Source-Specific Health Risk of PM2.5-Bound Metals in a Typical Industrial City, Central China, 2021–2022

Abstract

In order to study the pollution characteristics, sources, and health risks of heavy metals in urban atmospheric PM2.5, samples were collected in Huangshi City from June 2021 to May 2022. The contents of 16 kinds of metal elements were analyzed by XRF, and the pollution degree and sources of elements were analyzed by the enrichment factor method, correlation analysis, and cluster analysis. The health risk of heavy metal elements was evaluated by the USEPA health risk assessment model. The results of enrichment factor analysis show that the metal elements carried by PM2.5 were affected by human emissions except for Ti. Heavy metals mainly come from industrial sources, motor vehicle sources, mixed combustion sources, and dust sources, according to correlation analysis and cluster analysis. Mn had a non-carcinogenic risk to children, and the non-carcinogenic risk of other elements to the human body was generally acceptable. The carcinogenic risks of Cr, As, Cd, and Co exceeded the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold (10−6 ~10−4), and there were potential carcinogenic risks.

Heavy Metals Content and Health Risk Assessment in Airborne Particulate from the Calabria Region, Southern Italy

“…PM contains sulfates, nitrates, ammonium ions, hydrogen ions, other inorganic ions (e.g., Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Cl − ), particle bound water, heavy metals, elemental carbon, and organic compounds [5,6]. The major urban causes of these PM-associated compounds are related to anthropogenic activities, such as mining, construction, industrial emissions, road traffic (motor vehicles, railways), various combustion processes, power plants, and domestic heating [7,8]. In particular, airborne particles with diameters lower than 10 µm (PM10) can affect climate and reduce visibility, as they participate in many significant atmospheric processes [9,10].…”