Characteristics, Sources, and Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in PM10 at an Urban Site in Chengdu, Southwest China

Abstract

To investigate trace element pollution of PM 10 in urban Chengdu, a Southwest megacity of China, as well as to assess the human health risks caused by exposure to PM 10 , we analyzed ambient PM 10 samples collected at an urban site in Chengdu from November, 2014 to October, 2015. The annual mean concentration of PM 10 in the sampling period was 173.6 ± 77.9 µg m -3 , which is 2.5 times higher than the national recommended standard of 70 µg m -3 . The mean metals content in PM 10 was in the following order:The concentration of As in PM 10 was observed to be 2.9 times higher than the secondary level recommended by the China National Ambient Air Quality Standard (GB3095-2012), whereas the concentrations of other metals were within the limit. Enrichment factor analysis indicated that As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Sb mainly originated from anthropogenic sources. Five factors were identified by positive matric factorization (PMF) model. The sources identified were soil dust (48.4%), road dust (19.4%), fossil fuel combustion (14.9%), electroplating industry (13.8%), and metallurgy industry (3.5%). Particle morphology and chemical composition analysis revealed six major particle types, namely aluminosilicate, sulfur-containing, carbon-containing, chlorine-containing, biomass burning, and metal particles. The results of the health risk assessment indicated that Cr can be carcinogenic to both children and adults, and other trace elements were determined to be below the legislation threshold (Environmental Protection Agency limit values), except for As, which was observed to be above the threshold.

Elemental Composition of Particulate Matter in South-Asian Megacity (Faisalabad-Pakistan): Seasonal Behaviors, Source Apportionment and Health Risk Assessment

“…The elemental concentrations emerged in the present study were found to be higher than the nationwide inventories from (Faisalabad [36], Lahore [37], Islamabad [38]). The concentrations were also found higher than the reports from international cities such as (Dhaka [39], Chengdu [40], Istanbul [41], Milan [42]). https://doi.org/10.37358/RC.20.2.7928…”

Seasonal Variation and Sources of Elements in Urban Submicron and Fine Aerosol in Brno, Czech Republic

“…Increased concentrations of Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, Mg and Ti especially for PM2.5 fraction were found, which could indicate resuspension of soil dust in spring. Al, Ba, Fe, Mg and Ti comes predominantly from soil dust, and their emission is increased in warmer periods (Nordberg et al, 2015;Titos et al, 2014;Sarti et al, 2014, Rudnick andGao, 2003;Cheng et al, 2018). For Al, Ba, Ca, Mg and Ti the lowest concentrations were observed in winter or autumn.…”

Filterable PM2.5, Metallic Elements, and Organic Carbon Emissions from the Exhausts of Diesel Vehicles

“…Remarkably, they also found out that Cr(VI) is carcinogenic and has the potential to cause asthma, liver damage, and nasal septum perforation (Banu et al, 2017;Oruko et al, 2020). Furthermore, Ni may lead to nasal and lung cancer (Cheng et al, 2018). In most cases, Cr species can get into the eukaryotic system and cause impulsive reactions with the intracellular reductants, for instance, ascorbate and glutathione, causing the short-lived intermediates Cr(V) and/or Cr(IV), free radicals and the Cr(III) endproduct (Oruko et al, 2020).…”

“…It is commonly acknowledged that there is no standard method for regulating the worn metal content in lubricating oils, although this evidence is believed to be beneficial by most vehicle operators and owners (Watson, 2010). There are two techniques commonly used for the determination of worn metallic species in lubricating oils (Cheng et al, 2018). Spectrometric analysis provide data on the composition of metallic species emanating from wear on engine components and/or from contamination and also from the metallic salts' concentration in additives.…”