Characteristics of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor PM2.5 of households in the Southwest part of Ulaanbaatar capital, Mongolia

Abstract

Air pollution, including PM2.5 concentration in Ulaanbaatar (capital of Mongolia) is a serious matter of concern. As the majority of households use coal in large areas of the city, indoor air quality is also posing a serious risk to human health. This study investigated the concentration of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) in indoor particulate matter (PM2.5) in 10 non-smoker households. Sampling was conducted in winter of 2018, between 27 January and 09 February. Concentrations of PM2.5 in the indoor air of households ranged between 62.8 and 324.8 µg m−3. Total concentration of PAHs also varied in a relatively wide range, between 46.2 and 175.7 ng m−3. Five-ring PAHs represented a considerably high fraction of total PAHs between 25 and 53%, benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were the two predominant compounds within five-ring PAHs. Significant correlation was found between indoor and outdoor particulate matter levels in wintertime. Considering individual characteristic PAHs, heavier PAHs homologues (4- to 5-ring and 6-ring PAHs) were detected in all households, which suggested the influence of coal combustion and traffic exhaust. Health risk of children attributed to PAHs inhalation was assessed by taking into account the lifetime-average daily dose (LADD) and corresponding lifetime cancer risk. Lifetime average daily dose for children in only one household were slightly higher than health-based guideline level (1.0 × 10−5), defined by WHO, whereas LADD for adults and children of other households were within acceptable limit. The cancer risks from the exposure of children to air pollutants in all households except HH-3 were found high. In the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay, according to the toxic unit (TU) values of indoor PM2.5 from ten households, all samples were classified as toxic.

Development of Quantitative Chemical Ionization Using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Ambient Nitro- and Oxy-PAHs and Its Applications

“…It has been reported that 9-NANT is emitted from direct sources, predominantly diesel engines, and is also formed in the atmosphere as a result of secondary reactions [ 43 , 44 ]. Ulaanbaatar generally uses biomass fuel and coal fuel (lignite) for household cooking and heating It is an urban area with high levels of PM and PAH pollution because of the use of solid fuels [ 45 ]. In Ulaanbaatar, the concentration of PAHs is high, and this causes high concentrations of NPAHs and OPAHs because of secondary formations.…”

Smoke and Spike: Benzo[a]pyrene Enhances SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection by Boosting NR4A2‐Induced ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Expression

“…[30,31] BaP is also a significant component of air pollutants. [32] Epidemiological studies have linked exposure to poor air quality and polluted materials with increased severity and mortality of COVID-19. [22,26,27,33] However, the specific effects of BaP on transcriptional regulation and viral infections have been scarcely investigated.…”