Health Risk Assessment of PM 2.5 and PM 2.5 -Bound Trace Elements in Thohoyandou, South Africa

Karl Kilbo Edlund, Felicia Killman, Peter Molnár, Johan Boman, Leo Stockfelt and Janine Wichmann
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Karl Kilbo Edlund: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
Felicia Killman: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
Peter Molnár: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
Johan Boman: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
Leo Stockfelt: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
Janine Wichmann: School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Gezina 0031, South Africa

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: We assessed the health risks of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) ambient air pollution and its trace elemental components in a rural South African community. Air pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. PM 2.5 samples were previously collected, April 2017 to April 2018, and PM 2.5 mass determined. The filters were analyzed for chemical composition. The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) health risk assessment method was applied. Reference doses were calculated from the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, South African National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and US EPA reference concentrations. Despite relatively moderate levels of PM 2.5 the health risks were substantial, especially for infants and children. The average annual PM 2.5 concentration was 11 µg/m 3 , which is above WHO guidelines, but below South African NAAQS. Adults were exposed to health risks from PM 2.5 during May to October, whereas infants and children were exposed to risk throughout the year. Particle-bound nickel posed both non-cancer and cancer risks. We conclude that PM 2.5 poses health risks in Thohoyandou, despite levels being compliant with yearly South African NAAQS. The results indicate that air quality standards need to be tightened and PM 2.5 levels lowered in South Africa.

Keywords: air pollution; PM 2.5; health risk assessment; children; South Africa; trace elements (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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