PM 2.5 -Bound Toxic Elements in an Urban City in East China: Concentrations, Sources, and Health Risks

Lili Du, Yan Wang, Zhicheng Wu, Chenxiao Hou, Huiting Mao, Tao Li and Xiaoling Nie
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Lili Du: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
Yan Wang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
Zhicheng Wu: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
Chenxiao Hou: Environmental Monitoring Central Station of Shandong Province, Jinan 250101, China
Huiting Mao: Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Tao Li: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
Xiaoling Nie: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Concentrations of PM 2.5 -bound trace elements have increased in China, with increasing anthropogenic emissions. In this study, long-term measurements of PM 2.5 -bound trace elements were conducted from January 2014 to January 2015 in the urban city of Jinan, east China. A positive matrix factorization model (PMF) and health risk assessment were used to evaluate the sources and health risks of these elements, respectively. Compared with most Chinese megacities, there were higher levels of arsenic, manganese, lead, chromium, and zinc in this city. Coal combustion, the smelting industry, vehicle emission, and soil dust were identified as the primary sources of all the measured elements. Heating activities during the heating period led to a factor of 1.3–2.8 higher concentrations for PM 2.5 and all measured elements than those during the non-heating period. Cumulative non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of the toxic elements exceeded the safety levels by 8–15 and 10–18 times, respectively. Arsenic was the critical element having the greatest health risk. Coal combustion caused the highest risk among the four sources. This work provides scientific data for making targeted policies to control air pollutants and protect human health.

Keywords: elemental composition; PMF; human exposure; fine particles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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