Personal Exposure of Children to Particle-Associated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Tianjin, China

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with fine particles are harmful to human health, particularly to children, who are most vulnerable. To evaluate the respiratory exposure of children to particle-associated PAHs properly, personal air sampling near breathing zone of 36 schoolchildren were conducted in Tianjin, China. Sixteen priority PAHs designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency were measured using GC-MS. The average concentrations of personal exposure to ∑₁₆PAH were 27.31 ± 3.91 ng/m³ in summer and 58.18 ± 24.68 ng/m³ in winter. Moreover, PAH profiles were studied and the results showed NAP, BbF, and IPY were the most abundant PAHs. Five rings PAH species made up the largest proportion, accounting for 25.7% in summer and 32.6% in winter. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis indicated combustion activities were the major source for children exposure to particle-associated PAHs in this study. According to the risk assessment results, the inhalation exposure risk for children were higher than the acceptable risk level of 10–⁶, indicating the health issues of children should be paid more attention. On the basis of sensitivity analysis results, further research should be done to improve the inhalation cancer slope factor of BaP and the concentration distribution of PAHs in order to improve the accuracy of the health risk assessment.

Key Words:

• children
• inhalation exposure
• Monte Carlo method
• PAHs
• risk assessment