data reported for the megacity of São Paulo, where there are high vehicular and industrial inputs (6-200 lung cancer cases per 100,000 people; Caumo et al, 2022).…”

Accumulation of Atmospheric PAHs in White Mustard – Can the Seeds Be Affected?

“…PM mass concentrations have shown a diminishing tendency in Europe due to more stringent regulations coupled with technological improvements (Daellenbach et al 2020 ), however, pollution from traffic, especially emission of diesel-powered vehicles, poses a serious environmental concern in Europe (Matthias et al 2020 ). Particles emitted by incomplete combustion carry a wide range of potentially toxic organic compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (Caumo et al 2022 ). Diesel engine exhaust was classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC 2014 ).…”