Influence of Traffic Emissions on the Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Outdoor Breathable Particles

Abstract

Because polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been proven to be toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic, there is widespread interest in analyzing and evaluating exposure to PAHs in atmospheric environments influenced by different emission sources. Because traffic emissions are one of the biggest sources of fine particles, more information on carcinogenic PAHs associated with fine particles needs to be provided. Aiming to further understand the impact of traffic particulate matter (PM) on human health, this study evaluated the influence of traffic on PM 10 (PM with aerodynamic diameter Ͻ10 m) and PM 2.5 (PM with aerodynamic diameter Ͻ2.5 m), considering their concentrations and compositions in carcinogenic PAHs. Samples were collected at one site influenced by traffic emissions and at one reference site using lowvolume samplers. Analysis of PAHs was performed by microwave-assisted extraction combined with liquid chromatography (MAE-LC); 17 PAHs, including 9 carcinogenic ones, were quantified. At the site influenced by traffic emissions, PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations were, respectively, 380 and 390% higher than at the background site. When influenced by traffic emissions, the total concentration of nine carcinogenic compounds (naphthalene, chrysene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b) fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, and dibenzo(a,l)pyrene) was increased by 2400 and 3000% in PM 10 and PM 2.5 , respectively; these nine carcinogenic compounds represented 68 and 74% of total PAHs (⌺ PAHs ) for PM 10 and PM 2.5 , respectively. All PAHs, including the carcinogenic compounds, were mainly present in fine particles. Considering the strong influence of these fine particles on human health, these conclusions are relevant for the development of strategies to protect public health.

Analysis of PAHs Associated with Particulate Matter PM2.5 in Two Places at the City of Cuernavaca, Morelos, México

“…All these places have the characteristic of being large urban areas with high vehicular activity. However, the average total concentration was higher than that reported in Atlanta, USA (1.52 ng·m −3 , Σ15 PAHs) [16], Wanqingsha, Hong Kong (19.3 ng·m −3 , Σ17 PAHs) [17] Porto, Portugal (13.3 ng·m −3 , Σ15 PAHs) [18] and Mount Taishan, China (7.05 ng·m −3 Σ15 PAHs) [19]. These results are consistent with the type of industrial and/or vehicular activities, which occur in this urban area.…”

Indoor Exposure and Health Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) via Public Facilities PM2.5, Korea (II)

“…As the same with the study of Kim et al (2013), the study shows that the acenaphthene marks the highest concentration among gaseous and particle PAHs. It is reported that the particle PAHs are detected from materials with 5-7 rings (Slezakova et al, 2010;Lizhong Zhu, 2009;Li et al, 2006) and the heavy-weight PAHs are mainly related to the particle materials (Pan et al, 2012). The study shows that the concentration distribution of the particle materials with more than 5 rings increases compared to the gaseous ones and the acenaphthene with 3 rings shows the highest concentration from all the facilities.…”

“…The PAHs with 2-3 rings are detected in the gaseous phase much and known that they mark relatively high concentrations and their emission sources are placed indoor (Castro et al, 2011;Slezakova et al, 2010;Lizhong Zhu, 2009;Fanf et al, 2004). The study also shows that the acenaphthene, phenanthrene, naphthalene and fluorene, PAHs with 2-3 benzene rings, mark high concentrations.…”

Traffic-Related Air Pollution: Legislation Versus Health and Environmental Effects

“…PAHs with low molecular weight are usually found more in the vapor phase, but the majority of compounds with four or more rings are mainly particulate-bound Srogi, 2007). The series of related studies performed in Oporto, Portugal Slezakova et al, 2010 showed that in urban environments with major influences of vehicular traffic emissions, on average 5 to 8% of total particulate PAH content was associated with bigger particles (i.e. PM 2.5-10 ) whereas 92-95% of total PAH content was present in PM 2.5 ; in a remote site 95 % of PAHs were PM 2.5 -bound .…”