Study on the Characteristics of Size-Segregated Particulate Water-Soluble Inorganic Ions and Potentially Toxic Metals during Wintertime in a High Population Residential Area in Beijing, China

Abstract

Airborne particulate matter (PM) pollution often occurs in the wintertime in northern China, posing a potential threat to human health. To date, there are limited studies about the metals and inorganic ions to link source apportionments and health risk assessments in the different size-segregated PM samples. In this study, our samples were collected by a high-volume air sampler from 26 December 2018 to 11 January 2019 in a high population residential area (Beijing). Water-soluble inorganic ions, metal elements in the different size-segregated PM samples were determined for health risk assessments by inhalation of PM. During the sampling period in Beijing, the average concentrations of PM1.1 and PM1.1–2.0 were 39.67 ± 10.66 μg m−3 and 32.25 ± 6.78 μg m−3. Distinct distribution profiles characterized the different elements. The markers of coal combustion Pb, As, and Se had >52% of their mass concentration in PM1.1. The average mass ratios of (NO3− + NO2−)/SO42−, Cl−/Na+, Cl−/K+, and Cl−/(NO3− + NO2−) were 1.68, 6.58, 6.18, and 0.57, which showed that coal combustion and vehicle emissions were the main anthropogenic sources of PM in Beijing in winter. PM1.1 was the major contributor of Pb, Cd, and As for carcinogenic risks (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ). It was indicated that PM1.1 is more harmful than coarse PM. The toxic elements of Cr (VI) (1.12 × 10−6), V (0.69 × 10−6), and As (0.41 × 10−6) caused higher CR for children than Ni, Cd, Co, and Pb. Meanwhile, Pb (35.30 × 10−6) and Ni (21.07 × 10−6) caused higher CR for adults than As, Cr (VI), V, Co, and Cd, especially PM1.1. This study provides detailed composition data and the first report on human health in a high population residential area in Beijing.

Levels, sources, and risk of heavy metals in soils from northwest and eastern industrial areas of China

“…The EF was calculated using the following equation (K. Xiao et al, 2021) (1): EF = (C soli /V soil ) / (C lithosphere /V lithosphere ) (1) where C and V were denoted the concentrations of heavy metals in soils and in the lithosphere (the outer layer of the earth's crust) (mg/kg), respectively. There is no generally recognized grade for EF.…”

“…There is no generally recognized grade for EF. The EF values < 1.0 indicate a possible mobilization or depletion of trace elements, while EF values > 1.0 indicate that the heavy metal has been in uenced by anthropogenic activities (Xiao et al, 2021) (Taati et al, 2020).…”

Chemical Composition, Source Appointment and Health Risk of PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 during Forest and Peatland Fires in Riau, Indonesia

“…To determine the risk to human health, the probability of noncarcinogenic risk was evaluated by the hazard quotient (HQ), and the carcinogenic risk (CR) was examined (Xiao et al, 2021). Fine particles can travel deep into the lower lung area and are primarily deposited in bronchioles and alveoli, so they are difficult to eliminate because the alveolar area does not have protective mucus layers; in the inhalation route, fine particles play an essential role in endangering human health (Reid et al, 2016).…”

“…According to US-EPA risk 431 management guidelines, CR is the likelihood that an individual will develop any cancer after being 432 exposed to a cancer risk during their lifetime, and the acceptable risk range for CR is between 1 × 433 10 -6 and 1 × 10 -4 (Sun et al, 2014). The hazard index (HI) is the sum of the HQs applied to examine 434 the overall potential for noncarcinogenic impacts caused by chemicals (Xiao et al, 2021). If HI or 435 HQ is higher than one, there are noncarcinogenic risks, and the probability increases as the value 436 of HI or HQ increases (US-EPA, 1989).…”

Overview of Vehicle Exhaust Particle Number Regulations

“…However, a study concluded that further controls on traffic emissions will have limited benefit in reducing the concentration of fine particles, except in countries where the use of diesel particle filters is not mandatory (e.g., outside the EU) [8,16]. Indeed, where policies and strategies are not implemented, air quality continues to worsen due to the increasing number of vehicles and power plants [17,18].…”