Dangerous organic chemicals identified in inhalable particulate matter air pollution

Abstract

Inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), comprising fine and thoracic coarse particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM_10-2.5, respectively), is emitted from several sources. The sources includes construction and agricultural activities, transportation, industrial processes, power plants, wildfires, household solid cookfuels and suspensions or re-suspensions from unpaved roads, mining and natural sources. Previous studies, specifically from developed countries and China have shown that PM₁₀ may contain several dangerous organic chemicals (DOCCs). However, very little is known about PM₁₀ in developing countries. Therefore is study seeks to identify the DOCCs in airborne PM₁₀ in Nagpur district, India. We collected 24-hr ambient PM₁₀ samples from urban, peri-urban and rural areas of the district during wintertime (January, 2013). The DOCCs in the PM₁₀ were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results revealed that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, phthalate esters, aldehydes, ketones, phenols and organic acids are major DOCCs in the PM₁₀. Quantitative analysis of thirteen individual PAHs in the PM₁₀ revealed concentrations that greatly exceeded health-based guideline. This suggests that prolong inhalation of such PM₁₀ may pose adverse risk to health of the population.