Concentrations of PAHs and other gaseous pollutants in the atmosphere of a rural area

Abstract

In this study, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to PM10 particles were measured in a Croatian rural area. Considering that by now only a limited number of studies have provided data on pollutant concentrations for rural areas, our aim was to do so by determining the PAH levels, their mutagenic effect and relationship with meteorological conditions and other gaseous pollutants (NO, NO2, NH3). In this investigation, samples of PM10 particles were collected on quartz filters for 1 month in the cold period and 1 month in the warm period of the year, 24 h a day. Diagnostic PAH concentration ratios and factor analysis were used as tools to identify and characterize the PAH sources. The PAHs found in the warm period of the year were characteristic for car exhaust emissions while the predominant source of these pollutants in the cold period was wood burning. The measurements showed much higher average concentrations of all PAHs in the cold period, most pronounced for fluoranthene 0.347 ng m(-3) and pyrene 0.223 ng m(-3). Mass concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in the cold period ranged from 0.057 to 1.526 ng m(-3), while in the warm period they varied from 0.009 to 0.111 ng m(-3). Mutagenicity related to BaP (BaPMeq) was significantly higher during the cold period (1.095 ng m(-3)) than in the warm period (0.101 ng m(-3)).

Associating Air Pollution with Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Assay Parameters in Lymphocytes of the General Population in Zagreb (Croatia)

“…Previous studies of air quality in continental Croatia have shown that ambient air is polluted with PM and PAHs, especially during the colder part of the year (heating season) [ 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 ]. Levels of ambient air pollutants measured in Zagreb during this study did not differ significantly from values obtained in earlier investigations [ 85 , 87 , 89 ].…”

Chemoresistance to Cancer Treatment: Benzo-α-Pyrene as Friend or Foe?

“…BaP contamination poses a serious health hazard to humans and those affected by diseases [ 25 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. It is well documented that exposure to BaP and other chemicals found in soot, cigarette smoke, and exhaust fumes is associated with cancer in humans [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 58 , 69 , 70 ]. Due to its lipophilic nature, BaP can easily cross the cell membrane and accumulate in cells where it complexes with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), stimulating its metabolism through induction of cytochrome P450 isoforms 1A1 (CYP1A1) and 1B1 (CYP1B1) [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Occupational exposure can result in very high levels of BaP accumulating in the human body. Limited studies have provided data on pollutants in rural areas [ 6 ]. In the rural areas the source of BaP would be burning wood for example.…”

“…In the rural areas the source of BaP would be burning wood for example. Concentrations of BaP depended on the season and ranged from 0.057 to 1.526 ng m 3 in the cold season whilst it ranged from 0.009 to 0.111 ng m 3 during the warm season in a study done in Croatia [ 6 ]. A major determinant of urban air genotoxicity is the fumes from traffic [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ].…”

“…The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon family contains hundreds of chemicals, of which benzo-α-pyrene (BaP) is the most studied due to its high levels in the environment and toxicity [ 1 , 2 ]. Sources of BaP include natural events such as the eruption of volcanoes, forest fires, and other sources such as exhaust fumes from cars and buses, cigarette smoke, and fried or roasted foods [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Areas that experience high volumes of vehicles such as cities and towns have higher levels of BaP in the environment than rural areas [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”