Quantitative cancer risk assessment and local mortality burden for ambient air pollution in an eastern Mediterranean City

Abstract

Health risks posed by ambient air pollutants to the urban Lebanese population have not been well characterized. The aim of this study is to assess cancer risk and mortality burden of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and particulates (PM) based on two field-sampling campaigns conducted during summer and winter seasons in Beirut. Seventy NMHCs were analyzed by TD-GC-FID. PM elemental carbon (EC) components were examined using a Lab OC-EC aerosol Analyzer, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed by GC-MS. The US EPA fraction-based approach was used to assess non-cancer hazard and cancer risk for the hydrocarbon mixture, and the UK Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) guidelines were followed to determine the PM attributable mortality burden. The average cumulative cancer risk exceeded the US EPA acceptable level (10) by 40-fold in the summer and 30-fold in the winter. Benzene was found to be the highest contributor to cancer risk (39-43%), followed by 1,3-butadiene (25-29%), both originating from traffic gasoline evaporation and combustion. The EC attributable average mortality fraction was 7.8-10%, while the average attributable number of deaths (AD) and years of life lost (YLL) were found to be 257-327 and 3086-3923, respectively. Our findings provide a baseline for future air monitoring programs, and for interventions aiming at reducing cancer risk in this population.

Seasonal variation of carbonaceous species in PM1 measured over residential area of Delhi, India

“…Mahilang et al [101] have observed the exposure of high value of inhalation dose of EC released in the ambient air during the firework activities. Dhaini et al [102] have also reported the high death rate and mortality rate of 7.8-10% due to exposure to increased concentration of EC. Long term exposure to the high concentration of EC can cause complicated heart disease (acute myocardial infarction) and death of the people [96].…”

Years of Life Lost (YLL) Due to Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Several previous environmental studies in countries worldwide have used YLL as a health indicator to investigate the association of ambient air pollution with health outcomes [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, most studies, such as Global burden of disease (GBD) research, have been on the effects of long-term exposure to air pollution on YLL [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. GBD collaborators reported the association between YLL and ambient air pollution in China in 2010 [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Cancer and non-cancer health risk assessment of occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene in a petrochemical plant in Iran

“…Furthermore, due to the high temperature of the production units at the time of sampling (August and September), that will exacerbate the levels of workers’ respiratory exposure, availability of standard local and dilution ventilation systems can considerably reduce the exposure of workers to 1,3-butadiene during work shifts. Previous studies have shown that air temperature is an important factor in the exposure to VOCs such as 1,3-butadiene, and the level of respiratory exposure in hot seasons is much higher than in the cold seasons (Anttinen-Klemetti et al, 2004; Dhaini et al, 2017).…”

“…There are many methods to determine the individual exposure levels in the workplace, and direct measurement of the contaminant concentration in the respiratory region of the individual is considered as the most reliable. Finally, after determining the relevant factors, measuring and evaluating the individual’s exposure to a specific substance, by using different risk assessment methods, diagrams, and dose–response values, the probability of generating negative effects in the studied population are calculated (Dhaini et al, 2017; Huy et al, 2018). Among all risk assessment methods, quantitative risk assessment methods have considerable importance.…”